“Joplin,” is a blanket locality used for the hundreds of hydrothermal sulfide deposits that were located in the Mississippi Valley. The area was first mined in 1719 and was incredibly prolific up until the 1970s, producing a variety of ore and mineral species.

Its galena was of particular distinction, the best examples having formed in sharp, lustrous, sizeable cubes.

This is a handsome example consisting of two, large, precise galena cubes that have intergrown “just so,” with their sharp geometry on full display. Their dark, silver color and metallic luster give the crystals a contemporary look and are wonderfully complemented in tone and contrasted in texture by golden, shimmering pyrite.

Modern in its aesthetics yet considered an old, American classic, this example would make a great addition to any collection.