Pyrargyrite with Acanthite and Calcite - image 1

Pyrargyrite with Acanthite and Calcite

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This remarkably fine small cabinet specimen of Pyrargyrite with Acanthite and Calcite is from the famous and historic St. Andreasberg mining district in Lower Saxony, Germany. Covering a mixed carbonate and massive sulphosalt matrix, a 1 cm thick layer of massive grey sulphosalts underlies a richly crystallised bed of well-developed Pyrargyrite, Acanthite and Calcite crystals. The Pyrargyrite forms excellent trigonal crystals to about 5 x 5 mm, displaying a very distinctive crystal habit and of opaque steely-black. Back-lit I cannot detect any translucency to the oxidised coating therefore cannot see any red in the crystals. This might not be the case when examined for longer and in closer detail. The Acanthite forms cubic and modified cubic crystals, often on top of the Pyrargyrite. Amongst both sulphosalts, opaque cream and translucent colourless Calcite occurs as two generations, both with crystals to about 1 mm with a glassy lustre. A classy specimen of Pyrargyrite with Acanthite from St. Andreasberg.

Product details

SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.0 x 7.7 x 4.0 cm
Added on10/24/2024
Current owner
Unknown Owner
Acquired
Jul 2026
Price paid
$6,500.00
Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Crystal ClassicsNot disclosed

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Calcite
Mineral guide
Learn about Calcite
diverse shapes, colors, and optical quirks; widely available yet scarce elite pieces from Elmwood and Charcas drive collecting value and display.
Calcite
Regional guide
Calcite from St Andreasberg
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Locality guide
St Andreasberg
St Andreasberg, Germany - historic Harz locality yielding ruby pyrargyrite, native silver, arsenic and calcite varieties; prized by collectors for classic Euro…