3.2" Yellow Calcite, Chalcopyrite and Galena Association - Missouri

This is a gorgeous, 3.2" wide association of galena, yellow calcite and chalcopyrite crystals. This mineral cluster was collected from the Sweetwater Mine in Reynolds County, Missouri and the calcite crystal is 1.9" long.

Calcite, CaCO3, is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Calcite crystals are trigonal-rhombohedral, though actual calcite rhombohedra are rare as natural crystals. However, they show a remarkable variety of habits including acute to obtuse rhombohedra, tabular forms, and prisms. Calcite exhibits several twinning types adding to the variety of observed forms. It may occur as fibrous, granular, lamellar, or compact. Cleavage is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form.

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.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite, Chalcopyrite & Galena
LOCATION
Sweetwater Mine, Viburnum Trend, Reynolds County, Missouri
SIZE
Calcite crystal: 1.9", entire specimen: 3.2 x 1.95"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#193779