Calcite on Sphalerite

specimen number:
2312051

location:
Herja mine, Maramures Co., Romania

description:
Colorless translucent rhombohedral curving crystals of calcite to 4.0 cm in size on a lustrous black sphalerite matrix. The sphalerite crystals exhibit twinning. This is in really good condition. Nice combination piece for this famous and long closed old locality.

The Herja Mine, located in Maramures County, Romania, within the Baia Mare metallogenic district, is a prominent polymetallic hydrothermal vein deposit. Its geology is closely tied to Neogene post-collisional volcanism and subvolcanic intrusions, which created an extensive network of over 260 complex veins hosted within sedimentary and volcanic formations. Mining activity in the surrounding area dates back to the Middle Ages, with industrial extraction focusing heavily on lead, zinc, copper, and silver ores. The mine gained international recognition among mineral collectors for its diverse assemblage of hydrothermal minerals, including distinct stibnite clusters, sulfosalts, and rare bicolored calcite spheres. Commercial operations at the site permanently ceased in 2005, closing the underground infrastructure.

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