Andorite (ex Federico Ahlfeld specimen)

Item Description

Andorite is 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). The San Jose Mine in Oruro dates Spanish mining as far back as the year 1595 and was mined by Incan Indians for several centuries prior. This specimen comes from the collection of the father of Bolivian mineralogy, Federico Ahlfeld who 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 the species have come from Bolivia. This specimen consists of rather lustrous, striated, layered, steel-grey crystals. 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 superb, antique specimen (circa 1940s) of this rare mineral species. 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.