Galena - exotic form
stock #23.1-496
Fletcher Mine, Big Bear orebody, Vibernum Trend, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
6.1 x 1.1 x .9 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
A crazy form and a superb Galena crystal puzzle. This is a complete crystal with no point of attachment, no contacts or damage at all. A true "floater" this has bright metallic luster, gun-metal blue color and some iridescence. From a small find some time ago at the Fletcher Mine, these are not like any other Galena we have seen from anyplace. The form seems to us to be a spinel-twin habit but there is disagreement on this, some say they are elongated untwinned cube stacks. Time will tell as this is sorted out. Most faces are curved or bent and the form is certainly exotic. A very impressive Galena no matter the technical details.
From the historic Iron mining region of Egremont in the Cumberland region this is a choice combination specimen. The Hematite matrix has two main generations showing, the older, inner, is a botryoidal red Hematite while the newer is a sparkling crystalized black layer. Perched on the Hematites are several smoky Quartz crystals the largest just under 3 CM. A sprinkling of saddle-shaped Dolomite crystals adds a nice contrast. The is sharp, very lustrous and undamaged, the largest crystal has contacts on one side but no chipping or nicks. Old and classic, this from the last Iron Mine to work in England.
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