CLEIOPHANE GALENA CRYSTALS

CLEIOPHANE GALENA CRYSTALS

A stunning Cleiophane Galena Crystal Specimen on a Quartz matrix.  Featuring many well formed crystals of Cleiophane – some on twinned Octocube Galena crystal forms.  A sprinkling of micro Chalcopyrite is noticeable.  Cleiophane is the gemmy or purer version of Sphalerite, sought after for its rarity and beauty.  An outstanding addition to the metals cabinet for a serious collector.  A real wow piece, my photos don’t do it justice.  Not common Cleiophane or twinned Octocube Galena to come by and at a bargain price.  The location is also classic of where some of the best Sphalerite, Galena and Quartz specimens are from.  Almost forgot to mention some amazing Mangano Calcite comes from here too.

Location:
Madan, Bulgaria.

Dimensions:
5.2cm x 4.6cm x 4.6cm, 102g.

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.

Galena:
PbS or (Pb,Ag,As,Sb,Cu)S.

Galena is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000 BC, it is found in ore veins with sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, etc.  and in skarns, as well as in sedimentary rocks where it may replace carbonate beds or be deposited in pore spaces.  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.

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