2.1" Galena and Chalcopyrite Crystal Association - Bulgaria

This specimen contains an aggregation of metallic galena crystals, surrounded by what looks to be small quartz crystals along the edge. This specimen displays matrix inclusions of chalcopyrite, which can be seen by looking at what could be considered the base of this specimen.

The Madan ore fields are located in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, near its border with Greece. This long stretch of mountain range in southeastern Europe is home to a variety of incredible minerals: sulfides in particular show a great variety here. The sulfides pyrite and arsenopyrite, both mined consistently from the Rhodopes, sometimes also contain gold ore. However, they also typically contain relatively high amounts of cyanide. Because of this, these sulfides must undergo an additional cyanide extraction process before the gold can be extracted and used.

Other sulfides like galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite can be found throughout this mountain range in all shapes and sizes.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Galena & Chalcopyrite
LOCATION
Borieva mine, Madan ore field, Bulgaria.
SIZE
2.1" long, 1.25" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#41749