Andorite with Zinkenite

Item Description

From the historic find in November 2004. 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). I personally acquired the entire lot of ALL the good crystals that came into the U.S. during this time and many 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, the specimens found in 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. The piece features a few classic, steel-grey, rather lustrous, tabular, layered crystals of Andorite with rare, prismatic, lustrous Zinkenite "needles". A showy specimen, and is in good condition for this material, despite a little roughness on the back side of the piece. 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 great association specimen of these rare mineral species. We are trying to get more, but this is one of the very last pieces of Andorite WITH Zinkenite that I have to offer, so do not miss out.