Galena

Rare for the Tsumeb mine in Namibia, skeletal-hopper habit metallic grey Galena crystals form a fascinating intergrown group.  Individual hoppered crystals attain almost 2 cm in length and display various complex habits, some like elongated chisels and others, intertwined bent crystals.  As is often the case with Tsumeb Galena, the surface of the crystals have a naturally etched and micro-pitted texture with a resultant matt lustre.  Well crystallised Galena is relatively rare at Tsumeb and this is a great and unusual example.