Proustite with Stephanite, Argentopyrite and Arsenopyrite

The mine at Niederschlema in Saxony, Germany lay south-west of Chemnitz and a little north of Germany’s border with the Czech Republic.   This ex. matrix miniature is an exquisite mix of metallic ores and contains each of the four species in crystallised habits.  The silver sulpharsenide Proustite; the silver antimony sulphosalt, Stephanite, the silver-iron sulphide Argentopyrite and the iron arsenic sulphide, Arsenopyrite, form a porous, metallic sponge of mid-grey to bronze-brown Argentopyrite, speckled with micro crystals of tarnished cherry-red Proustite, silver Stephanite and dull silver Arsenopyrite.  Despite the Proustite forming exceedingly small crystals, the coverage is rich and when viewed in bright light with a low power loupe, hints of cherry red permeate the silver-black tarnished patina.  A specimen of complex mineralogy and texture, and a lovely example from Niederschlema.