Galena with Geocronite and Sphalerite on Fluorite

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Within the last few years Milpo mine in the remote Atacocha mining district, Pasco province, Peru has sprung to the attention of mineral collectors due to its stunning vivid green Fluorite crystals. However, somewhat overlooked are the richly crystallized associated sulphides and sulphosalts. This attractive large miniature specimen shows why we need to pay more attention to the diversity of species for it has the usual green (albeit a paler variety) Fluorite but which is mostly hidden by an overgrowth of wonderfully complex cubo-octahedral Galena crystals, many of which are elongated due to spinel-twinning. The largest of these crystals reaches 1.8 cm across. The base of the specimen is dominated by crystallized Geocronite with Sphalerite and minor Arsenopyrite. Within cavities small, but quite well-formed Geocronite crystals reach 3 mm across.