Galena with Calcite and Barite on Sphalerite

The mines of Peru have produced some remarkable crystallized base-metal sulphides and sulphosalts and the Huaron Mining District is one of the leading areas for fine Galena and Chalcopyrite crystals. Most of the best specimens came to the market during the early 1990s but as with many mineral occurrences in Peru, most specimens were damaged. Pristine, world-class material being the exception. This spectacular very large cabinet specimen of Galena is stunning in both its size, quality and aesthetics. Some Galena specimens from Huaron Mining District share similarities with Bulgarian samples - with spinel-twinning and hoppered skeletal crystals. This substantial specimen from Huaron Mining District is not only completely free from damage, but is liberally coated in eye-catching naturally etched/hoppered cubo-octahedral Galena crystals. These reach 1.4 cm across and have a beautiful blue-grey metallic appearance. A few blades of white Baryte overgrow small areas of the Galena, and Sphalerite forms the matrix. This is a really top quality Peruvian Galena and will look stunning on display in a large case.