Galena on Dolomite

A magnificent and beautifully crystallised Galena on Dolomite from Rupprichsroth (more likely spelt Ruppichteroth, than that on the label), Cologne, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Just what or where Rupprichsroth is in the vicinity of Cologne is unknown, but this locality is clearly written on the label dated II/16/12 (the II is upper case i’s), presumably 16th February 1912. The Galena crystals take many forms of the cuboctahedron, with several modifications and range from a few mm to 2 cm in diameter. The metallic silver crystals average about 1 cm in diameter, or just over, and all have a very bright lustre. The Galena sits on a bed of creamy-tan, saddle-shaped Dolomite crystals interspersed with micro-crystals of brilliant glassy Quartz. A spectacular cabinet specimen from this enigmatic location close to Cologne, complete with a very compact and professional looking old label.