SPHALERITE CALCITE GALENA
An outstanding Sphalerite Calcite Galena Crystal Cluster. Some terminated crystals clustered with Quartz, Galena, Calcite and Chalcopyrite. This specimen would grace any collection and is from one of the premier locations for this mineral. A super piece, my photos don’t do it justice. This specimen is mounted on a perspex pad for enhanced display.
Location:
Madan, Bulgaria.
Dimensions:
12.5cm x 10.6cm x 3.8cm, 550g.
Sphalerite: ZnS.
Sphalerite, also known as Blende or Zinc Blende, is the major ore of zinc. When pure (with little or no iron) it forms clear crystals with colours ranging from pale yellow (known as Cleiophane) to orange and red shades (known as Ruby Blende), but as iron content increases it forms dark, opaque metallic crystals (known as Marmatite).
Quartz: SiO2.
Quartz is the most common mineral found on the surface of the Earth. A significant component of many igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. There are many names for different varieties.
Galena: PbS or (Pb,Ag,As,Sb,Cu)S.
Is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000 BC, found in ore veins with Sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite and tetrahedrite. The crystals are bright when fresh but often tarnish after exposure to air and especially when people touch it. Lead sulfide may contain impurities, such as silver, arsenic, antimony, and copper.
Mangano Calcite:
(Ca,Mn)CO3.
Chalcopyrite: CuFeS2.
A major ore of copper. Common in sulfide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks.
Weathering may lead to the formation of malachite, azurite, brochantite, langite and numerous other secondary copper minerals.