Andorite (fine rare doubly-terminated crystal) with Zinkenite

Item Description

Here we have a wonderful large thumbnail / toenail size specimen of the rare lead, silver, antimony sulfosalt, Andorite from the historic find of November 2004 at the Sane Jose Mine in Bolivia. This particular find was certainly significant and one of the most important finds at this 500+ year old locality, which unquestionably produced the finest Andorite crystals in history. 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). We personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. from the 2004 find, and recently found a handful of pieces in a flat in our back room that we're putting into the auction for anyone who missed out on them years ago. For reference, this discovery in 2004 was such a significant find, that it completely redefined Andorite as a crystallized species as the largest and finest examples ever seen came from this discovery. Keep in mind that prior to this find, the San Jose Mine had not produced Andorite specimens in about 50 years. 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. This piece is an excellent, doubly-terminated bladed crystal with classic striations and that lovely steel-grey color with a wonderful metallic luster on the surface. A small amount of rare acicular crystals of dark grey Zinkenite, can be seen for a nice touch. The piece is in great shape overall, with no major damage. It is incredibly difficult to find any samples of this mineral on the market today, let alone pieces of such high quality, as doubly-terminated examples are exceedingly rare. 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. A wonderful opportunity to own a very good specimen of this rare mineral species. Valued $1,500, and well worth if for such a great piece of a very rare silver-bearing sulfosalt.