Sphalerite with Quartz

specimen number:
8911182

location:
Emperius Mine, Creede, Mineral Co., Colorado, USA

description:
Classic Colorado specimen with a slightly translucent crystal of sphalerite measuring 2.2 cm across set on a purple crystallized quartz matrix. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the Alton collection.

The Emperius Mine, situated in the historic Creede Mining District of Mineral County, Colorado, taps into rich silver-bearing epithermal vein systems formed during the Oligocene epoch within the Creede Caldera complex. Hydrothermal fluids circulating through fractures in the local volcanic ash-flow tuffs deposited abundant silver ores alongside base metal sulfides, barite, quartz, and fluorite. Mining operations at the property gained momentum in the 1930s under the Emperius Mining Company, which consolidated several older claims along the Amethyst vein system and successfully operated through the mid-twentieth century. For mineral collectors, the mine is celebrated for producing exceptional fine-grained wire silver, lustrous sphalerite crystals, clear quartz crusts, and distinct pinkish rhodochrosite specimens that showcase the classic mineralization of the Creede district.

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