Proustite on Calcite

An excellent miniature of gemmy, ruby-red Proustite on crystals of translucent Calcite from the Schlema-Hartenstein District in Saxony, Germany. The Proustite crystals measure to about 3 mm and display shades of fine ruby through to blood red with a brilliant lustre. Very often the outer surface of Proustite is completely oxidised resulting in blackish-silver crystals with no visible indication of their true colour. This specimen shows no sign of such an oxidised coating, making it a very fine example. Note, there are areas of damaged Proustite, likely the result of contact damage when in situ, but equally there are many fine, well terminated crystals.