3.6" Galena With Sphalerite - Pine Point Mine, Canada

This specimen contains galena and sphalerite crystals, and was collected from the Pine Point Mine in Canada. The sphalerite formed as a druze, encrusting botryoidal structures from the matrix. Galena can be found in various crystal structures around the specimen. The beautiful layering of the crystals on matrix can be seen when viewing sections of the specimen where removal/extraction took place. This is a truly fascinating specimen.

Sphalerite is a part of the sulfide group and typically exhibits a grey/black appearance due to high concentrations of impurities. In its purest state, sphalerite's chemical composition is ZnS, and can display a gemmy transparent light tan/yellow color. This is one of the few minerals that can form crystals ranging anywhere between gemmy and transparent to opaque and metallic-like. Opaque or cloudy sphalerite tends to be most abundant since iron easily replaces zinc in the process of formation.

Galena is a lead-based mineral and the primary ore of lead, and has been used for its lead content for thousands of years. Galena typically displays a gray metallic luster and forms cubes or octahedral crystals. The chemical composition of galena is PbS.

While galena will not pose a health hazard by sitting on the shelf or even from casual handling, we suggest washing hands following handling due to the mineral's lead content.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Sphalerite & Galena
LOCATION
Pine Point Mine, Northwest Territories, Canada
SIZE
3.6 x 2.3"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#64516