Pyrargyrite (superb old classic) Perkin & Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Pyrargyrite is the signature silver sulfosalt species and was one of the two most economically important silver ore species, along with Dyscrasite, from the historic and ancient mines at St Andreasberg. A striking 1.2 cm cluster of sharp, lustrous, metallic pyrargyrite crystals is dramatically set on the contrasting calcite-covered sulfide matrix on this superb matrix thumbnail. There are flashes of cherry-red color under bright light. Previously from the Willard Perkin collection or dealer stock (note the label on his TN box). He is generally credited as the inventor of the "Perky box" for standard thumbnails display. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 6274 and acquired from Willard in Santa Monica in 1970. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017). Kay assembled an important suite of classics and rarities from this famed district. See the Mineralogical Record St. Andreasberg Special Issue, May-June, 2017, Vol. 48, No. 3. A remarkable old-time pyrargyrite matrix thumbnail.