Moschellandsbergite

Unknown Owner

Mochellandsbergite is an extremely rare silver mercury compound named after the locality of Mochellandsberg where it was first discovered. Having been known for a long time as silver amalgam it was formally named in 1938. It is reported to occur at a handful of localities worldwide, but none have produced such perfect crystals as those from Mochellandsberg. This miniature specimen is exceptional. A dappled white (Calcite) and beige (rock) matrix hosts two discrete bright, silvery metallic, 6.5 x 3 mm and 3.5 x 2 mm crystal aggregates in cavities. The larger of the two displays wonderful, well formed crystals to 2 mm across, showing a cubo-octahedral, or perhaps dodecahedral form. Unlike many specimens the crystals remain perfectly bright, with no sign of tarnish. An old typed number label (no. 598) is attached to the specimen but only the recent collectors label is present.