Silver wires on Barite - classic Colorado
stock #19.1-895
White Raven Mine, Ward Mining District, Boulder County
Colorado,
United States
5.7 x 3 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Early summer 2023
Vintage specimen (1920-30 era) of fine twisted and tangled native Silver wires filling spaces between Barite crystals. From the White Raven Mine, (Boulder Colorado area) Ex Wards with George M English type label. In fine condition, and spectacular under magnification this is a classic combo for this locale. Close exam finds a few Acanthite crystals and rhombs of Siderite, the Silver has a dark patina overall. Rarely available antique and very uncommon in this quality.
Native Silver and Copper
stock #15.1-651
Keweenaw Co.
Michigan,
United States
7.7 x 6.1 x 1.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Early summer 2023
A USA classic Silver-Copper ex Johannson collection. The Silver is in crude crystals and masses most of which protrude from the Copper. The thin sheet of metal is is from .8 to 1.2 CM thick, but weighs a hefty 124 grams, which indicates a high percentage of Silver. There is no mine attribution in the collection notes but this was obtained in the late 1940 era by trade.
Silver, elongated spinel-twin, floater
stock #21.FC-011
Batopilas, Andres del Rio District
Chihuahua,
Mexico
3.9 x .8 x .6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $660
A superb older specimen from the great Silver discoveries at Batopillas. Ex Behier collection, this is textbook perfect example of a single elongated, twisted spinel-twin crystal with a secondary addition of a few smaller crystals like a crown or hat. This looks a bit like a palm tree from some angles. Close exam shows the shaft or trunk has the herringbone form visible which is characteristic of this locality. In perfect condition the specimen displays well on every angle. Small but with great display impact.
Silver - classic German locale
stock #20.FC-026-(9123)
Freiberg District, Mittlesachsen
Saxony,
Germany
4.6 x 3.3 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $2300
Early summer 2021
A complex tangle of Silver wires and ropy masses rises from a pure Silver matrix composed of smaller wires. An old piece from the classic Freiberg district, this is an especially fine example of several wire forms and has a great overall esthetic. A vintage Deyrolles (Paris) label is included, however the specimen age is not known (Freiberg produced Silver since the 12th century, the last mine closed over a half century ago). In fine condition and with a mix of patina, most is a dark silver-black but there are zones of brighter golden luster which gives great contrast.
Silver - classic locality
stock #20.1-095
Himmelsfurst Mine, Brand Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
8.4 x 3.4 x .5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
new year 2021
A long, slender tapering wire Silver from the classic Himmelsfurst Mine. The wire if straightened out would be roughly 18 CM long which is sizable for one of these. Very slender overall, at the very end it is just .2 MM thick while at the base it is about 3mm. there is a bifurcation in the lower section that is rather unusual. Nice patina throughout.
Native Silver (Sheet form)
stock #15.1-457
Eisleben, Mansfeld Basin
Saxony- Anhalt,
Germany
7.6 x 2.6 x 1.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $120
One of the more odd forms of Silver are these thin sheets, almost like a Silver foil found in narrow seams of Slate. Very old material, these were mostly extracted in the early 1900's, the locality is a German classic. The Slate matrix is Copper bearing which is an unusual host for Silver anyplace. The Silver leaf is partly peeling from the matrix and shows the delicate form, being under .05MM thick.
Silver on Copper
stock #17.1-624
Keweenaw Co.
Michigan,
United States
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $350
Spring 2020
A classic USA "halfbreed" cluster of crude crystals with a sizable percentage of Silver. Ex Less Hitchings collection, the main "glob" of Silver is 2.3 CM across and has distinct color, form and relief from the Copper. The specimen was purchased in 1967 and as was typical at that time has only the area locality (Keweenaw Penninsula). Good halfbreeds have always been appreciated as classic for the UP, and are unique in the world. This one is particularly rich and esthetic, weighs 57 grams, quite dense for the miniature size.
Silver - very pure crystalline mass
stock #10.1-137
Mass Consolidated Mine, Mass City, Ontonagon County,
Michigan,
United States
5.3 x 4.7 z 3.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $1300
A complex mass of crude crystals that have very clearly formed in a conglomerate type matrix that is now gone. This is a sponge-like cluster yet very solid and intricate. The patina ranges from a dark near black on some edges grading to a more silvery metallic in the center. I have not seen many specimens from the Mass mine but all have this spongy look and this is the best example in my limited experience. According to Mindat the mine closed in 1919. A really different looking Silver that displays fine on all sides. 78 grams.
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