Silver

A small specimen of native silver from the legendary Kongsberg Silver District, Norway. Delicate branching silver wires and irregular metallic masses are perched on a small matrix of colourless quartz, creating an attractive natural association. While modest in size, the specimen is a genuine representative of one of the world's most celebrated silver localities and displays the characteristic native silver habit for which Kongsberg is renowned.

Discovered in 1623, the Kongsberg Silver Mines rank among the greatest historic silver deposits ever worked, producing exceptional native silver specimens for nearly 350 years before mining ceased in 1958. The district is famous for its intricate wire silvers and spectacular crystallized specimens, many of which now reside in museum collections around the world. Although this example is a modest representative, it could be a good act as a good place holder as it remains a desirable locality specimen from one of mineral collecting's most iconic classic localities.