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Native Gold With Silver Pyrite Arsenopyrite & Sphalerite

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CLB635852

Native Gold With Silver Pyrite Arsenopyrite & Sphalerite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Baia de Arieş, Alba County, Romania
Class: 
Combination
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
6.5 × 5.8 × 2.4 cm
Description

Fantastic specimen with a very interesting and beautiful paragenesis. I had it analyzed. The beautiful, 'knitted' and fern-like golden wires are gold with about 1/3 silver. If the tellurium wasn't missing I'd say it's krennerite. The accessory minerals are golden brassy pyrite, mtallic gray arsenopyrite and glossy black sphalerite crystals.

Mining at Offenbanya ceased around 1850 - so I can guarantee the specimen is from the first half of the 19th century - latest!

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Gold

Formula: 
Au
Strunz: 
1.AA.05
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5 - 3.0

Silver

Formula: 
Ag
Strunz: 
1.AA.05
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5 - 3.0

Pyrite

Formula: 
FeS2
Strunz: 
2.EB.05a
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
6.0 - 6.5

Arsenopyrite

Formula: 
FeAsS
Strunz: 
2.EB.20
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
5.5 - 6.0

Sphalerite

Formula: 
ZnS
Strunz: 
2.CB.05a
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

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