Proustite (old classic - circa late 1800s) Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

The fabulously rich Chanarcillo silver and silver sulfosalt mines were discovered in 1832 and were exhausted by the early 1900s. Some of the world's finest "ruby silver" and silver specimens were recovered from this locale. Proustite from here sets the standard for sheer color, and metallic luster, for the species. This is a sculptural, vuggy solid intergrown mass of crystals and crystal sections, to 1.2 cm, with rich, bright "ruby silver" wine-red color under normal light and beautiful cherry-red color, when backlit. Specimens of this richness and quality are ALWAYS highly desirable and are RARELY on the market. This outstanding and rich old-time miniature probably dates to the late 1880s. Formerly in the Floyd Rapp and Scott Williams Collections. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 500, a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). A very rich and worthy addition to any silver species or Chile collector. Valued at least at $1500.