ALLARGENTUM ps. after Dyscrasite

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Allargentum, a natural alloy of dominant silver and minor antimony, is a very rare mineral and usually only occurs as featureless flat sheets of metal. In 2009/2010 a small silver mine at Bouismas in the Bou Azer Mining District in Morocco produced some exceptional crystallized Allargentum specimens, or at least Allargentum pseudomorphs after the crystal form of Dyscrasite. The crystals were etched out from surrounding white Calcite matrix to produce dramatic freestanding dendritic branches. This superb small cabinet specimen from Bouismas is richly endowed on all sides with silvery grey, metallic, Allargentum, displaying a lovely rose-silver patina under magnification. Under magnification it is also apparent that some of the pseudomorphs are coated with fine filaments of Native Silver. On the back of the specimen a 5 cm long 'branch' of Allargentum pseudomorphous after Dyscrasite looks really stunning, and fresh, providing a dilemma as to which way round to display it. Ex Nick Hawes collection.