GALENA
Specimen gal-17
$ 50.00Dims: 2.1" x 1.9" x 1.6"(5.3 x 4.8 x 4.1 cm)
Wt: 6.55 oz.(185.7 g)
Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
The Galena crystals that make up the bulk of this specimen are some of the most intriguing that I have seen. Though their forms are somewhat rounded, there are definite tetrahedral and cubo-octahedral shapes. Some of these shapes are malformed; a lot of this malformation has to do with interpenetration twinning, of which there are many examples on this specimen. There are also all sorts of growth-related striations and patterns on the faces and edges of each crystal. All have the gray color and dull metallic luster that is common in Galena. The largest of these crystals is a cubo-octahedron with one complete face exposed that measures 0.7" (1.8 cm) along each edge. There is a "filler" of white crystalline calcite between the Galenas, along with some heavily fractured sphalerite and even a few sparkly nodules of pyrite or marcasite. A small wooden "elbow" has been hot-glued to the specimen so that it will stand up for better display. I have always liked this specimen because of its odd forms and the patterning on its faces.