Calcite

specimen number:
2063866

location:
Galena, Cherokee Co., Kansas, USA

description:
A colorless opaque non-lustrous grouping of stacked rhombohedral calcite crystals, the overall effect a double terminated crystal 5.5 x 4.0 x 2.3 cm in size, on a breccia matrix. Very slight micro-damage present, still in good condition. This would date back to the 1960s. A previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark comes with the piece, it notes that this was collected by a Bill Walker's father.

Located in the Tri-State Mining District of southeastern Kansas, Galena was established in 1877 following the discovery of rich lead and zinc deposits within Mississippian limestone strata. Hydrothermal fluids circulating through fractured chert and dolomite beds deposited abundant galena and sphalerite, making the area a primary producer of lead ore for over half a century. Early shallow shafts gave way to extensive underground room-and-pillar mines that extracted vast quantities of sulfide ores until major operations ceased by the mid-twentieth century. Mineral collectors worldwide revere the Galena area for its exceptional historical specimens, which feature sharp cubic galena crystals, lustrous sphalerite, bright chalcopyrite, and magnificent gemmy brown calcite crystals associated with gray chert matrix.

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