Galena with Sphalerite, Quartz

specimen number:
2312070

location:
Osikovo deposit, Septemvri Mine, Madan, Smolyan, Bulgaria

description:
Lustrous cubic crystals of galena to 2.0 cm on edge across the top of a crystallized quartz matrix with lustrous black crystals of sphalerite. Great cabinet sized combination piece, in fine condition.

The Osikovo deposit, associated with the Septemvri Mine (historically known as the Ninth of September Mine) in the Madan ore field of Smolyan Province, Bulgaria, is part of a renowned lead, zinc, and silver mining district with a history of extraction dating back to ancient Thracian and Roman times. Modern industrial scale mining expanded significantly during the twentieth century. Geologically, the deposit lies within the Rhodope Mountains, where Precambrian metamorphic rocks and marbles are cut by hydrothermal veins formed during Alpine tectonic and magmatic events. The interaction of hot, metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids with reactive carbonate rocks produced extensive metasomatic skarn zones and open vugs. These underground pockets are internationally famous among mineral collectors for yielding exceptionally well-crystallized specimens of galena, sphalerite (including cleiophane varieties), quartz, calcite, dolomite, and chalcopyrite.

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