Cleiophane – Madan, Bulgaria | Ref. 427

About this specimen

This fine cleiophane specimen from Madan displays numerous well-defined crystals in yellow-green to olive-brown tones, distributed over a white matrix. The many crystal faces catch the light and produce reflections that vary according to the angle from which the specimen is viewed.

Several larger crystals rise above a finer and abundant crystallisation. This specimen was collected in the 1990s.

Provenance

Cleiophane is a light-coloured variety of sphalerite, a zinc sulphide with the chemical formula ZnS, characterised by a low iron content. It may display colourless, white, yellow or greenish tones.

This specimen comes from the Madan mining district in Smolyan Province, Bulgaria. Located in the Central Rhodopes, this area is known for its lead and zinc mineralisation, notably associated with sphalerite and galena.

Dimensions and presentation

The specimen measures 55 mm in length, 31 mm in width and 32 mm in height. Its weight, including the base, is 100 g.

It is presented on an acrylic base.