2.2" Sphalerite, Quartz, Calcite & Chalcopyrite - Bulgaria

Sphalerite, Quartz, Calcite & Chalcopyrite - Bulgaria #41722

One side of this specimen displays a druze of sphalerite micro-crystals, as well as quartz crystals that protrude from the sphalerite beneath. The opposite side of this specimen contains a mix of calcite and quartz crystals, with chalcopyrite cubes grasping to the edge.

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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