Stephanite on PYRAGYRITE

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The quality and complexity of the crystals of Pyrargyrite and Stephanite on this extremely large miniature to small cabinet specimen from Oberschlema is mind blowing. This totally crystallized aggregate is covered in crystals in all directions with little sign of any damage except perhaps on the rear surface but even that looks crystallized. Individually, the largest pseudohexagonal prismatic Pyrargyrite crystals reach an impressive 1.2 cm across by 1.2 cm in length and show superb striated crystal faces and complex naturally pitted and etched surfaces, but all very bright and fresh. These crystals are very dark grey in colour but under magnification and with illumination these show areas with red internal reflections disclosing their identity as Pyrargyrite. Scattered upon the Pyrargyrite are dark steely-grey flattened, disc-like, pseudohexagonal Stephanite crystals, sometimes clustered in star- or flower-like patterns and individually reaching 7 to 8 mm across. A little cream coloured Calcite matrix is embedded within these magnificently crystallized silver sulphosalts. Seriously world-class. Ex Professor Werner Paar Collection, no. 131, who notes that it came from between the 585 and 675 m level on the Brahmaputra vein, Shaft 366, Alberoda. It is accompanied by two Werner Paar labels.