Clausthalite from Harz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

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The Harz mountains in Lower Saxony, Germany are famous for selenide minerals, several of which were first discovered there. Zorge, near Bad Sachsa is one famous area within Harz. This rich miniature specimen from Zorge is an oldie and a classic. Not only does it exhibit the absolutely classic assemblage of brecciated iron oxide stained rock veined and cemented with white Calcite containing veinlets of dark grey resinous selenides, but it accompanied by two wonderful old handwritten labels, both of which use the wonderfully cumbersome term "Selenbleikupferquecksilber". This term, from the 19th century, shows the complexity of this material, indicating the presence of selenium, lead, copper and mercury. Of course, these elements don't just make up one mineral, but a series of selenides within this material - Berzelianite, Tiemannite and Clausthalite. This is a rarely available historically significant specimen. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).