Acanthite on Quartz

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

Banská Štiavnica (Schemnitz in German) is a famous ancient copper and precious metal mining region in central Slovakia with specimens from there finding their way into the collections across the length of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. This somewhat discrete-looking large miniature to very small cabinet specimen appears to be an amazing survivor from one of these early collections. Ex Martin Bohaty Collection, it is accompanied by two collection labels, neither of which appear to be of significant age. However, one mentions Windschaht Štiavnické Bane, which suggests that it might relate to one of the ancient workings at Štiavnické Bane a few miles from Banská Štiavnica. To the specimen itself, it is a small section of veinstone dominated by finely intergrown Sphalerite and Quartz with minor microscopic spots of Chalcopyrite and perhaps one sprig of Native Gold. However, as previously labelled, the main focal point is an open Quartz crystal-lined vug within which sit a stacked cluster of five of six dull dark grey rounded equant Acanthite crystals (presumably pseudomorphous after Argentite) individually to 7 or 8 mm across and with a few tarnished golden Pyrite crystals on top. The 'Acanthite' crystals vary from pseudocubic, to rounded, but the largest is pseudohexagonal in outline and may perhaps be Stephanite instead. Either way, this is a fascinating and important old-time specimen, potential 19th century, or perhaps earlier, in age.