Pyrargyrite (Ruby Silver crystals)
stock #AX-29-047
San Juan de Rayas Mine, Municipio de Guanajuato
Guanajuato,
Mexico
2.8 x 2.7 x 2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $380
new year 2021
Super lustrous, metallic crystals of Pyrargyrite in a cluster with no matrix. Many of the larger crystals are distinctly twinned. These look silvery-black without very strong lighting but a few edges show the bright red flash and glint of the "ruby" color. The crystals are opaque for the most part but a few edges show some translucence. A mid 1980 vintage Silver secondary specie from the famed and prolific San Juan de Reyes Mine (Guanajuato, Mexico). A hefty thumbnail in good condition, there is some roughness and the backside is the point of removal but this is still in better shape than usual for this delicate mineral. The Ruby Silvers of Mexico are now considered classics and are quite different than the old European specimens. Choice.
Ruby Silver crystals (Polybasite) are nicely grouped on the Quartz matrix. Several small Polybasite crystals with classic hexagonal form are present as well, these covered by druzy Chalcopyrite. Esthetic, lustrous and in excellent condition with no visible damage. With strong lighting the translucent ruby color is revealed but under normal display these look like metallic black crystals. Very clean, the polybasite shows well formed independent crystals even though there are clustered in groups.
Acanthite and Polybasite on Quartz
stock #18.1-190
San Juan de Rayas Mine, Municipio de Guanajuato
Guanajuato,
Mexico
5.7 x 4.4 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Spring update
A melted look sculpture of Acanthite crystals on Quartz also holds a few small Polybasite crystals in sharp hexagons. Choice older piece from the San Juan de Reyas mine in Guanajuato. In excellent condition as seen and with a nice dark metallic patina. Under 20 X magnification I can see glints of blood red color that indicates at least a tiny bit of Ruby Silver (Pyrargryite) is also present but very small.
