10.2" Octahedral Galena With Chalcopyrite, Barite & Quartz - Morocco

This unique specimen contains hundreds of metallic octahedral and cube-octahedral combination galena crystals, standing out from a sulphide rich, quartz druse coated matrix. This matrix also reveals large amounts of chalcopyrite, indicated by the lustrous red/gold color that's scattered around the specimen. The green color throughout the specimen is likely a result of copper oxidation. There is a small formation of blue barite crystals that formed towards one corner of the specimen.

The back side of this specimen contains many pockets that are filled with quartz druze, as well as a bladed barite cluster, which unfortunately doesn't present well with the assumed presentation layout. Comes with large display stand.

Galena is a lead-based mineral and the primary ore of lead, and has been used for its lead content for thousands of years. Galena typically displays a gray metallic luster and forms cubes or octahedral crystals. The chemical composition of galena is PbS.

While galena will not pose a health hazard by sitting on the shelf or even from casual handling, we suggest washing hands following handling due to the mineral's lead content.

Quartz is the name given to silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. Quartz crystals generally grow in silica-rich environments--usually igneous rocks or hydrothermal environments like geothermal waters--at temperatures between 100°C and 450°C, and usually under very high pressure. In either case, crystals will precipitate as temperatures cool, just as ice gradually forms when water freezes. Quartz veins are formed when open fissures are filled with hot water during the closing stages of mountain formation: these veins can be hundreds of millions of years old.

#{barite}
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Galena, Chalcopyrite, Barite & Quartz
LOCATION
Bou N'hass Mine, Er Rachidia Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
SIZE
10.2" long, 10.1" wide, weighs 11.8 lbs
CATEGORY
ITEM
#91118