One of the most complex and visually captivating mineral specimens you'll ever encounter — and photos simply don't do it justice.
The Specimen
This remarkable piece weighs 136g and measures 4.5cm × 4cm × 3cm — a compact but incredibly complex specimen that rewards close inspection. The base material is Marmatite, an iron-rich variety of Sphalerite displaying a warm, golden honey colour. Layered across it are combinations of white Dolomite, gold Pyrite, silver Galena, colourless Quartz, and occasional Chalcopyrite — a mineralogical feast in a single hand-sized piece.
Origin: The Legendary Huxingshan Mine, Jiangxi
This specimen comes from the Huxingshan Au-Pb-Zn Mine, Dongxiang District, Fuzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, China — a locality with a near-mythical reputation among serious mineral collectors. The mine is still operating but producing almost no new specimens, making existing pieces increasingly rare and collectible.
What Makes Marmatite Special?
Marmatite (also known as Christophite) is an opaque, iron-rich variety of Sphalerite with warm golden honey tones. Sphalerite (ZnFeS) gets its name from the Greek sphaleros — "deceitful" — because its lustrous crystals are often mistaken for other minerals. It forms in hydrothermal vein deposits and high-temperature replacement deposits above 575°C, and has even been found in meteorites and lunar rocks.
A Mineralogical Cocktail
- Marmatite (Sphalerite var.) — large translucent golden crystals, many etched with "record keeper" markings
- Clear Quartz — sometimes with red Hematite inclusions
- White Dolomite — pearly contrast against the gold
- Pyrite — bright gold cubic crystals
- Galena — silver metallic lustre
- Chalcopyrite — dark yellow tetragonal tetrahedra
Bonus: Fluoresces bright orangish-yellow under longwave UV (365nm) with strong phosphorescence.
Metaphysical Properties
Sphalerite is a powerful grounding stone activating the lower three chakras, elevating courage, drive, and focus. A potent manifestation tool that amplifies positive intention and shields against negativity. It encourages self-belief, increases stamina and willpower, and may open psychic gifts.
Why Add This to Your Collection?
- Rare locality: Huxingshan is producing almost no new specimens — these are finite.
- Exceptional complexity: Multiple gem-grade minerals in a single piece.
- UV fluorescence & phosphorescence: A spectacular light show under UV.
- Record keeper crystals: Etched triangular markings prized by collectors.
- High collector demand: These go fast and straight into private collections.
Price: AUD $164.99
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