Pyrargyrite

Pyrargyrite is a popular mineral composed of silver antimony sulfide. ^[1]

Pyrargyrite: Quick Facts and Characteristics

Some quick facts for Pyrargyrite:

• Transparency: Pyrargyrite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
• Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, pyrargyrite can be hexagonal or trigonal.
• Luster: In terms of luster, pyrargyrite can be adamantine, metallic or submetallic.
• Streak: Pyrargyrite streaks purplish, purplish red or red.
• Hardness: Pyrargyrite's hardness is 2.5 on the Moh's scale.
• Specific Gravity: Pyrargyrite's specific gravity is 5.85.

Pyrargyrite: Background and Summary

Pyrargyrite is a mineral that is commonly known as ruby silver or dark red silver ore. It is a silver sulfosalt mineral that is composed of silver, antimony, and sulfur. Its chemical formula is Ag3SbS3, and it has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3. Pyrargyrite is a rare mineral that is often found in hydrothermal veins associated with other minerals like quartz, galena, and sphalerite.

To identify pyrargyrite, one can look for its distinctive dark red or ruby-red color. It has a metallic luster and can be found in opaque to translucent crystals. Pyrargyrite is also quite dense, with a specific gravity of 5.8-5.9. It is often confused with other minerals like proustite, which is also a silver sulfosalt mineral that has a similar color and crystal structure.

Pyrargyrite has a few uses, but its main application is as an ore of silver. It is often mined as a source of silver, which is used in various industrial applications like electronics, photography, and jewelry. Pyrargyrite is also used as a gemstone and is sometimes cut into faceted stones for use in jewelry. However, due to its softness and rarity, it is not commonly used in jewelry.