Gypsum

specimen number:
1052914

location:
Banska Stiavnica (Schemnitz), Slovakia

description:
The top of this matrix is scattered richly with crystals of gypsum measuring to 4.5 cm in length. Minimal damage present as seen, still very good for this old Central European classic. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and at one time belonged to the collection of Wilhelm Hoyer, dating the piece to the 19th century.

Banska Stiavnica, historically known as Schemnitz, is one of the oldest mining towns in Slovakia, with written records of mining activities dating back to the 12th century and official royal free town status granted in 1238. Historically, it operated as a major center for precious and base metal extraction--especially silver and gold--for nearly a millennium before most commercial mining wound down in the late 20th century, culminating in the closure of the last major operations around 2001. Geologically, the town is situated inside the vast Stiavnica stratovolcano, a caldera formed during the Miocene epoch. The complex volcanic and hydrothermal activity created rich mineral veins containing gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper ores embedded within propylitized andesites, dacites, and rhyolites.

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