Pyrargyrite

Item Description

Pyrargyrite is one of the few sulfosalts that fall into the "ruby silver" category in the mineral world. The species is a metallic silvery-grey hue in reflected light, but it can often reveal an intense blood-red hue internally when backlit. Most metallic minerals are completely opaque, especially the silver-bearing species, but the unique gemmy properties of Pyrargyrite is what is so enticing to collectors. This piece is a nice small cabinet sized example from the Veta Grande Mine in Zacatecas, Mexico featuring lustrous, metallic, silvery-black faces on the exterior, and that classic intense red hue around the edges when the piece is backlit. Overall the piece is in decent condition, as there are some contacted areas, but many well-formed crystal faces can be seen. The largest crystal measures 6 mm. You don't see many Pyrargyrites from this locality on the market these days. From the collection of Colin Manlove.