Matlockite with Galena
specimen number:
1052749
location:
Cromford, Derbyshire, England, UK
description: Matlockite is a rare lead fluorochloride mineral that was first discovered from the historic mining area near Cromford in Derbyshire, England. Geologically, the mineral formed as a secondary oxidation product within the upper, supergene zones of carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits, where primary galena interacted with chlorine-bearing and fluorine-bearing groundwaters in limestone cavities. This specific geochemical environment allowed for the crystallization of tabular, translucent, yellowish crystals of matlockite, typically found associated with other secondary lead species such as phosgenite, cerussite, and anglesite. Historically, the lead mines around Cromford, including the famous Bage mine, operated primarily as underground shaft workings targeting rich galena veins during an active industrial peak in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. While physical specimens of the unrecognized mineral were first recovered from the mine workings around 1800, they initially sat misidentified as phosgenite in early private collections for decades until mineralogist Robert Philips Greg formally described and named the distinct species in 1851, shortly before declining ore reserves and heavy water-pumping expenses forced the permanent closure of the district's primary lead mines.
Old classic British specimen with a grouping of yellow lustrous matlockite crystals measuring to 0.5 cm across on matrix was cerussite and galena. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video. My guess is that this was collected around the mid 19th century.
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