Pyrargyrite with Acanthite - classic
stock #20-FC-030-(9124)
Freiberg District, Mittlesachsen
Saxony,
Germany
3 x 2.4 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $580
Early summer 2021
A lustrous but dark cluster of well-formed textbook crystals of Pyrargyrite associated with some Acanthite on a little Quartz matrix. Under strong lighting or with magnification the ruby-red reflections and highlights are seen and there are some translucent areas as well. This is a complex piece in that nearly every side has some attractive crystals and it is hard to pick a "best view". An older specimen from a very classic locality where silver was mined since the 1300's.
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.
Pyrargyrite - German classic, 1860 vintage
stock #AX-24-514
Sampson Mine, St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains
Lower Saxony,
Germany
9.3 x 5.2 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $2950
new year 2021
A superb cabinet sized display specimen of Pyrargyrite crystals in clusters on all sides of the matrix. An antique specimen of "Ruby Silver" from the Sampson Mine in the legendary St. Andreasberg area of the Harz mountains. Most crystals are very lustrous, sharp and show several typical habits. The Pyrargyrite is in both clusters and as isolated prisms, many showing the hexagonal cross section. In excellent condition, the color is however the typical dark silvery black of antique German specimens of this vintage, though with very strong light some of the red color highlights can still be seen. This specimen despite being in collections for over a century and half is in very fine undamaged condition. Ex. Bernbach collection, this is a better in person and certainly the best classic locale Pyrargyrite we have ever offered online.
Pyrargyrite with Polybasite on Calcite
stock #16.1-471-(CN492)
Fresnillo, Pinos, Municipio de Pinas
Zacatecas,
Mexico
5.8 x 5.6 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Flower-like cluster of well crystalized Silver minerals perched on a sparkling white plate of Calcite. Esthetic composition with nice contrast as well. The largest crystals in the cluster are the Pyrargyrites which reach over 8MM and are the flat terminated habit. These are quite dark as almost all red color is gone, but with nice distinct form. The Polybasite crystals are more numerous but smaller, most showing the classic flat hexagonal habit. With a loupe there is some damage seen on the delicate thin edges of some Polybasites, Overall the main Silver specie cluster is excellent by naked eye and a few small balls of Calcite decorate the darker minerals nicely. Ex Charles M. Noll collection his label is included.
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.
Pyrargyrite -classic, very rich
stock #18.1-272
Himmelsfurst Mine, Brand Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
7.5 x 7.2 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1500
A really fine, large, heavy and rich Ruby Silver from the classic locality of Freiberg. Two large faces are densely encrusted with many dark to bright red crystals in several habits, and whole dosplays well from several angles. A few crystals have typical bruises the vast majority are perfect and the condition is far better than most of these old and delicate pieces. Some dark native Silver is also noted on the matrix. Displays well from several angles, the old label which had been affixed to the piece is damaged and incomplete but the word Frieberg is clear. We are informed that this matrix, habit and style is a perfect match for the Himmelsfurst mine and is clearly a very old piece. The Pyrargyrite is still a good red color despite the age and some darkening, much better than usually seen on these. The Pyrargyite is also set off by some associated milky Quartz and Calcite so it really stands out on display,. The crystals and rounded masses also are protruding well from the matrix which adds a good texture. A very choice, large classic European Ruby Silver that is especially fine in person.
Pyrargyrite on Manganoan Calcite
stock #AX-10-796
Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
7 x 4.9 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Pyrargyrite crystals in small clusters and individuals are scattered on a pink Manganoan Calcite matrix. Individual crystals are up to 7MM. Some of the edge crystals have some chipping but the center portion is pristine. A few of the small clusters have the "raspberry" form and are hollow crystal aggregates best appreciated with magnification. A nice ruby Silver specimen that has a nice colored micro crystalline matrix as a contrast.
Pyrargyrite with Polybasite, Siderite, Pyrite
stock #18.1-409
Porco, Agua de Cstilla, Quijarro Province
Potosi,
Bolivia
3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $400
A lustrous cluster of mostly Pyargyrite crystals that at first glance appear a silvery black color. Strong light shows some brilliant red zones of ruby silver, and with magnification are some classic twinned Polybasite crystals as well. Minimal matrix, the associated Sulphides are only seen with magnification. Some edge chipping is noted, not easy to see by naked eye (this is a brittle mineral ) but the main crystals are in fine condition, some with textbook forms. The Pyrargyrites have some unusual habits on this piece, it is an attractive small miniature with very bright flash., could trim to a very strong thumbnail if desired
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