Quartz with Galena, Sphalerite

specimen number:
2312294

location:
Baia de Aries, Maramures Co., Romania

description:
Glassy gemmy colorless crystals of quartz measuring to 3.0 cm in height coming off matrix with galena and sphalerite. This is a very good example from a locality seldom seen producing such material.

Baia de Aries, located in Alba County, Romania, has a mining history dating back to Roman times, with formal written records appearing as early as 1325. Geologically, the area is situated within the Apuseni Mountains metallogenic province, featuring hydrothermal ore mineralization hosted primarily in limestone and volcanic-associated structures. The mineralogy is renowned for polymetallic sulfide ores containing gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper, and it holds significance as the type locality for the telluride mineral sylvanite. Industrial extraction continued through centuries of state and private operations before commercial mining activity officially ceased and the site was permanently closed down in 2003 due to economic unprofitability.

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