Sphalerite: Huanggang mines, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
Sphalerite: Huanggang mines, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
Description
Species: Sphalerite
Locality: Huanggang mines, Chifeng, Hexigten Banner, Inner Mongolia, China
Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.9 x 3.2 cm.
China’s Huanggang Mining Complex, probably the most diverse and important single locality in this exceptionally mineral-rich country, has produced some world-class examples of very low iron, gem-quality sphalerite. Found in the early 2010’s in a very limited limited number of pockets, these amazing GEM yellow sphalerites have intense color and great transparency, reminiscent of some of the finest gem sphalerites from Balmat New York (or Spain for that matter). This is a superb miniature, composed of an undamaged ‘floater’ group of bright yellow, very gemmy crystals with a waxy luster and interesting twinned form. Chinese sphalerites of this quality from Huanggang are few and far in between, and this is a choice example, mined around 2011. Mark Cross photo. Rare!!
