Pyrargyrite

specimen number:
8911147

location:
San Genaro Mine, Castrovirreyna, Huancavelica, Peru

description:
Lustrous dark crystals of pyrargyrite measuring to 1.0 cm in size forming a cluster in one area of this matrix. Slight damage present as seen. The prominent crystals are in good condition. The specimen comes with two previous collection labels, one from the Alton collection and one from Morton Metersky. We provide the locality as provided on the two previous labels, but I suspect that this is actually from theUchucchacua Mine in Lima province.

Located in the high Andes of the Huancavelica Department in Peru, the historic San Genaro Mine in the Castrovirreyna District is situated within a major Neogene epithermal vein system hosted by volcanic rocks. Exploited for centuries, the deposit was initially worked during the Spanish colonial era for its rich silver content and later expanded through modern underground mining operations targeting complex precious and base metal ore bodies. Mineral collectors highly value specimens from San Genaro, which is world-renowned for producing exceptional crystallized groups of sulfosalt and sulfide minerals, particularly fine pyrargyrite, proustite, tetrahedrite, polybasite, and associated quartz and barite matrices.

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