Pyrargyrite

A small but superbly crystallized thumbnail mass of pyrargyrite crystals. The dominating 8 mm crystal is stunning. This is an excellent example of translucent gem-red pyrargyrite from one of the more rare and hard to get locales, in an old silver-mining district of Bolivia - Colquechaca. Note: A Bolivian pyrargyrite is much more uncommon and likely to be older as well, than seemingly similar material from Mexico. These specimens turn up only rarely and from very old collections. I believe they were collected prior to the 1940s, and some would date back far earlier still to the late 1800s (as I have seen them turn up in some very old collections such as G.J. Brush's at Yale). This beautiful specimen has great metallic, glassy luster and intense color when backlit. Ex. Tarnowski Collection.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Pyrargyrite

SizeThumbnail

Dimensions2.5 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm

Locality

Bolivia, Potosí, Colquechaca

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/08