THE GALENA SPECIES – 6-SIDED CUBES
GALENA – THE MARRIAGE OF LEAD ATOMS, (+) CHARGED, WITH (-) CHARGED SULFUR ATOMS,
IN A 1 : 1 RATIO: This ratio proves that the metal lead atom has only one extra electron in its outer orbit that it
wants to get rid of in order to complete its electrical neutrality, and likewise, each sulfur atom needs to receive
only one electron to complete its - not quite full - outer orbit, and to satisfy its electrical neutrality. So, lead (Pb)
and sulfur (S) must combine in a 1 : 1 ratio.
SUL-GAL-1. GALENA CUBES – RARE SKELETAL CUBES ON
QUARTZ – MADAN, BULGARIA: The mines near Madan city,
Bulgaria produced the only good examples of skeletal Galena
cubes the Proctors have seen. These skeletal cubes graphically
demonstrate that the formation of cubed Galenas (as with
octahedral Gold crystals) begins with the formation of only the
skeletal cube corners and connecting edges as seen here with
this remarkable cluster of skeletal Galena cubes growing into
Quartz crystals. This cube skeleton forms first, and then the
centers of the 6-cube faces form next and fill in last. If there is
not enough Galena (lead and sulfur atoms) in solution, or some
other geochemical condition is not right, then the six flat cube
faces cannot complete, and we then see concave, so-called,
hoppered crystals (as seen here). We must show this specimen
before we view the other cube specimens of Galena so we can
understand and get excited when we see hoppered crystals of
Galena, Pyrite or Gold. Specimen measures 4” wide and 2.5” high.
These crystals are pivotal to our understanding how cube and
octahedral crystals form. -Lynn Sim photograph
SUL-GAL-3. GALENA - CUBES WITH SMALL
PRE-OCTAHEDRAL (TRIANGULAR) CORNERS SWEETWATER MINE, MISSOURI: Specimen
measures 2” by 2”.
-Joe Budd photograph
SUL-GAL-2. GALENA – FOUR, HIGH TEMPERATURE FORMATION GALENA OCTAHEDRONS SITTING
NEAR A BIGGER, LOW TEMPERATURE FORMATION CUBED GALENA CRYSTAL WHICH RARELY
HAPPENS: Why? Sweetwater mine, Missouri. Specimen measures 3.75” high by 2” wide. -Joe Budd photograph
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GALENA CUBES AND CUBO-OCTAHEDRONS
SUL-GAL-4. GALENA - CUBES WITH TWISTED/CURVED/WAVY/SOFTENED CUBE FACES – MADAN,
BULGARIA: Seen here is a magnificent and unique Madan, Bulgaria cubed Galena specimen (according to the miners
… found very deep in a “hot” part of this mine). Looking closely we can see the eight cubes on the top of this
specimen (where the biggest curved cube is visible) displaying twisted and bent cube faces – looking like they
were created while in the process of hardening. The temperature conditions were so unique and intense this deep
in this mine that during or after the early crystal formation stage, the cube faces could not keep a straight face.
On the top right side of this specimen are four sharp cubes with small truncated (triangular), pre-octahedral
cube corners, one of which has ruptured and collapsed leaving only a deep triangular dimple hole in the center of
a triangle. Three other triangular cube corner faces we can see have only pin-holes that acted as a pressure
cooker release vent for releasing the trapped, super heated - supersaturated - expanding - Galena-steam solution
(plasma). This is another one-of-a-kind example the Proctors were able to liberate from a German/Bulgarian collection.
This time-capsule specimen graphically displays what happened deep in this mine maybe 30 million years ago.
However, these crystals – because they are so sharp - were not in the process of re-solution (going back and forth, into
and out of solution) like SUL-GAL-5 was. Specimen measures 5.5” wide by 4” tall (with the biggest wavy cube crystal
being on the top). IT IS AMAZING THAT EACH GREAT SPECIMEN HAS A STORY TO TELL IF WE ARE
THE CURIOUS TYPE AND TAKE TIME TO LOOK, IMAGINE, ASK QUESTIONS AND THINK AND
THEN – EACH TIME - WE MARVEL AT THESE FLOWERS OF THE MINERAL KINGDOM.
