Sphalerite Crystal Chipping Sodbury Quarry Gloucestershire UK Mineral Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Description

Genuine Sphalerite Crystal Specimen – Chipping Sodbury Quarry, Gloucestershire

This excellent Sphalerite specimen originates from the classic British locality of Chipping Sodbury Quarry in Gloucestershire, UK. Carefully selected for its quality and locality interest, this genuine mineral specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The photographs show the exact piece you will receive, and full sizing details are provided clearly in the listing images.

Sphalerite is a highly collectible sulfide mineral, valued for its rich colour tones, distinctive lustre, and importance as the primary ore of zinc. Specimens from well-known UK quarry localities are especially sought after by collectors of British minerals and historic geological sites.

Mineral Information – Sphalerite (Zinc Sulfide)

Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral with the chemical formula ZnS. It crystallises in the cubic crystal system and commonly forms tetrahedral or dodecahedral crystals, as well as granular or massive habits depending on formation conditions.

One of sphalerite’s most attractive features is its resinous to adamantine lustre, which can appear exceptionally bright on crystal faces. Colour varies widely based on iron content, ranging from honey-yellow and amber through reddish-brown to deep black.

Sphalerite has a Mohs hardness of approximately 3.5 to 4, meaning it should be handled carefully to preserve delicate crystal surfaces. It also exhibits perfect cleavage, which can produce reflective internal planes when viewed under strong light.

Geological Setting – Chipping Sodbury Quarry

Chipping Sodbury Quarry lies within the limestone-rich geology of Gloucestershire, part of a region shaped by ancient marine sedimentation during the Carboniferous period. These carbonate rocks later became host to mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids moving through fractures and bedding planes.

Sphalerite in such environments typically forms within hydrothermal vein systems, where hot, metal-bearing solutions deposited sulfide minerals as they cooled. This process often produces classic ore mineral associations, commonly including galena, calcite, baryte, and fluorite depending on the specific deposit.

British quarry localities like Chipping Sodbury are important for collectors because they preserve mineral examples from historically significant geological formations and mining-related mineralisation zones.

Collector Appeal and Display Value

Sphalerite is prized by collectors both for its scientific importance and its striking appearance. Its warm tones and glossy lustre make it an eye-catching addition to any mineral cabinet.

This specimen is ideal for:

• UK locality mineral collectors
• Collectors of classic sulfide ore minerals
• Educational geology and mining history displays
• Natural history enthusiasts
• Unique gifts for serious mineral collectors

In some traditions, sphalerite has been traditionally associated with spiritual symbolism, though it is primarily valued today for its mineralogical significance, ore history, and natural lustre.

Authenticity and Presentation

This sphalerite specimen from Chipping Sodbury Quarry, Gloucestershire, is a genuine natural mineral and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The piece shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, carefully chosen for its quality, locality interest, and collector presentation.

A Gloucestershire sphalerite specimen like this represents an excellent example of British hydrothermal mineralisation and makes a valuable addition to any collection focused on UK minerals, ore species, or classic quarry localities.