Sylvanite

Description

Sylvanite partially gets its name from an occurrence in Transylvania, but more so, because Sylvanium is an obsolete term for Tellurium. It was originally found in Baia de Arieș, Alba County, Romania, but it’s found in a few hundred localities worldwide. It’s most commonly found near low temperature hydrothermal veins with many other nearby associated important ores.

Sylvanite is photosensitive and can accumulate a dark tarnish if it is exposed to bright light for too long, it has a hardness of 1.5-2 and a specific gravity of 8.2. It’s white, grey and gold colored, as well as purple from the Tellurium.

This specimen comes to us from the Washburn Mine in Sunshine, Colorado, but it’s found abundantly all over Colorado, so go take a hike and find some!