Andorite (fine quality crystals)

Item Description

When it comes to crystallized specimens of various sulfides/sulfosalts, some of the most valuable and coveted species are those containing silver. Experienced collectors know that minerals like Pyrargyrite and Proustite are among the great "Ruby Silver" minerals, but another silver-bearing sulfosalt that is equally rare, beautiful and sought after is Andorite. This piece hails from the world-class discovery in November 2004. I personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. right after the discovery was made. Many experts considered it to be such a significant find, that it completely redefined Andorite as a crystallized species. The San Jose Mine in Oruro dates the Spanish mining as far back as the year 1595 and was mined by Incan natives for several centuries prior. In all the years of mining, these specimens from 2004 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 the species have come from Bolivia, and are highly prized by discerning and experienced collectors. This specimen features very good sized, excellent quality, layered, steel-grey, lustrous striated crystals of this rare lead, silver, antimony sulfosalt, free of matrix. The piece is in great shape overall, though the edge of the piece is contacted where it separated from the pocket wall. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the specimen is that it features more than one crystal (most pieces are a single flat "blade"), but this piece features multiple crystals in a beautiful layered group. It's a showy piece and one of the better Andorite specimens we've ever offered in any format. It is incredibly difficult to find any samples of this mineral on the market today, let alone pieces of such high quality. Keep in mind that prior to 2004, the locality had not produced specimens in about 50 years. You will never see these again, the part of the mine that produced them has been completely worked out, so the value of these pieces will surely increase as the years go by. A fantastic wonderful opportunity to own a superb specimen of this very rare and highly regarded mineral species. This piece was priced at $2,000 in the inventory for its excellent size and quality. For reference, Andorite 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).