Tri-State District, Missouri

This is an old specimen from the long defunct Tri-State mining district. The Tri-State mining district is in southwestern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, and northeastern Oklahoma. From 1850 to 1950 it was one of the leading zinc and lead producing areas in the world. At one time, 11,000 miners were employed in over 4,000 mines. It is not known from which mine this specimen came; this is common with the vast majority of specimens from this district. This specimen is notable for having an iridescent tarnish on the Sphalerite. Iridescent Sphalerite from this region is occasionally seen in old collections but it was far from common. This tarnish is primarily blue with some light purple. There are also small Chalcopyrite crystals which exhibit epitaxial growth to the Sphalerite. There is also some minor druze Quartz. The specimen is in fair condition with some wear.

5.3 x 4.8 x 4.6 cm

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