Pyrargyrite

This thumbnail specimen of the silver-antimony sulphosalt Pyrargyrite forms a continuous series with Proustite, the former at the antimony end and the latter at the arsenic end.  Pyrargyrite is one of the iconic minerals of the St. Andreasberg mining district in Lower Saxony, Germany, and this specimen is composed entirely of the species.  Emerging from a matrix of massive, metallic silver-grey Pyrargyrite are several tall Pyrargyrite crystals of between 4 and 1 cm, the latter forming a slender vertical crystal with a stepped, contour-like termination.  The Pyrargyrite has a patina of oxidised silver making it appear grey-black, but once strongly back-lit, its distinct and characteristic ruby-claret red shines through.  A lovely Pyrargyrite from Saxony, complete with two previous labels.