Miargyrite (rare silver sulfosalt)

Item Description

Miargyrite is a rare silver sulfosalt species, and one of the few "ruby silver" minerals in the world. It's rarer than Pyrargyrite, and arguably just as rare as Proustite. Most metallic minerals are completely opaque, especially the silver-bearing species, but the unique property of "ruby silver" minerals is that they can show a slight bit of color and internal gemminess when backlit. This traits is what is so enticing to collectors. Unfortunately I can't get any light to pass through these crystals, but it's still a very fine quality specimens for the species, and it's important to note that some of the finest examples of Miargyrite are those from the San Genaro Mine in Peru. This near full cabinet sized piece features dozens of sharp, well-formed, dark, metallic grey-black monoclinic crystals measuring up to about 5 mm (though some aggregate groups measure up to 8mm across) associated with brilliant golden metallic Pyrite and minor Quartz. Overall the piece is in great condition, with little damage to be seen. I really love the fact that there are so many fine quality distinct crystals on the piece, which is rare for the species as Miargyrite can often form in spherical groups, so it's hard to discern individual crystals. You don't see many Miargyrites from this locality anymore, and it's a shame, because they are some of the most beautiful examples of the species ever found. Priced in the inventory at $2,400.