Description
A specimen of pyrargyrite from the San Genaro mine in Peru. Pyrargyrite is a silver–antimony sulfosalt whose grayish-red color earned it the miners’ nickname “ruby silver”. Its name, derived from the Greek words for fire and silver, alludes to its striking coloration. Indeed, when the specimen is held and rotated, vivid crimson flashes emerge from the main spherical crystal aggregate. The paragenesis is complemented by pyrite and quartz.
LOCATION
Peru, San Genaro
SIZE
2.3 cm
WEIGHT
9 g