Pyrargyrite (blood red color)

Item Description

Pyrargyrite is one of the few "ruby silver" minerals in the world, arguably the most abundant and just like Proustite, features a gorgeous transition from a silvery-grey metallic exterior which when backlit, reveals an intense blood-red hue internally. 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 miniature sized example from the San Genaro Mine in Peru featuring lustrous, metallic, silvery-black faces on the exterior, and that classic intense red hue around the edges when the piece is backlit. It's a bit too thick in the center to get the light to come through, but there's no denying how gemmy it is along the periphery. Overall the piece is in decent condition, as there are some contacted areas, but many well-formed crystal faces can be seen. Minor white Calcite is present, creating a nice contrast. You don't see many Pyrargyrites from this locality anymore, and it's a shame, because they are some of the most beautiful examples of the species ever found.