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.