Sylvanite on Quartz (old classic - Type Locality)

Item Description

Sylvanite, the rare silver and gold telluride, was discovered here at the Type Locality in 1835. It is known at its best for this surreal, metallic-organic growth that seems to have a pattern, when crystallized as we see here. More technically speaking, these are flat-lying splendent crystals in the form of typical graphic intergrowths ("Schrifterz"). The effect is bizarre, and beautiful. The quartz vug is a very nifty accent. Good hand-sized specimens of this richness from this old locality, most surely dating to the mid 1800s or before, are extremely rare. Valued at $1000-1250.