Impressive and exceptionally heavy galena crystal cluster with calcite from the famous Madan mining district in the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria.
With an impressive weight of 689 g and dimensions of only approx. 93 × 65 × 55 mm, you notice how massive this specimen is the moment you pick it up. The high weight is characteristic of the very dense galena and illustrates how much galena is contained in this compact collector's piece.
The surface is dominated by countless metallic lead-grey to silvery lustrous galena crystals. The numerous clearly recognizable cubic crystal forms are particularly beautiful. Many crystals also show distinct stepped growth structures and complex, interlocking faces – typical and extremely attractive forms of galena.
Under direct light, the specimen develops an exceptionally strong metallic luster. Depending on the viewing angle, individual crystal faces reflect silvery, steel-grey, and occasionally slightly bluish hues. As a result, the appearance of the specimen changes with every movement.
Between the dark galena crystals is light-colored calcite, which appears partly as a fine crystalline coating and partly in small aggregates. The creamy white calcite forms a particularly beautiful contrast to the heavy, metallic-lustrous galena and further highlights the three-dimensional structure of the specimen.
The enormous variety of the galena surfaces is particularly interesting: in addition to clearly recognizable cubes, there are numerous stepped, intergrown, and multiply overgrown crystals. Further crystals continue into the depressions and small cavities, so that the specimen offers many details even from very close up.
Madan is one of the classic European localities for high-quality lead-zinc mineralization and is particularly well-known among collectors for its excellently crystallized galena, sphalerite, calcite, and sulfide specimens.
An exceptionally massive, strongly metallic shimmering museum and collector's piece with very characteristic galena crystallization.
Minerals: Galena with Calcite
Locality: Madan, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
Weight: 689 g
Size: approx. 93 × 65 × 55 mm
Unique item – You will receive exactly the mineral specimen shown in the photos.
