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Pyrostilpnite

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CR755193

Pyrostilpnite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
St Andreasberg, Goslar, Lower Saxony, Germany
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small miniature (3-4.5 cm)
Size: 
3 × 2.3 × 1.3 cm
Description

Pyrostilpnite is the rare, monoclinic dimorph of pyrargyrite, the well-known and highly coveted silver mineral. MINDAT: originally described as Feuerblende (Feuer = fire, Blende from blenden = to blind, for the adamantine luster), later translated into pyrostilpnite (from Greek pyr = fire, stilpnos = bright or shining).

This long and slender 4.5 mm crystal group is well protected in a pocket to survive two centuries of handling. It is an extremely significant piece that was one of the proudest items in the collection. The luster and golden-red color are both excellent, and typical for the species. Quite scarce, this old-time specimen from the famous mines at St. Andreasberg has an incredible provenance.

More crystallized pyrostilpnite on another part of the specimen.

 

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Pyrostilpnite

Formula: 
Ag3SbS3
Strunz: 
2.GA.10
Hardness: 
2.0
Type Locality: 
Churprinz Friedrich August Erbstolln Mine (Churprinz Mine; Kurprinz Mine), Großschirma, Freiberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany