Detailed information
Dimensions
83 x 95 x 44
mm
Locality
Samson Mine St. Andreasberg, Harz Lower Saxony, Germany
Condition
No recorded repairs
Samson mine at St. Andreasberg in the Harz Mountains is one of the most famous historic silver mines in Germany, dating back to the 16th century and was for a long time the deepest mine in the world, reaching a depth of 840 m. During the 18th century it became well-known for beautiful crystallized specimens of some very rare mineral species included amongst which was an unusually well-crystallized pink zeolite species which was later named Apophyllite and is now known to be Fluorapophyllite-(K). One of the first descriptions was published by Johann Fibig in 1787 and although we don't know the full history of this specimen it is so exceptionally rich and large, that it must surely date to when the finest specimens were found. The 'Apophyllite' crystals are large (up to 9 mm across) and in stunning condition with a magnificently bright lustre and completely cover the display surface on a classic Calcite matrix. The pink colour is extremely unusual in Fluorapophylite-(K), adding to not only its beauty, but rarity too. Ex Professor Werner Paar Collection, this is a sensational German classic worthy of the most prestigious of collections.