Ankerite, Pyrargyrite, and Stephanite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameAnkerite, Pyrargyrite, and Stephanite
Chemical FormulaAg₃SbS₃
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Streak Colorpurplish-red
Cleavagedistinct {1011}
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity5.85
Colorsdark red, purplish-red, black, white, yellowish-white
Transparencytranslucent to opaque
Type LocalityGrube Gnade Gottes, St Andreasberg, Revier St Andreasberg, Harz, Lower Saxony, Germany
Mineral GroupSulfosalts
Usesore of silver, collector
Associated MineralsAnkerite, Stephanite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A macro photograph showcasing a vug lined with white to yellowish-white Ankerite crystals, hosting a prominent dark reddish-brown to purplish-black Pyrargyrite crystal with metallic luster, alongside smaller black Stephanite crystals.
Geological Context
These minerals typically form in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, often associated with other silver-bearing minerals and sulfides in ore deposits, characteristic of polymetallic vein systems.
