Massive, oxidized silver in a vein of
Quartz.
Native Wire Silver from Mexico
CHEMISTRY - Ag
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY - Cubic
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS - Silver crystals are cubic, octahedral or dodecahedral. It is commonly found in parallel growths, tupically as elongated, arborescent forms. It can also be massive, sheets or as a coating on other minerals.
COLOR AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES - Bright metallic - on a fresh surface it can be mirror like - reflecting nearly 98% of the light incident upon it.
HARDNESS - 2.5 - 3
SPECIFIC GRAVITY - 10 to 11 (10.5 when pure)
LUSTER - Brilliant metallic, silver white on a fresh surface and quickly tarnishing to black.
STREAK - Silver white
BREAKABILITY - Hackly fracture, sectile, ductile, malleable.
OCCURRENCE - Silver is found as a primary mineral in hydrothermal deposits. It can also form in the oxidized zone of silver bearing mineral deposits - notably galena.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS - Copper, Acanthite
MINERAL NAME - From the German siber of the Dutch zilver.