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Galena
Galena is a lead sulfide belonging to the mineralogical group of the same name; it is the primary ore mineral of lead. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system and often shows octahedral forms. These forms can be combined and rarely form thin layers and twins. The crystals are lead grey and occur in granular, coarse or compact, skeletal or stalactite aggregates; they have metallic lustre and opaque transparency. The crystals are bright when fresh but often tarnish after exposure to air; in the latter case the galena appears to be altered by weathering and partially transformed into lead carbonates, oxides and sulphates. The surface of the crystals is often rough, sometimes covered with quartz, calcite and chalcopyrite.
Often the galena contains small percentages of silver and for this reason it is also called argentiferous galena. It is often associated with minerals such as sphalerite, calcite and fluorite. It is found in ore veins of hydrothermal origin, with sphalerite, pyrite and chalcopyrite.
The largest deposits are located in the United States (Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho), England (Cumberland), Australia (Broken Hill and Mount Isa), Germany (Erzgebirge), Mexico (Eulalia) , Bulgaria (Rodophe mountains) and in the ancient mines of Sardinia. Large crystals are also found in the Stříbro deposit, near Příbram, in the Czech Republic.
In the past, galena was extracted more for its silver content than for the production of lead. In the last century, before the fall in the price of silver, this precious metal took on interesting economic connotations as a highly profitable by-product of the galena mines. It was used as the crystal in crystal radio receivers, in which it was used as a point-contact diode capable of rectifying alternating current to detect the radio signals. It is also used in a green glaze applied to pottery.
Galena and Quartz
171mm
€375.00 Ex Tax: €375.00
Originating from Bulgaria, this specimen has two minerals such as galena and quartz.The galena crystallizes in the cubic or octahedral system while the quartz crystallizes in the trigonal system.Here ..
Pink Mangano Calcite on Galena and Pyrite
Bulgaria
6,818g
€450.00 Ex Tax: €450.00
Mineral formation composed of a large amount of galena and pyrite which form the matrix for manganese pink calcite crystals. This exceptional specimen comes from the mines of Kruchev Dol, located in B..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
6,818g
€450.00 Ex Tax: €450.00
A fantastic specimen composed of a Calcite matrix interspersed with luminous and sparkling cubic Pyrite.A contrast of colors that gives the mineral brightness and highlights every type of crystallizat..
Galena and Quartz
Bulgaria
160mm
€300.00 Ex Tax: €300.00
The beauty of this sample of galena and quartz is given by the presence of small quartz crystals that cover the entire surface.The chromatic contrast between the two minerals is truly unique. Mother N..
Galena, Pyrite, Quartz
Bulgaria
1,860g
€250.00 Ex Tax: €250.00
Fantastic agglomeration of minerals composed of Quartz crystals that sprout from a matrix with blocks of Galena and cubic Pyrite.Very charming specimen of extra quality, coming from the Madan mines in..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
5,250g
€380.00 Ex Tax: €380.00
Magnificent specimen of Galena with Pyrite an Quartz, we often find these minerals in association.Note the perfectly cubic pyrite crystals that are naturally perfectly formed between very white ..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
2,180g
€750.00 Ex Tax: €750.00
Superb block of crystals, composed of a Galena matrix from which a myriad of Quartz tips alternate with beautiful cubic Pyrite emerge.A contrast of fascinating colors and shapes for a collector's item..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz, Hematite
Bulgaria
240g
€125.00 Ex Tax: €125.00
Superb block of crystals, composed of a Galena matrix from which emerge a myriad of quartz points with some small specimens of cubic pyrite and hematite that contribute to the uniqueness of the piece...
Galena and Quartz
171mm
€375.00 Ex Tax: €375.00
Originating from Bulgaria, this specimen has two minerals such as galena and quartz.The galena crystallizes in the cubic or octahedral system while the quartz crystallizes in the trigonal system.Here ..
Pink Mangano Calcite on Galena and Pyrite
Bulgaria
6,818g
€450.00 Ex Tax: €450.00
Mineral formation composed of a large amount of galena and pyrite which form the matrix for manganese pink calcite crystals. This exceptional specimen comes from the mines of Kruchev Dol, located in B..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
6,818g
€450.00 Ex Tax: €450.00
A fantastic specimen composed of a Calcite matrix interspersed with luminous and sparkling cubic Pyrite.A contrast of colors that gives the mineral brightness and highlights every type of crystallizat..
Galena and Quartz
Bulgaria
160mm
€300.00 Ex Tax: €300.00
The beauty of this sample of galena and quartz is given by the presence of small quartz crystals that cover the entire surface.The chromatic contrast between the two minerals is truly unique. Mother N..
Galena, Pyrite, Quartz
Bulgaria
1,860g
€250.00 Ex Tax: €250.00
Fantastic agglomeration of minerals composed of Quartz crystals that sprout from a matrix with blocks of Galena and cubic Pyrite.Very charming specimen of extra quality, coming from the Madan mines in..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
5,250g
€380.00 Ex Tax: €380.00
Magnificent specimen of Galena with Pyrite an Quartz, we often find these minerals in association.Note the perfectly cubic pyrite crystals that are naturally perfectly formed between very white ..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz
Bulgaria
2,180g
€750.00 Ex Tax: €750.00
Superb block of crystals, composed of a Galena matrix from which a myriad of Quartz tips alternate with beautiful cubic Pyrite emerge.A contrast of fascinating colors and shapes for a collector's item..
Pyrite, Galena, Quartz, Hematite
Bulgaria
240g
€125.00 Ex Tax: €125.00
Superb block of crystals, composed of a Galena matrix from which emerge a myriad of quartz points with some small specimens of cubic pyrite and hematite that contribute to the uniqueness of the piece...