Bournonite and sphalérite - Les Malines mine, Saint-Laurent-le-Minier, Gard, France

An unusual piece for the Malines mine: on the front, the bournonite and sphalerite contrast superbly with the whiteness of the underlying dolomitic matrix, usually grey. On the back, we find a more classical facies: notched wheels of bournonite associated with numerous bright red sphalerite crystals of variable size (from a millimeter to a few millimeters). Specimen from the Sanguinède sector and extracted in 1985/1990.

Note that the crystals have their natural patina and have not been polished with a wire brush, as is has often used to be.

Previously kept in Alain Martaud's collection (label provided).

11,5 x 7,3 x 8,5 cm.