Acanthite

A magnificent mass of platy Acanthite and Acanthite crystals, lightly dusted with microcrystalline Pyrite, all enveloping a matrix of massive and crystallised Quartz.  From Banská Štiavnica in the Banská Bystrica Region of Slovakia, the Acanthite forms 1 to 2 mm equant crystals that richly cover a film of micro-crystalline Pyrite.  The Pyrite coats large Acanthite plates measuring up to 5 cm long, but of irregular shape.  A 2 cm long, crude and slightly milky quartz crystal sits amongst the Acanthite on the top surface.  A very rich example of Acanthite from Banská Štiavnica with many well-formed crystals.  The specimen is accompanied with a very fragile, old handwritten label, protected by a mount of thin card within a protective translucent envelope.