Galena after Pyromorphite with Pyrite

specimen number:
2063294

location:
Kautenbach Mine, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

description:
Wonderful old time European classic with crystals of what were once quite large barrel shaped pyromorphite measuring to 2.0 cm in length, these across the top of a massive galena matrix and replaced completely by crystalline galena. This is in excellent condition. Botryoidal iridescent crystallized pyrite is present throughout. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark. A second label from the collection of L.L. Hubbard is present as well. This was likely acquired by Hubbard prior to 1900. Demark originally acquired the specimen in trade from the Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech University in 1997.

Located along the Moselle River in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, the Kautenbach Mine is an historic lead and zinc deposit worked primarily during the nineteenth century. The mine became globally famous among mineral collectors for its remarkable pseudomorphs, locally referred to as Blaubleierz (blue lead ore), where primary pyromorphite crystals were chemically altered and replaced by spongy galena in a unique hydrothermal reaction. These classic specimens feature sharp, barrel-shaped hexagonal crystal forms that retain the outward geometry of pyromorphite while being entirely composed of dark lead gray galena, making them highly prized historic pieces in major museum collections.

Lucius Lee Hubbard (1849-1933) was a prominent geologist, state geologist of Michigan, and mining executive in the Keweenaw copper district who served on the governing board of the Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Technological University). An avid mineral collector, Hubbard acquired an exceptional suite of regional copper district specimens and European classics. He generously donated half of his extensive mineral collection directly to Michigan Tech, helping lay the foundation for what grew into the world-renowned A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum.

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