Argentotennantite-Zn

specimen number:
9302272

location:
La Guitarra mine, Temascaltepec de Gonzalez, Mexico, Mexico

description:

A good example for the species, metallic crystals across the top of matrix. In good condition.

The La Guitarra mine, located in the Temascaltepec district of the State of Mexico, is a significant epithermal vein deposit primarily worked for silver and gold. Geologically, the mine is situated within the Guerrero Terrane, where mineralization occurs in high-grade quartz-carbonate veins that cut through a complex sequence of metamorphic and volcanic rocks. The deposit is particularly notable for its diverse assemblage of silver-bearing sulfosalts, including the rare mineral argentotennantite-Zn. This species is a zinc-rich member of the tetrahedrite group, typically occurring as small, metallic, dark gray to black grains or micro-crystals associated with other sulfides like galena, sphalerite, and polybasite. Historically, mining in the Temascaltepec region dates back to the Spanish colonial era in the 16th century, though modern mechanized operations at La Guitarra have greatly expanded the understanding of its geochemical complexity.

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