Highland Bell Mine, Beaverdell, Greenwood Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada

Two sprays of acanthite feathers. Photographed by and in the collection of Douglas Merson.

© 2018 Douglas Merson

Acanthite only, appears to be a floater. Photo by A. Homenuke

SILVER, CALCITE

© Quebul Fine Minerals

Wrought-iron black platy sternbergite crystals with a triangular aspect in vuggy sternbergite and with various earthy to waxy yellow, tan, and pastel-red secondary coatings. Numerous tiny transpant blocky crystals occur on the sternbergite crystal faces. Small scattered patches of longwave LED fluorescent dull-yellow and white minerals are also ...

© Van King

Crude tabular intergrown sternbergite crystals with dull-yellow sphalerite (fluorescent) and black undertimined mineral that has good to poor cleavage.

© Van King

Silver, Acanthite ps Argentite, Calcite. Purchased from Bruno Goetting, the mine manager in 1985. The matrix is very dense ore composed of sphalerite, galena, pyrite and probably pyrargyrite. Needs to be trimmed!

© David K Joyce

Silver wire with black acanthite spears. Photographed by and in the collection of Douglas Merson.

© 2018 Douglas Merson

Polybasite on quartz. Crystal is .5mm. Photographed by and in the collection of Doug Merson.

© 2003 Doug Merson

A 10.0 x 5.8 x 3.7 cm matrix, this very rich throughout with metallic gray well defined crystals of acanthite to 0.2 cm in size. There are groupings of dark gray ropy wire native silver present as well.

© Dan & Diana Weinrich Minerals

Another great piece from Dad's collection.

The sample is 6 cm x 5 cm. This is a Quartz vein from the Highland Bell mine with silver minerals in late-stage planar sulphosalt fillings. The main silver mineral is a brown metallic phase that matches Sternbergite, with lesser amounts of ruby-red transparent Pyrargyrite. This would be lower-grade silver ore than the Native Silver or ...

Pyrargyrite - rich (probably deep red when fresh) nearly black, massive 5 x 3.5 x 3 section associated with quartz. See additional photo.

© Christopher O'Neill

a 4.7mm curly wire on a larger flat wire. Photographed by, and in the collection of, Karl Volkman

© Karl Volkman 8/14/05

Polybasite crystal on native silver. Brent Thorne specimen and photograph.

© Brent Thorne 2009

A beautiful specimen from my Father's personal collection.

A 10.0 x 5.8 x 3.7 cm matrix, this very rich throughout with metallic gray well defined crystals of acanthite to 0.2 cm in size. There are groupings of dark gray ropy wire native silver present as well.

© Dan & Diana Weinrich Minerals

A 10.0 x 5.8 x 3.7 cm matrix, this very rich throughout with metallic gray well defined crystals of acanthite to 0.2 cm in size. There are groupings of dark gray ropy wire native silver present as well.

© Dan & Diana Weinrich Minerals

6.5cm mass of wires of silver with a 1.5cm central wire. Photographed by Karl Volkman. In the collection of Donald Volkman.

© Karl Volkman 1/18/08

The sample is 8 cm x 6 cm. This high-grade ore sample from the Highland Bell Mine has medium grained Pyrargyrite (metallic black with red highlights only in very strong light) in the interstacies of coarse grained, metallic Galena. The Galena has noticeable cleavage whereas Pyrargyrite does not. This would be considered high grade silver ore ...

Cm size acanthite crystals in a shallow vug on a matrix rich in quartz and pyrite. X Art Soregaroli collection. His label specified the specimen was from the Blacksmith adit. The scale under the specimen is an inch with a rule at 1 cm.

© Rock Currier

10.9 x 7.2 x 3.4 cm. Very rare, old-time, large combination material from this well-known silver mine. The Bell Mine and Highland Lass Mine were merged in 1930 to form the Highland Bell Mine. Botryoidal fluorite is rare worldwide and is extremely rare from this mine, as are the scattered colorless, nail-head calcite rhombs. The numerous fluorite ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

3.8 x 3.4 x 2.4 cm. A 1.0 cm, nice, metallic-gray, layered, pseudo-hexagonal, polybasite twilling is aesthetically set next to a coiled silver wire in contrasting quartz matrix on this showy combination from this British Columbia silver mine. Such well-constructed combinations are uncommon from here. Excellent material from the Bob Soregaroli ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

A large mass of dark Pyrargyrite on a small matrix of silvery Galena and yellow bronze Pyrite. JSS specimen and photo.

© 2018JSS

7.8 x 7.8 x 2.8 cm. An impressive large mass of rich silver ore from this well-known British Columbia silver mine. The sculptural piece is essentially solid lustrous, silver-metallic, granular pyrargyrite with just a bit of pyrite, galena and quartz noted on the back. You can see red highlights under bright light. The Styrofoam base (dating to the ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

A cluster of twisted, silvery wires on a sulfide matrix. 2.6 cm

© Cindy Hasler

This specimen hosts several broad, compressed acanthite crystals in association with tiny native silver wires and some intergrown pyrite as well. Upon close inspection with a loupe or scope one can see some tiny crystalline features on areas of the acanthite as well.

