Galena, PbS (Lead Sulfide), is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfides. It is the main ore of lead and frequently contains valuable amounts of Silver and occasionally Zinc.

Description: A wonderfully rich specimen containing three important minerals. The Galena is particulalry striking being present as a number of deformed cubic crystals. The twinning of these is very interesting. Next comes the Calcite which is present as three glassy rhombohedral crystals. Whilst not very transparent they are nevertheless very well formed. Finally comes the Fluorite, which occurs as a number of cubes. Most of these are covered by a thin film of Calcite but can nevertheless easily be seen. However in the middle of the specimen is a large exposed twin showing two almost perfectly interpenetrated crystals. The clarity of these is stunning showing the interior twinning and the matrix below.

Location: Heights Quarry, Eastgate, Weardale, Co. Durham, England.