Pyrargyrite with Pyrite

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

This fantastic miniature specimen of crystallized Pyrargyrite with Pyrite comes from the famous Pöhla mine at Schwarzenberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany but was recorded in the Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021) Collection as from Hämmerlein deposit, Schwarzenberg and containing Argentopyrite rather than Pyrite. Fortunately, local experts have studied this specimen and highlighted the common mis-attribution of Argentopyrite amongst Schwarzenberg specimens and identified its provenance to the Pöhla mine. Upon this piece the Pyrargyrite forms larger (to 6 mm in length) blocky, dark purple crystals with a noticeable resinous lustre and with some displaying naturally etched pitted surfaces. Pyrite (formerly labelled as Argentopyrite) occurs widely across the specimen as burnished bronze colour microcrystals. An undoubtedly very old and rich specimen from Pöhla mine.