Galena with Quartz, Sphalerite and Calcite

I think I can speak for most collectors to say Galena displaying a ‘melted’ look, characteristic of Bulgaria and in this case, Romania, makes for stunning specimens. This beauty is from the Herja mine in Maramureș, Romania and is particularly gorgeous displaying flowing curved edges and corners. The combination of crystal habit, brilliant and glistening metallic lustre and super-smooth surfaces makes the Galena appear more like liquid mercury than a crystalline solid. The sub-parallel crystals sit on a matric of crystalline black metallic Sphalerite and scattered all over are micro-crystals of Calcite; i.e. crystals of perhaps only to 0.1 mm but in rich clusters. On the display face a 4 cm long string of milky Quartz crystals mark the boundary between the Sphalerite and Galena. A delightful cabinet specimen.