Acanthite

$12,500.00

$40.00 shipping
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Acanthite, a silver sulphide, is often difficult to identify visually owing to it either forming rounded featureless forms, or replacing the form of other silver minerals. One of the most commonly seen crystal shapes Acanthite replaces are cubes, or cubic forms, from where it has replaced Argentite which is not stable below 177 degrees C at normal pressure. Acanthite is itself monoclinic in form, but rarely shows this externally. Acanthite as cubic replacements usually show just the odd crystal face, or occasional complete crystal, but examples such as this cabinet-sized sculptural aggregate of elongated octahedral (cubic symmetry) crystals are dramatic more for their rarity than just their form. Imiter mine in Morocco from whence it came is renowned for impressive and rare silver species and this mesmerizing piece does not disappoint. Some might think the price steep, but consider what this would be valued at if it were from an old world classic locality rather than Morocco? Then the reality dawns over how impressive a silver sulphide this is. Simply stunning.