SILVER from SPAIN - New Find!

SILVER from SPAIN - New Find!

Here we present specimens collected by a customer of ours, from an unexpected treasure find in the ancient dumps of this old silver mine which was heavily exploited during the Middle Ages; and re-mined again in the early 1900s. These dumps include ancient material plus the remnants of mining from about 1905-1910. These specimens were recovered in small finds between 2000 and 2006 over many trips, and represent a high quality level of the crystallized specimens found there.

US$ € EURO ¥ YEN £ POUND CAN$ AUS$
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SPAG-01 - SILVER - $ 750
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.2 x 2.7 x 2.0 cm

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Partially etched out of enclosing calcite are crystals including spinel twins of silver, up to 1.0 cm in length. The darker patina is caused by acanthite crystal overgrowths on the silver. The color contrast between the silver, acanthite and calcite is dramatic. In general, silver from Spanish localities is rarely seen in the mineral market.

SPAG-09 - SILVER (cubic xls) - $ 600
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.7 x 3.3 x 2.3 cm

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Up close, this specimen has a lot going for it. Nests of spinel twins, to .5 cm in length along with modified cubes to.25 cm across, cover a matrix of white calcite. Cubic silver crystals are very rare in nature and this is the only one I have from this locale. A few matte black acanthite crystals, to .2 cm across are also present. This specimen can be displayed on more than one angle. Superb for complexity and crystal habits!

SPAG-08 - SILVER - $ 750
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.1 x 3.5 x 1.6 cm

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A superb miniature with fine silver wires etched out of enclosing, massive, white calcite. This silver specimen is composed primarily of spinel twin crystals, to 1.0 cm in length. A few crystals of matte black acanthite, to .2 cm across, are perched on the silver. This specimen can easily be displayed from the front or back side. Very nice color contrast and a superb miniature!

SPAG-07 - SILVER - $ 450
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
small cabinet, 6.2 x 3.1 x 2.7 cm

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Semi crystalline white calcite is the host for brilliant silver crystals including some spinel twins, to .75 cm in length. A few matte black, acanthite crystals, to .5 cm in length, are perched on the silver crystals. All of this is emplaced on a light gray limestone matrix. The color contrast is nice!

SPAG-06B - SILVER - $ 50
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
thumbnail, 1.7 x 1.0 x 0.7 cm

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06ba.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06ba.jpg]

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06bb.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06bb.jpg]

Silver crystals to .5 cm across help make up the composition of dendritic or leaf-like clusters. The silver has been partially etched out of the enclosing massive, white calcite.

SPAG-06A - SILVER - $ 50
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
thumbnail, 1.6 x 1.3 x 0.6 cm

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06aa.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06aa.jpg]

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06ab.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-06ab.jpg]

Equally displayable from both sides, this Thumbnail specimen is composed primarily of crystals and spinel twins, up to .5 cm in length.

SPAG-16 - SILVER - $ 1250
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.5 x 3.2 x 2.5 cm

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Like vines growing up and enmeshing the massive, white calcite, are spinel twinned silver crystals to 1.5 cm in length. Of all the silver specimens in this lot, this piece has the longest spinel twins. Most of the crystals are covered with matte black micro-crystals of acanthite, which gives color contrast. This is a very aesthetic, lively looking piece that seems to my eye unusually aesthetic for this find, and very reminiscent of old 1960s-1970s Batopilas material from Mexico. A superb miniature from any locale, as well.

SPAG-03 - SILVER - $ 1200
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.5 x 3.9 x 2.4 cm

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-03a.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-03a.jpg]

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SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-03b.jpg]

SILVER from Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain [db_pics/pics/spag-03b.jpg]

Perched aesthetically on massive white calcite is silver with variegated patina and luster. The crystals are small but superb: many of them appear in leaf-like or dendritic patterns, up to 1.4 cm in length. There are also a number of matte black acanthite crystals, to 2mm across, perched on silver crystals. A very aesthetic example from this find with some style

SPAG-02 - SILVER - $ 400
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.6 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm

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This particular silver specimen has been partially etched out of white calcite which in turn, has been emplaced on a light gray limestone. It is a heavy, extremely rich piece! The silver is bright with great luster and the crystals, to .5 cm across are mostly spinel twins. The overall effect of the flat lying crystals is that of a head of hair. Fascinating piece!

SPAG-15 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
small cabinet, 6.2 x 3.7 x 3.3 cm

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One of the larger pieces recovered, this is a superb nest of wires on massive silver core. The brilliant lustrous silver crystals on this specimen are almost all spinel twins, reaching .8 cm across. Perched on many silver crystals are crystals of matte black acanthite, 1-2mm. The overall visual effect is of a birds nest made of silver! This is a rich, attractive piece.

SPAG-14 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 5.2 x 4.6 x 2.4 cm

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Viewable from two sides, this specimen of silver and acanthite has been partially etched out of enclosing, massive, white calcite. The brilliant luster of the spinel twinned silver, in crystals to .8 cm across is offset by the matte black acanthite crystals, to 2mm across. The color contrast between the calcite and the silver/acanthite is attractive. This is a rich, hefty specimen!

SPAG-13 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.4 x 3.7 x 2.6 cm

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Partially etched out of its enclosing calcite matrix, this specimen is composed of spinel twins of silver, to.8 cm in length as well as matte black acanthite crystals to 2mm across. Lustre is good. The color contrast between the silver, acanthite and white calcite, is visually interesting.

SPAG-12 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
small cabinet, 6.2 x 3.1 x 2.4 cm

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>Wow! Where the core of calcite is exposed, it is surrounded by a nest of brilliant luster, spinel twins of silver, to .75 cm in length. The delicacy of the crystals is mesmerizing. The other sides of the specimen have a black and white effect of silver crystals and matte black acanthite crystals to 2mm across. Thus, the whole specimen can be viewed in any plane. Very aesthetic!

SPAG-11 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 4.4 x 3.1 x 1.1 cm

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This solid specimen of silver is relatively heavy and massive, with a few, brilliant, crystals in evidence atop a mostly spongy plate. There are also a few crystals of matte black acanthite, present. A hefty example for the locality

SPAG-10 - SILVER - SOLD
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Catalonia, Spain
miniature, 3.4 x 2.3 x 1.7 cm

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This superb, treelike, arborescent silver specimen with brilliant luster is composed of modified cubes as well as spinel twins, up to .5 cm in length. Many of the silver crystals appear as well formed dendrites. A core of white calcite can be seen and the whole specimen has more than one viewing angle as it is complete and 3-dimensional all around, like a tree. Super miniature!

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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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