Description
This is a classic style Sphalerite-Galena combo from the old Lüderich Mine near Bensberg, close to Cologne. The Sphalerites, naturally well developed, are multifaced, excellent striated-nearly grooved and they are showing a dark brown colour, but they are still translucent. On one side of the specimen we see a group of also multifaced and partly Pyrite-coated, sharp crystals of Galena. This is a fine and almost undamaged oldtimer with a great patina,- resp. the specimen was never overcleaned. The old Lüderich Mine was, with interruprions, under construction since the 18th century and had his heydays around 1950. On October, 31 1978, the Lüderich mine closed after 126 years.