Cerussite with Galena

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The ancient lead mining area at Bleialf, Prüm, northern Eifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany had such an impact on the area that even the name mentions lead - 'Blei'. Although small dumps remain, rich lead-bearing mineral specimens are really only seen occasionally, and from the recycling of older collections. That is exactly where this fine Cerussite on Galena comes from, from the superb historic German suite assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021). It should be noted that the Cerussite crystals do show some light damage, but this is simply due to their considerable age and the rarity of mineral specimens from Bleialf. Showing the typical bladed to tabular form of Cerussite, at least one of the crystals forms a fine 8 mm wide, 'L'-, or 'V'-shaped twin and is slightly coloured orange-brown from iron oxides. Black botryoidal coatings of presumed manganese oxides are also evident