Andorite

Item Description

This piece is from the historic discovery of November 2004. Andorite is a lead, silver, antimony sulfosalt and was named for the Hungarian mineral collector Andor von Semsey (1833-1923), who holds a remarkable distinction for having two mineral species named after him (andorite and semseyite). I personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. from the 2004 discovery, which experts considered to be such a significant find, that it completely redefined Andorite as a crystallized species. This mine at Oruro dates Spanish mining as far back as the year 1595 and was mined by Incan Indians for several centuries prior. In all the years of mining, these are undoubtedly, the worlds finest Andorites extant! These specimens were extracted from the same vein system worked by the father of Bolivian mineralogy, Federico Ahlfeld. Ahlfeld worked the San Jose Mine and Itos Mine (the other significant andorite locality at the same mountain in Oruro) when the mines were used predominantly as a major sources of tin to the United States during WWII. The best examples of Andorite ever found have come from these mines. This specimen features layered, steel-grey, lustrous striated crystals of Andorite with a tiny bit of associated Pyrite and no matrix. Overall, the quality, size and general appeal is good for the species, but the piece is contacted on three sides, so it's not damage free. Considering that the majority of the specimens from this find were badly damaged, it's in better condition than most. It is very difficult to find any samples of this mineral on the market today, and until very recently, the locality had not produced specimens in MANY years. A wonderful opportunity to own a nice overall specimen of this rare mineral species. This specimen was valued in the inventory at $500 and considering that no new specimens are coming out, the value of these pieces will surely increase as I'm told that the part of the mine which produced these specimens is finished.