Sphalerite Crystal Cluster with Minor Rhodochrosite, Fluorescent Calcite, & Pyrite from Trepça Mines

This is a beautiful, natural crystal cluster with sphalerite, minor rhodochrosite, calcite, and pyrite. From the famous Trepça Mine complex in the Trepça Valley in Kosovo.
Size: 64 x 45 x 27 mm. 128 grams.

The calcite in this piece also glows beautiful mangano calcite red orange under long wave ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 365 nanometers. There is very little calcite on this piece.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a 395 nm light or a black light, it may not make this rock glow. A 365 nm long wave ultraviolet light was used in the fluorescent photos. If you have one those, you're all set! :)

Please let us know if you would like additional information on mineral fluorescence and ultraviolet lights. 🥰. We have 365 nm long wave fluorescent flashlights available for purchase.

The history of the Trepça Mines traces back the Middle Ages. Modern operations began with the establishment of Trepca Mining and Metallurgical Complex in the 1920s.

After World War II, the communist government nationalized all privately-held companies in Yugoslavia, including Trepca, and turned them into state-owned enterprisers.

The mine effectively went out of production as a result of the 1999 Kosovo war with Serbia. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, but the future of the Trepča mining complex remained uncertain throughout most of the 2000s and it fell into a state of disrepair.

The huge mining complex was put under government control in 2016 to save it from bankruptcy, and mining operations continue today.

Our supplier obtains the pieces directly from the operating mines.