GALENA. 2nd Sovetskii Mine, Dal'negorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia. ...

Description

GALENA
2nd Sovetskii Mine, Dal'negorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia

Other than a dacha on the Black Sea, this hefty, metallic object is one of the more attractive and valuable pieces of Russian real estate that one could own. And, unlike the dacha, it's portable. Collected in March of 1999, this mixture of golden Calcite and shiny Galena is not a small specimen or a light one, thanks to the many Galena crystals up to 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) across, and the massive Galena matrix. The Galena crystal forms range from cubic with interesting growth features on the faces, to identifiable cubo-octahedrons, and finally progressing to twinned crystals of Byzantine complexity. The highly reflective faces frequently show interesting patterns reminiscent of old style circuit boards. The Calcite crystals are the thematic opposite: instead of variable complexity: constant repetition of a simple rhombic shape. Instead of variable surface topography: always simple, planar faces with the same "satin" gold appearance. All of the Calcites are fairly equal in size: around .63 inch (1.6 cm) and two or three of the thirty or so, have minor nicks. Galena condition is uniformly pristine. All in all - an interesting study in contrasting elements.
Overall measurements: 10 x 7 x 3.5 inches (25.4 x 17.8 x 8.9 cm).

Provenance: North Star Minerals [Hoppel # D2045]

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