Tetrahedrite

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This small cabinet sized specimen of Tetrahedrite in milky Quartz is from a French locality we are all very familiar with, but mat well not be as knowledgeable as to what minerals it produced. We are talking about St. Marie-aux-Mines in Haut-Rhin, Grand Est. The ever changing update of locality names becomes confusing, but this is what we used to call Alcase. Famous now for its annual mineral, gem and fossil show, mining here is thought to date back to the tenth century, over one thousand years ago. The mines produced various metals including copper, lead, silver and zinc with the present recorded total of species standing at an impressive 186 plus the claim to 11 type localities! Well formed, lustrous silver Tetrahedrite crystals sit on top of the drusy Quart covering the specimen and lining the cavity with bisects the display face. If you have ever visited the St. Marie Show, this will make a terrific and lasting reminder of this beautiful and spectacular mining district.