Pyrargyrite

specimen number:
8911088

location:
Chanarcillo, Copiapo, Atacama, Chile

description:
Lustrous dark crystals of pyrargyrite measuring to 0.3 cm in size across the front of matrix. Some damage present as seen. Nice old time reference quality thumbnail specimen for the species and locality. The specimen comes with a previous label from the Alton collection.

Located in the Atacama Desert south of Copiapo, Chile, Chanarcillo is a world-renowned historical silver mining district situated within folded and faulted Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks cut by igneous intrusions. Hydrothermal fluids moving through fractures deposited intense vein networks that underwent extensive supergene oxidation and enrichment, forming exceptionally rich silver ores near the surface. Discovered in May 1832 by prospector Juan Godoy, the district triggered a massive 19th-century Chilean silver rush, transforming regional infrastructure, expanding rail networks, and turning Chile into a leading global silver producer. Major historic operations like the Descubridora mine extracted tremendous wealth until depletion led to widespread abandonment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For mineral collectors, Chanarcillo is legendary for producing world-class mineral specimens, most notably superb, lustrous cherry-red proustite crystal groups, along with exceptional chlorargyrite, stephanite, and pyrargyrite.

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