2.6" Sphalerite, Galena, Chalcopyrite & Quartz Association - Bulgaria

Sphalerite, Galena, Chalcopyrite & Quartz Association - Bulgaria #41725

This specimen contains a beautiful variety of lustrous minerals, all of which formed from a sulfide rich matrix. This specimen has a very aesthetic display, with sphalerite crystals varying in size, covering the majority of the specimen. Quartz crystals can be seen protruding from the top and sides of this mineral cluster.

The Madan ore fields are located in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, near its border with Greece. This long stretch of mountain range in southeastern Europe is home to a variety of incredible minerals: sulfides in particular show a great variety here. The sulfides pyrite and arsenopyrite, both mined consistently from the Rhodopes, sometimes also contain gold ore. However, they also typically contain relatively high amounts of cyanide. Because of this, these sulfides must undergo an additional cyanide extraction process before the gold can be extracted and used.

Other sulfides like galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite can be found throughout this mountain range in all shapes and sizes.

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