-Joe Budd photograph
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RE-SOLUTION GALENA CRYSTALS
-Joe Budd photograph
SUL-GAL-5. GALENA MELTED CUBES – RUPTURED
DIMPLES IN THE PROCESS OF RE-SOLUTION –
MADAN, BULGARIA: Seen here is one of the most
geochemically interesting and important specimens Keith
ever found (the only specimen of its type seen, and acquired
from a Bulgarian collection). In this Family Trust
collection, there are two re-solution Heliodor Beryls (GSBER-13 and 15) from the Volodarsk, Ukraine mining
area. The term re-solution means that in any chemical
formula describing - in symbols - a chemical reaction,
there are two center placed arrows in the formula pointing in opposite directions, meaning the reaction is
reversible. The two Volodarsk Heliodor Beryls went
partially back into solution, and then back out of solution
into crystal face formation several times until a certain
unknown equilibrium was reached, and then the two
Heliodors finally terminated as we see them today - with
their fingerprint hourglass and rectangular – negative face
– markings. Keith had never seen this process happen in
an ore mineral species like Galena until he found this
classic re-solution Galena specimen from Madan,
Bulgaria. This is a textbook example of re-solution
(melted appearing) Galena crystals. If we are observant,
every great specimen has a story to tell about its
formation. TO MARVEL OVER A SPECIMEN, IS A
REASON TO OWN IT.
Under examination, we see that this 7” wide by 3” high specimen displays many cube crystals that look like they
have been melted, but in actuality, they have gone back into solution, and then back out of solution into crystal
formation again – maybe several times - until they completed as much as they could, and now we see this sort of
stop action, snap-shot picture of their final stages of formation. We can see that many of these cube faces are
curved (but not for the same reason as in SUL-GAL-4). These are rare and classic Galena re-solution examples,
and at the same time, we can compare many of what were possibly originally completed dimples to the open holes,
with their melted rims, we now see = actually collapsed and ruptured dimples that started to go back into solution
after having originally completed. This is an absolutely amazing specimen that tells several stories.
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GALENA CUBO-OCTAHEDRONS: 14-SIDED CRYSTALS
(IF COMPLETE AND PERFECT)
SUL-GAL-6. GALENA – CLASSIC CUBO-OCTAHEDRAL CRYSTALS – NIKOLAI MINE, DAL’NEGORSK,
RUSSIA: Seen here is an extreme, atypically good example of superb cubo-octahedral Galena clusters from
Dal’negorsk. This heart-shaped specimen measures 5.5” wide and 4.5” high, and the Galena crystals are found
intermixed with the typical cast of Nikolai mine players, such as the zinc rich Sphalerite species, which provided the
base coat for the Galenas to grow on; then Chalcopyrites and thin white needle Calcites on top and the Pyrrhotites which
then formed last. Even the sequence of crystal deposition is often predictable and based upon the Electromotive
Force Series, which often dictates a typical and predictable sequence of depositions based upon the required
electron balancing conditions of the mine, and how easily electrons are released and transferred based upon their
energies. So there is a hidden reason why species appear where they do and with the Calcites and Quartzes on
top. So temperatures, pressures and even cooling rates all play a role.
Please study this specimen in detail. There are many collapsed and ruptured dimples which increase the beauty,
interest and crystal diversity of these cubo-octahedrons. The top left crystal on this heart shape (far left as shown) has
four dimples (two of them are collapsed and ruptured) to match the many crystals on the right. What caused these
dimples? As these Galena crystals formed, they grew around and eventually trapped inside bubbles of super-heated,
super saturated Galena = a steam Galena solution plasma, which is a fourth state of matter. As these crystals cooled, the
trapped steam, Galena solution, inside condensed and formed a vacuum which eventually sucked the crystal surface in
(while it was still soft), thus creating these dimples - many of which – in the process - broke open and changed the shape
of the Galenas. If these dimples are pin-pricked, the primordial solution oozes out, thus proving this analysis.
