Andorite (very rare)

Item Description

This piece was part of the historic discovery in 2004 at the San Jose Mine. 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). We personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. during this time and all the experts considered this 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, the specimens found in 2004 are undoubtedly the worlds finest Andorites extant! These specimens were extracted from the same vein system that was once 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 source of tin to the United States during WWII. This attractive thumbnail is a very rare layered group of classic, highly lustrous, striated, steel-grey, tabular crystals of Andorite free of matrix. The overall quality is good on front and back as the brilliant metallic luster is as nearly good as it gets for the species, but it must be noted that both of the edges are contacted where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. With that said, specimens of this size are virtually impossible to find on the market today, and prior to 2004 find, the San Jose Mine had not produced specimens in MANY years. A wonderful opportunity to own a good specimen of this rare mineral species. Valued at $750 in the inventory.