Pyrargyrite

Unknown Owner

Pyrargyrite and Proustite (known as ruby silvers) are perhaps the two most desirable silver-bearing mineral species and owning a good one is what many collectors aspire to. It is not just their rarity in good crystals and rich red body colour, but their association with famous centres of historic silver mining which makes them so desirable. This marvellous miniature specimen is actually quite deceptive. It is Calcite with Pyrargyrite, but it is laden with small (to 2.5 mm), but magnificent sharp Pyrargyrite crystals. These are best appreciated in the video where the brightness of their crystal faces really stands out. Additionally, their red internal colour can been seen as internal reflections within their intensely deep purple-red outer appearance. Beyond the obvious crystals there is a lot of rich Pyrargyrite spread throughout this specimen too, but as larger fractured surfaces. It is from the Příbram District in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic - an area steeped in mining history from ancient Celtic times.