Quartz with Hematite, Calcite

specimen number:
2312092

location:
Krushev dol Mine, Madan, Smolyan, Bulgaria

description:
Beautiful glassy gemmy crystals of quartz, these slightly reddish in color due to iron oxides, across the front of matrix. Small crystals of calcite are scattered throughout. In great condition and very attractive.

The Krushev Dol Mine, located in the Madan Municipality of Smolyan Province, Bulgaria, is part of the central Rhodope metallogenic zone within the Madan lead-zinc ore field. The geology of the deposit consists of high-grade metamorphic basement rocks intersected by fault systems that channeled hydrothermal fluids, resulting in quartz-sulfide veins and replacement skarn bodies. Mining activity in the Madan region dates back to antiquity, with historical extraction beginning during the Thracian period and continuing through Roman and medieval times. Modern industrial exploitation expanded significantly during the twentieth century, transforming the area into an active producer of base metals. Underground mining operations in the Krushev Dol deposit exposed open cavities containing quartz, galena, and sphalerite, including transparent olive-green sphalerite crystals.

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