Ag2S
Many references to argentite, particularly in older publications, are most likely acanthite, the form that is stable at lower temperatures. The silver sulphides occur in many silver deposits, usually as black or grey masses, often intermixed with other sulphides such as galena. From a collector’s perspective, micro crystals of acanthite sometimes occur as growths on native silver and other silver-bearing minerals. These growths can be spear-shaped or acicular, and can sometimes occur in a cabinet or drawer sometime after the specimen was collected. The black coating on some native silver is likely to be acanthite.
Selected Australian Occurrences:
- Widespread but many reported occurrences are likely to be as silver ore.
- Broken Hill, New South Wales, particularly at the ABH Consols where it was the main secondary silver mineral, and occurred as well-formed crystals in addition to replacement of other species.
- Magnet Mine, Waratah District, Tasmania, as microscopic crystals on native silver.
- Mount Lyell, Queenstown, Tasmania, where analysis of one specimen yielded 8,765 ounces of silver per ton.