-Joe Budd photograph
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GALENA CUBO-OCTAHEDRONS: 14 FACES (IF PERFECT AND COMPLETE)
SUL-GAL-7. GALENA – CLASSIC 14-SIDED CUBOOCTAHEDRON ON MATRIX – NIKOLAI MINE,
DAL’NEGORSK, RUSSIA: Please examine this specimen
closely, and you can see that if this classic cubo-octahedral
crystal were not on matrix - and if we could see all sides –
then it would have fourteen faces (eight from the octahedron
shape combined with six from the cube shape). This Galena
cubo-octahedral crystal, with Quartz crystals at the
bottom, is exceptionally perfect, except we can see on one
of the corner faces on top a ruptured and collapsed
dimple that is open so we can see inside, where it is also
crystallized - see discussion about dimples on the SULGAL-6. Most of these dimpled or ruptured Galena crystals
came either from this Russian mine or from the 9th of
September Madan, Bulgaria mine. Specimen measures 2.5”
wide, 1.75” high and 2” deep.
-Joe Budd photograph
SUL-GAL-8. (right) GALENA
CUBO-OCTAHEDRAL
CRYSTAL CORNERS ON A BIG
GALENA CUBE – TRI-STATE
REGION, U.S.A.: Fine cubooctahedral specimens from the
famed tri-state region of America
(the mining region where the
corners of Kansas, Oklahoma and
Missouri meet) are very highly
prized and sought after, and are
almost extinct on the market
because they are so different from
most worldwide Galenas. To quote
American Galena collectors …
“they are home-grown American
specimens”. This specimen – on
matrix - is one of the primo
surviving examples. It consists of
a 1.5” long by 1.25” wide
beautifully cubed crystal, with all
four of its top cube corners
dominated by sculptural cubooctahedrons, which overhang all
four corners thus making this
crystal appear to be bigger. This
magnificent assemblage is perched
on the corner of a grey colored
chert matrix so common to this
region. Specimen measures 2.5”
wide, 3” deep and 2” thick. Tristate region, U.S.A..
-Joe Budd photograph
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GALENA (continued)
BEST CUBO-OCTAHEDRAL SINGLE CRYSTAL WITH OCTAHEDRONS
SUL-GAL-9. GALENA MINIATURE – MOST CLASSIC CUBO-OCTAHEDRON WITH, OCTAHEDRAL
CRYSTALS ON A CORNER POINT OF A CUBE CRYSTAL - SINGLE FLOATER CRYSTAL, TRI-STATE
REGION, USA: The Proctors have kept and enjoyed this most unique single Galena crystal (measuring 2” wide, 1.5”
high, and 1.25” thick) for over thirty years because it is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece sculpture. This front view shows
stepped octahedrons on the right and an uncommon 6-sided flat crystal on top (which is a diagnostic fingerprint crystal
illustrating a perfect cubo-octahedral face), in addition to fantastic texturing on the front (cube) face. The right side
shows the five stepped octahedrons from a different angle (some with flat points). This single crystal is a floater with no
apparent point of contact. It reminds the Proctors a lot of a Mayan temple in Central America. Doesn’t it look like it
was computer designed and machine made by an intelligent being (we might call God) or maybe an alien or two from
outer space? Please compare this specimen with the previous specimen also from the same famous tri-state mining
-Joe Budd photograph
region (see SUL-GAL-8).
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GALENA - SIX TYPES OF SPINEL-LAW TWIN SPECIMENS
SUL-GAL-10. GALENA
SPINEL TWIN WITH
QUARTZ – NINTH OF
SEPTEMBER MINE, MADAN,
BULGARIA: This specimen
exhibits a perfect and brilliant
spinel-law-twinned crystal in the
center of this crystal cluster, and
it is surrounded by Quartz
crystals on both sides – which
specimen measures 4.5” wide by
2.5” high. This diagonally
placed, classic Spinal-law
twinned crystal goes from eight
o’clock (on the bottom left) to
two o’clock (on the right), with a
valley between both halves, and
we are looking at the top of the
spinel-law twinned crystal.
