Sphalerite with Talc, Quartz

specimen number:
2341245

location:
Ait Ahmane, Zagora, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
Yellow green glassy gemmy crystals of sphalerite, these twinned and measuring to 1.0 cm in size across a crystallized quartz matrix that is mostly coated with white talc. In very good condition. This is the variety of the species often called cleophane. Therefore good sphalerite crystals present. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen and dates to 2018.

Ait Ahmane, situated in the eastern sector of the Bou Azzer-El Graara inlier within the Anti-Atlas belt of Morocco, is a renowned mining locality with operations dating back to the mid-20th century. Geologically, the area is characterized by a Neoproterozoic ophiolitic sequence where serpentinized ultramafic rocks and quartz diorites are heavily faulted and hydrothermally altered. Mineralogically, the district is famous for its complex vein systems that yield cobalt arsenides, native silver, and nickel minerals, alongside striking associated specimens of cobaltian calcite and various secondary phases that attract mineral collectors globally.

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