Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : San Luis mines, Fresnillo, Zacatecas state, Mexico
SIZE : 4.5 x 3.5 cm

This sample of pyrargyrite is an association of many crystals of different dimensions. It has a lightly defect on one top but its dimensions, its lustre and its quality of its faces made it a remarkable sample. In the light, one observes a red reflection.

It comes from San Luis mines, Zacatecas state, Mexico and has been acquired thanks to support from Total. This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Pyrargyrite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word [pyros] meaning "fire" and "αργuρoσ" [argyros] meaning "silver", in reference to its colour and its chemical constitution

Species described in 1831 by Ernst Frierich Glocker (1793-1858), German mineralogist

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Mine dargent rouge, argent antimonié sulfuré

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ag3 Sb S3
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Rhomboedric
COLOR : Dark red
DIAPHANIETY : Translucent
LUSTER : Adamantine to metallic
STREAK : Cherry-red
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, scalénohedras, aggregates
HARDNESS : 2,5
DENSITY : 5,85

CHEMICAL CLASS : II - Sulfides, arsenides,
GROUP : Proustite - xanthoconite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/E.07-20
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.GA.05

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Pyrargyrite

Pyrargyrite

MNHN N°200.52

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