-Joe Budd photograph
SUL-GAL-11. GALENA - SPINEL-LAWTWINNED CRYSTALS ON QUARTZ –
SIXTEENTH OF SEPTEMBER MINE MADAN, BULGARIA: The best spinel twin
specimens have been found at the Madan,
Bulgaria mines, and the Nikolai mine in the
Dal’negorsk, Russia complex of five mines.
This specimen measures 6.5” wide by 5.5” high
and it displays cubes, and flat spinel-law twin
and highly modified. We can recognize a
Madan, Bulgaria spinel-twin structure by a
sort of flat assemblage of crystals with all the
crystal faces being flat and triangular. The
back half of the spinel-twin is usually
identical to the front half – again all with
triangular (octahedral faces). There are no
complete – three dimensional, pyramid
shaped– octahedrons in these spinel-twin
structures. The bottom right spinel-twinned
crystal seen here (which is an oblong oval
running diagonally from eight o’clock on the
bottom left to two o’clock on the top right) is
unusual in that it has an obvious, classic, narrow
canyon dividing the front and back halves of this
twinned cluster. Please compare this bottom
spinel-law twin with the twice as large top,
oval-shaped, spinel twin structure which also
has a canyon separating the two halves. The
Madan twins don’t get any better than this
example. How many spinel twin clusters can
you see on this specimen?
-Joe Budd photo
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GALENA SPINEL-LAW-TWINNED
TWINNED CRYSTALS = TEN HUGE CRYSTALS
SUL-GAL-12. GALENA –
TEN UNIQUE AND WIDE,
SPINEL-LAW-TWINS =
WORLD-CLASS
DISPLAY/MUSEUM
SPECIMEN – MADAN,
BULGARIA: Deep down in
one mine at the Madan,
Bulgaria complex of mines,
were found possibly the
rarest, largest and most
beautiful, completely
flattened, spinel-law
twinned crystals ever seen –some with 4” wide brilliant crystals flashing their hundreds of flat, narrow, elongated and
highly lined faces at us. This specimen displays a type of spinel
spinel-twin
twin pattern found in no other mine. These twins are
layered on top with no obvious canyons, and wit
with fewer triangular faces these are quite different from the previous
specimen. There are ten, wide and very flat sspinel-twin crystals (all at different angles to each other)
other on this huge
glittering museum specimen measuring 8.5” tall
tall, 5.5” wide, and 4” thick. Note the ever present, diagnostic, triangular
faces especially on the bottom twinned face. This amazing lead rich specimen must weigh ten pounds and is
certainly one of the truly great Galena spinel
spinel-law twin specimens. Some of the wide and flat spinel-twins
spi
have
Quartzes on top which define the spinel-twin
twin edges below, which add to the beauty, wonder and enjoyment of this
specimen. From Madan, Bulgaria. This one mine produced only a handful of specimens with this magnificent
presentation.
-Joe Budd photograph
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GALENA SPINEL-LAW TWINS
SUL-GAL-13 and 14. GALENA – TWO SPINEL-LAW TWIN SINGLE CRYSTALS – BUICK MINE, MISSOURI:
Here we see – side by side – two very rare, sharp, Buick mine - single crystal - Spinel-law twins. Please note the very
different and rare termination shapes on the tips of these two Galena crystals. These two crystals are very similar in
shape to some Spinel-law twins from the Nikolai mine at Dal’negorsk, Russia. Each specimen measures 1.5” tall.
SUL-GAL-13
SUL-GAL-14
-Joe Budd photograph
SUL-GAL-15. GALENA: This
superb and completely different
Galena spinel-law twin – from
the previous examples. It is of a
unique crystallography and
came from Naica, Mexico. This
is an exceedingly rare example
of a flattened, pseudohexagonal Spinel-law twinned
crystal with unbelievably
detailed surface texturing.
Pictured in the famous John
Barlow Collection book – page
346. All these different shapes
we have seen in various Spinellaw twinned specimens
graphically illustrate the effects
that differing pressures,
temperatures and cooling rates
have on a basic crystal structure
from the differing geochemical
environments existing in
different mines. Specimen
measures 1.5” high by 2” wide.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
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