Sphalerite

The Plaka mining district to the north of the Kamariza mines was actually the most productive district in the Lavrion region, although perhaps not so well known to collectors. Sphalerite from Plaka, especially well crystallised specimens like this, are very rarely seen, so this could fill a gap in many a Lavrion suite. The Sphalerite forms sharp tetrahedral crystals, all with many modifications, each averaging around 0.8 cm across. Most are opaque metallic black with a translucent light grey patina, although occasional crystals are light clove brown and translucent throughout. The Sphalerite sits on a creamy-white thin matrix which, under high magnification, is composed of glassy and colourless micro-crystals of Quartz. An excellent specimen of Sphalerite from the Plaka mines on the Attica Peninsula of Greece.