Calcite with Quartz

specimen number:
2312417

location:
Angel Yanakiev Mine, Madan, Smolyan, Bulgaria

description:
Scalenohedral crystals of calcite measuring to 2.5 cm in size across a crystallized quartz matrix. Nice combination piece in great condition.

The Angel Yanakiev Mine, situated within the Karaaliev dol deposit of the famous Madan ore field in the Smolyan Province of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria, is an underground mining operation centered on polymetallic vein systems. Geologically, the region lies within the crystalline core of the Rhodope Massif, where Tertiary hydrothermal fluids invaded metamorphic schists and carbonate host rocks, creating rich sulfide-bearing veins. Mineralogically, the mine is celebrated by collectors worldwide for producing exceptional, high-luster specimens of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and chalcopyrite, often exhibiting sharp crystal forms and complex mineral associations. Historically, industrial-scale extraction across the Madan district accelerated during the mid-twentieth century under state-run programs, and while portions of the local network have transitioned or closed over the decades, specimen recovery continues to supply the global mineral market.

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