Pyrargyrite with Smithsonite

$3,500.00

$40.00 shipping
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Ships from USA

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Tucson, Arizona, USA

7,543 for sale·132 sold

A rare specimen of metallic, lustrous dark grey Pyrargyrite crystals measuring to 5 mm, intergrown with a drusy layer of brown Smithsonite. This splendid example is from the Proprietary mine at Broken Hill in New South Wales, Australia. Pyrargyrite, a silver sulphosalt, is a species seldom seen in collections from the Broken Hill orebody. Just checking on mindat there are only three photos of Pyrargyrite from the entirety of the Broken Hill mining district; all three being from Browne's shaft in the old Junction mine, now in Block 39 of North Mine. The Pyrargyrite crystals are tarnished to a characteristic silver-grey, but if strongly back-lit, it is possible the true blood red colour might become apparent. Surrounding the Pyrargyrite crystals is a dense druse of greenish-tan to biscuit-tan micro-crystals of Smithsonite. This will make a superb addition to any Broken Hill collection.