Acanthite

specimen number:
1052332

location:
Himmelsfurst Mine, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany

description:

Wonderful old German classic much well crystallized semi lustrous metallic acanthite coming off matrix. In good condition with very minimal micro-damage present. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and would date to the early 20th century, if not the 19th century. This is crystallized all around. Originally acquired through well-known Munich dealer Wilhelm Maucher in 1909. The Himmelsfurst Mine near Freiberg in Saxony, Germany was one of the most important silver mines in the historic Erzgebirge mining district. Active from the Middle Ages through the 19th century, the mine worked rich hydrothermal vein deposits hosted in metamorphic rocks that produced silver bearing galena along with lead, zinc, and other sulfide minerals. Himmelsfurst became especially famous among mineral collectors for exceptional specimens of native silver, proustite, and other rare silver minerals recovered from deep underground workings. Although mining ceased long ago, the locality remains a classic European source of fine and historically significant mineral specimens.

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