Proustite

Superb crystallized specimens of the so-called 'Ruby Silver's' including Proustite and Pyrargyrite are one of the most sought after specimens for the advanced collector, as they are not only extremely beautiful, but also exceptionally rare in significant quality as most are of a considerable age, and due to their fragility and light sensitivity few great examples survive. During the late 1800s the world's finest Proustite crystals were collected from mines in the Chañarcillo Mining District in Atacama Region, Chile but nowadays even thumbnail-sized crystals from these discoveries are snapped up instantly due to their significance. At very large miniature in size and hosted by a fine quality crystallized Calcite matrix, the striking spray of sharp, pointed, dog's tooth-like, scarlet-red, greasy, Proustite crystals at one end is quite simply world-class. The individual crystals reach over 1 cm in length, but it is their exceptional quality, miraculously undamaged and still maintaining a stunning intense colour which sets this apart. In detail, these Proustite crystals are quite remarkable, with many and varied angled crystal faces reflecting the light wonderfully. It is recorded as coming from Dolores I mine which was one of the most famous silver mines in Chile in the 1870s. A Proustite of the highest quality, for an exceptional collection.