Freieslebenite

Freieslebenite is a rare silver-lead sulphosalt which, in this cabinet specimen forms sub-millimetre dark grey metallic crystals, sometimes with a slight iridescent patina and often ragged, frayed terminations of a partly hackly appearance.  The Freieslebenite nestles between a rich spread of perfect metallic, silver-lead grey octahedral crystals up to about 1 mm on edge and the odd Tetrahedrite crystal of similar size.  This example of Freieslebenite is from the Hiendelaencina mining district in the province of Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.  It must be pointed out the Freieslebenite is not easy to recognise and requires diligent study.  The Freieslebenite, together with dozens of well-formed Galena crystals, occurs with drusy areas of colourless micro-crystals of Quartz lining shallow cavities pervading a creamy Calcite matrix.  The Calcite coats a strongly foliated deep tan-cream matrix of mixed Calcite, massive Quartz and laminated Mica.