Sphalerite on Calcite   Level 3,990, Ruby Ridge, Empire State Mine, Balmat, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected April 21, 2023.  This is an example of the amazing sphalerites first shown at the Dallas show in May of this year.  They are similar in luster to the new material found last year but lack the red cores and are a much brighter yellow color.  I don’t believe I am reaching when I say that these sphalerite crystals are among the finest known.  The combination of vibrant color, excellent transparency, and unusually high luster allow them to stand up well when compared to the finest from anywhere sphalerite is known.
This piece measures 5.6 x 4.3 x 3.6 cm showing a pair of gemmy sphalerite crystals measuring 1.6 cm collectively.  A much smaller crystal is on the end of a thin flange, which if considered a distraction, could be trimmed off very easily.  The sphalerite is on crystalline calcite and displays nicely a couple of different ways.  This is a very limited find and the demand will far exceed the small quantity that has been recovered.  $400