Moschellandsbergite from Landsberg, Obermoschel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Mochellandsbergite is an extremely rare silver mercury compound named after the locality of Mochellandsberg where it was first discovered. Having been known for a long time as silver amalgam it was formally named in 1938. It is reported to occur at a handful of localities worldwide, but none have produced such perfect crystals as those from Mochellandsberg. This miniature specimen is exceptional. A dappled white (Calcite) and beige (rock) matrix hosts two discrete bright, silvery metallic, 6.5 x 3 mm and 3.5 x 2 mm crystal aggregates in cavities. The larger of the two displays wonderful, well formed crystals to 2 mm across, showing a cubo-octahedral, or perhaps dodecahedral form. Unlike many specimens the crystals remain perfectly bright, with no sign of tarnish.