This specimen was purchased at the Expominer fair (Barcelona) in 1985 from a dealer who brought Peruvian material. It was labeled as "enargite" from Huancavelica, a Peruvian mining region well known among mineral collectors. The specimen shows numerous crystals with a metallic luster, isolated or in groups, on a sulfide matrix (mainly pyrite). By observing them carefully and using a magnifying glass, we were able to see different crystalline forms that indicated the presence of various species. We proceeded to extract some crystals to study them.
SEM-EDS analysis indicated that elongated prismatic crystals with polysynthetic growths on the faces and hopper shapes (perimorphosis?) were a copper sulfoantimonide, with some bismuth and arsenic. This composition and its percentages correspond to chalcostibite, and the Bi would indicate the series with emplectite. Chalcostibite was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). An unusual species and less so for this Peruvian mine.
Other crystals showed prisms with faces striated and truncated by the pinacoid. Their analysis indicated that it was a copper-lead sulfoantimonide, with traces of Bi, consistent with twinned bournonite, a species also confirmed by XRD.
On the matrix we observe crystals with tetrahedron shapes, sometimes flattened. XRD indicated the presence of tetrahedrite. SEM-EDS analysis of small crystals associated with chalcostibite indicated that it could be tetrahedrite-(Zn), with possible argentotetrahedrite-(Zn). We will send labels and all the analysis reports to the buyer.

These specimens of Peruvian arsenopyrite stand out for their excellent luster and perfection of its crystals. With the camera I am not able to capture its real beauty. On a sulfide matrix we can enjoy hundreds of arsenopyrite crystals, prismatic, with defined terminal faces, rather than well-defined. They're accompanied by chalcopyrite crystals with dull luster, but gold tone, also well-defined and twinned. Brilliance and quality. Good sized specimen.

These specimens of Peruvian arsenopyrite stand out for their excellent luster and perfection of its crystals. With the camera I am not able to capture its real beauty. On a sulfide matrix we can enjoy hundreds of arsenopyrite crystals, prismatic, with defined terminal faces, rather than well-defined. They're accompanied by chalcopyrite crystals with luster and gold color, also well-defined and twinned. Brilliance and quality.

Very esthetic miniature formed by a group of quartz crystals covered by beveled cubic pyrite on which various tabular crystals of hübnerite stand out, well defined and with a very visible red transparence. Specimen from the Joan Astor collection, acquired in 1982 from Bailey Minerals (Ángel Jesús Talabán García, Segovia 1942-Madrid 2007).

Good size and rich aggregate of andradite-grosularia crystals with an intense brown color on the surface, but with color zoning, clearer inside. The exterior of the sample shows a dark reddish-brown tone with very well defined trapezohedral crystals, but inside the crystals have a very aesthetic golden tone. Multi-layered bands ranging from reddish brown to green to gold are shown in the fracture zones of the piece. For this reason we prefer to label it as the andradite-grossular series.

Epidote crystal, dark olive green in colour, very bright, with defined terminations, striking lighter green reflections and many flashes of greenish-yellow internal fire. Excellent specimen of Peruvian epidote.

Good size epidote crystal, dark olive green in colour, very bright, with defined terminations, striking lighter green reflections and many flashes of greenish-yellow internal fire. Excellent specimen of Peruvian epidote.

Specimens of azurite from the Peruvian mines are very rare and less with the quality of this we propose. There are various cavities in a matrix of goethite, which are covered by malachite botrioids, formed by very thin green needles. Over them several azurite rosette aggregates, isolated crystals also present, with an exceptional brightness and color. The specimen is really aesthetic and from a locality not seen in collections.

These specimens of Peruvian arsenopyrite stand out for their excellent luster and perfection of its crystals. With the camera I am not able to capture its real beauty. On a sulfide matrix we can enjoy hundreds of arsenopyrite crystals, prismatic, with defined terminal faces, rather than well-defined. They're accompanied by chalcopyrite crystals with dull luster, but gold tone, also well-defined and twinned. Brilliance and quality. A novelty of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2016.

These specimens of Peruvian arsenopyrite stand out for their excellent luster and perfection of its crystals. With the camera I am not able to capture its real beauty. On a sulfide matrix we can enjoy hundreds of arsenopyrite crystals, prismatic, with defined terminal faces, rather than well-defined. They're accompanied by chalcopyrite crystals with dull luster, but gold tone, also well-defined and twinned. Brilliance and quality. A novelty of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2016.
In this sample we see aggregates of intense black color and metallic luster which analysis indicates that it is ferberite (with minor % Mn). Simply outstanding.

Aesthetic specimen of chalcopyrite, very brilliant, with defined but complex crystals, on which a well developed rhombohedral siderite have grown, interpenetrating and showing rough faces. They show a uniform honey color. These specimens on matrix are rarely seen in the market and stand out for their beauty and mineralogical interest.

Aesthetic specimen of chalcopyrite, very brilliant, with defined but complex crystals, on which a well developed rhombohedral siderite have grown, interpenetrating and showing rough faces. They show a uniform honey color. These specimens on matrix are rarely seen in the market and stand out for their beauty and mineralogical interest.

Very interesting galena crystal, remarkable for its crystallography. It presents the cube and octahedron faces with a very balanced proportion. Brilliant, well disposed on a matrix with quartz crystals with an elongated prism an some brilliant pyritohedrons. A Peruvian aesthetic especimen.

This specimen shows several mineral species. The matrix which "supports" all of them is a group of huge size galena crystals with sharp cube-octahedral faces. Partially covering them we can see large groups of flattened realgar crystals. As alteration of these realgar crystals, due to the light, we have a patina, between yellow to orange, pararealgar. Between these galena crystals some orpiment aggregates, with a very intense yellow color.
We would like to emphisize in this specimen the presence of numerous seligmanite (PbCuAsS3) prismatic crystals, with a luster that makes them stand out. Evidently magnification is necessary to enjoy all their forms. Accompanied by chalcopyrite, pyrite and quartz. As you can see, it is a complete and representative specimen from this Peruvian mine.