Quartz on Sphalerite

specimen number:
9273264

location:
Remedios Mine, Taxco de Alarcon, Guerrero, Mexico

description:

Colorless mostly gemmy and lustrous crystals of quartz to 1.5 cm in size across the top of a lustrous black sphalerite crystal matrix. In great condition.

The Remedios Mine is part of the historic Taxco mining district in the northern part of Guerrero, Mexico, a region where metal extraction dates back to pre-Hispanic times and expanded dramatically following the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Geologically, the district is characterized by a basement of ancient metamorphic schist overlain by thick Cretaceous limestones and intruded by Cenozoic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks. The mineral deposits primarily occur as polymetallic fissure veins and replacement mantos formed by hydrothermal activity linked to regional magmatism. Specifically, the Remedios Mine is distinguished within the district for producing silver-rich ores containing notably higher silver grades alongside lower concentrations of lead and zinc compared to neighboring operations like the Guerrero mine.

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