Galena with Sphalerite

specimen number:
2013594

location:
Shullsburg, Wisconsin, USA

description:
Lustrous octahedral crystals of galena very nice across the top of a crystallized marcasite cluster. This is in terrific condition all around and very nice for this old famous locality. Crystallized completely all around.

The Shullsburg mining district, located in Lafayette County within the Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc-Lead District, was a major hub for base metal production in Wisconsin. Geologically, the ore deposits are classified as Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) and occur as "pitch-and-flat" structures hosted in Ordovician-aged sedimentary rocks, specifically the Galena Dolomite and the Platteville Formation. These deposits formed as mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids filled fractures and bedding planes, precipitating significant quantities of sphalerite and galena, often associated with aesthetic marcasite and calcite crystals. Historically, mining in the area began with shallow lead "diggings" by early settlers in the 1820s, but the industry shifted toward large-scale underground zinc mining in the late 19th century as technology improved. Major operations, such as the Eagle-Picher and Shullsburg mines, were most active from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, providing vital raw materials during both World Wars. The decline of domestic ore prices led to the closure of the final large mines in the Shullsburg area by 1979. Today, the region is remembered for its rich industrial heritage and as a source of world-class mineral specimens, particularly its iridescent marcasite and golden-brown sphalerite.

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