1.9" Galena, Calcite and Sphalerite Association - Bulgaria

Galena, Calcite and Sphalerite Association - Bulgaria #41765

This specimen displays disks of calcite, topping a calcite druze. All of which coats a huge chunk of galena. Sphalerite can be found in small aggregations throughout this specimen.

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.

View All Mineral Specimens