Sphalerite, Picher Field, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, USA

Size: 12.4x8.1x3.3cm

Species: Sphalerite

Locality: Picher Field, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, USA

Description: Originating from a storied historic locality, this is an excellent cabinet specimen of lustrous red-orange sphalerite crystals that range from under a millimeter to over a centimeter across. The front features larger deep red, “ruby-jack” crystals, and the back of the piece is fully coated with smaller yet just as lustrous red-orange sphalerite. Picher Field was a productive lead-zinc mining district in the Tri-State area from the 1870s to the 1970s. Unfortunately, the town of Picher, OK was declared a “Superfund” hazardous waste site unsafe for habitation and disincorporated in 2009; it is now a ghost town.

Ex. Charles Noll Collection

ID: 23494