1.8" Glassy Yellow Anglesite Crystals on Galena - Morocco

This is a small cluster of vibrant yellow, glassy anglesite crystals within a cavity of the galena matrix. It was collected from the Touissit-Bou Beker mining district of Morocco, a location known for its stunning anglesite specimens. The entire specimen measures 1.8" wide, however the pocket of anglesite is 1.1" wide.

Anglesite is a secondary lead mineral (chemical formula PbSO4) that occurs as an oxidation product of the primary lead sulfide ore, galena. It can form from other lead sulfides, though galena is the most common. It has a Mohs hardness of only 2.5-3, which makes it roughly as soft as calcite. It occurs as prismatic orthorhombic crystals and in massive form.
It is named for its type locality at the Parys Mine on the Island of Anglesey, Wales in the United Kingdom.

Depending on impurities present during formation, anglesite can bear a variety of colors including brown, gray, green, orange, red, white, yellow, and sometimes black from galena impurities. In rare cases, anglesite can be multicolored. Watch out for amber-red anglesite from Touissit, Morocco. It has been synthetically colored by immersing light yellow crystals in bleach.

While anglesite 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.
FOR SALE
$145
DETAILS
SPECIES
Anglesite & Galena
LOCATION
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker mining district, Jerada Province, Morocco
SIZE
Entire Specimen: 1.8 x 1.7", Anglesite Pocket: 1.1" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#251510