Proustite On Native Arsenic

An good specimen of proustite on native arsenic from the classic mining district of Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Krušné Hory, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic. A well-formed, deep red, translucent proustite crystal is prominently developed on a matrix dominated by silvery-grey native arsenic, creating a striking and historically important mineral association.

Proustite is a silver arsenic sulfide and belongs to the sulfosalt group, while native arsenic represents an elemental arsenic phase. Their association reflects the low-temperature hydrothermal and late-stage vein mineralization characteristic of the Jáchymov district, one of Europe’s most famous historic silver mining localities.

Jáchymov is renowned for classic silver minerals, and specimens combining proustite with native arsenic are considered scarce and highly desirable, particularly when proustite occurs as a distinct, well-defined crystal rather than granular aggregates.

Proustite is photosensitive and may darken upon prolonged exposure to strong light; careful storage away from direct light is recommended.