Galena, Sphalerite

This classic Tri-State area specimen features well-formed, sharp, and lustrous silvery-grey clusters of cuboctahedral galena crystals which are accompanied by one main reddish-brown “Ruby Jack” sphalerite crystal on matrix. Highly displayable and with only minimal bruising, this is a desirable piece that comes from one of the best U.S. localities for the species.

Picher, Oklahoma, established in 1913 and now a ghost town, was once a major hub for lead and zinc mining in the heart of the Tri-State Mining District. For over a century, the town played a critical role in national mineral production, particularly for these essential industrial metals. However, decades of unrestricted subsurface excavation left most buildings dangerously undermined and surrounded by vast piles of toxic, metal-contaminated mine tailings, known as chat.

In 1983, Picher was included in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency due to cave-in risks, groundwater contamination, and the severe health impacts associated with lead exposure. A 1994 study found that 34% of children in the town suffered from lead poisoning, which can cause irreversible neurological damage. Despite remediation efforts, the EPA and the state of Oklahoma ultimately ordered a mandatory evacuation and buyout of the town, making Picher one of the most infamous environmental disaster zones in the United States.

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This specimen comes from the collection of Dr. Peter Tarassoff, a prominent figure in mineralogy, particularly known for his work at Mont Saint-Hilaire (MSH). His diligent collecting and examination efforts have led him to be the first to identify at least 35 species and discover 12 new species, not only at MSH but also at other alkaline localities. Dubbed the "Dean" of Mont Saint-Hilaire collectors, Peter was honoured with the naming of the new species petarasite in 1980. He has authored or co-authored numerous mineralogical articles and has been a member of the Mineralogical Association of Canada since 1964. Additionally, Peter has volunteered at the Redpath Museum for the past 21 years, where he was formally appointed the Honorary Curator of Mineralogy. In recognition of his significant contributions to mineralogy, Peter was awarded the 2017 Pinch Medal