© Jasun McAvoy www.mineralman.com

2.0 x 1.7 x 0.3 cm

© Maggie Wilson

9.7 x 6.4 x 6.6 cm. Nestled in two adjacent vugs, an inch apart, in massive, white calcite are botryoids of fluorite. One vug has purple fluorite and one vug green fluorite. Rare for this locality.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

6.5 x 4.8 x 4.8 cm. A terminated, 4.2 cm, glassy, translucent, hexagonal, light pink manganoan calcite crystal is set atop the hefty matrix of nearly solid platy polybasite ore on this very rare, extremely rich and excellent combination ore specimen from this well-known silver mine. Choice material from the Art Soregaroli Collection.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

3.8 x 3.4 x 2.4 cm. A 1.0 cm, nice, metallic-gray, layered, pseudo-hexagonal, polybasite twilling is aesthetically set next to a coiled silver wire in contrasting quartz matrix on this showy combination from this British Columbia silver mine. Such well-constructed combinations are uncommon from here. Excellent material from the Bob Soregaroli ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Polybasite on quartz Doug Merson photo and collection

© 1/2017 Douglas Merson

2.5 x 0.5 x 0.3 cm

© Maggie Wilson

This specimen hosts several broad, compressed acanthite crystals in association with tiny native silver wires and some intergrown pyrite as well. Upon close inspection with a loupe or scope one can see some tiny crystalline features on areas of the acanthite as well.

© Jasun McAvoy www.mineralman.com

10.9 x 7.2 x 3.4 cm. Very rare, old-time, large combination material from this well-known silver mine. The Bell Mine and Highland Lass Mine were merged in 1930 to form the Highland Bell Mine. Botryoidal fluorite is rare worldwide and is extremely rare from this mine, as are the scattered colorless, nail-head calcite rhombs. The numerous fluorite ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Stephanite (platy xls), Argentopyrite (blocky hexagonal xls, barely visible in the rusty areas); 6.2 cm tall. Highland Bell Mine, Beaverdell, British Columbia, Canada. Private collection (ex Art Soregaroli collection); Mark Mauthner photo.

© Mark Mauthner

Silver wires on quartz (var. geyserite) with irridescent pyrite. Much geyserite was picked off by current owner to expose more silver. x - T. M. Phetteplace collection, No. 593, (purchased in 1960 from Ed McDole at Albuquerque Show). Photo by A. Homenuke

7.9 x 5.9 x 3.0 cm. Two clusters of variably burnished, curled and curved silver wires are nicely set on the matrix plate that contains much acanthite and very uncommon calcite. Rich and hefty ore, self-collected by Art Soregaroli. Rare and excellent combination material.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

10.9 x 7.2 x 3.4 cm. Very rare, old-time, large combination material from this well-known silver mine. The Bell Mine and Highland Lass Mine were merged in 1930 to form the Highland Bell Mine. Botryoidal fluorite is rare worldwide and is extremely rare from this mine, as are the scattered colorless, nail-head calcite rhombs. The numerous fluorite ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

2.6 x 2.1 x 1.0 cm. The Highland Bell mine has been operational for well over a century and is known among collectors for its rich, arborescent silvers. And for quality, this piece is no exception. Rather than an arborescent habit, the silver wires curl this way and that in and around the calcites, creating a lovely and very aesthetic snake-like ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

9.7 x 6.4 x 6.6 cm. Nestled in two adjacent vugs, an inch apart, in massive, white calcite are botryoids of fluorite. One vug has purple fluorite and one vug green fluorite. Rare for this locality.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

9.7 x 6.4 x 6.6 cm. Nestled in two adjacent vugs, an inch apart, in massive, white calcite are botryoids of fluorite. One vug has purple fluorite and one vug green fluorite. Rare for this locality.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Section of 2 cm wide calcite vein with ropy silver wires and acanthite crystals to 1 cm. Calcite was leached to expose silver and acanthite. Minor calcite and laumontite remain

Mass of curled silver wires on calcite with minor acanthite. Photo by A. Homenuke.

This specimen consists of a large and highly complex group of acanthite crystals in association with a small amount of quartz. The acanthite is actually much more well crystallized than it might appear in the photos. The acanthite crystals boast numerous broad and well-defined faces throughout. This specimen is quite rich and heavy for its size. ...

© Jasun McAvoy www.mineralman.com

Group of wire silver. Richard Green coll.& photo. Olympus E1 camera with bellows and 20mm. macro lens. Modified by CombineZP

© R.D.Green

7.0 x 5.2 x 4.0 cm. The Highland-Bell mine has been operational for well over a century and is known among collectors for its rich, arborescent Silvers. This piece is no exception, but is much more massive than others I have seen available with a good heft to it and solid matrix. The Silver wires curl this way and that, creating dense curving ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Silver, Acanthite, Calcite; 1.6 cm across(wire 4 mm tall). Highland Bell Mine, Beaverdell, Greenwood Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada. Mark Mauthner photo.

© Mark Mauthner

6.5 x 4.8 x 4.8 cm. A terminated, 4.2 cm, glassy, translucent, hexagonal, light pink manganoan calcite crystal is set atop the hefty matrix of nearly solid platy polybasite ore on this very rare, extremely rich and excellent combination ore specimen from this well-known silver mine. Choice material from the Art Soregaroli Collection.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Silver wires coated by acanthite. Photo by A. Homenuke

Stephanite, pyrargyrite I purchased this specimen from Bruno Goetting, Mine Manager, in January of 1986. I think Bruno thought it was an acanthite specimen. The vug that holds the stephanite crystals is surrounded by pyrargyrite.

© David K Joyce

7.0 x 5.2 x 4.0 cm. The Highland-Bell mine has been operational for well over a century and is known among collectors for its rich, arborescent Silvers. This piece is no exception, but is much more massive than others I have seen available with a good heft to it and solid matrix. The Silver wires curl this way and that, creating dense curving ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Hackly masses and curved wires of bright native Silver form an elongated crest across the top of the specimen. The matrix is crystalline and massive black Acanthite. Minor Galena cleavages are also present as part of the matrix. Personal collection of Sharon Cisneros.

© Eugene & Sharon Cisneros

7.9 x 5.9 x 3.0 cm. Two clusters of variably burnished, curled and curved silver wires are nicely set on the matrix plate that contains much acanthite and very uncommon calcite. Rich and hefty ore, self-collected by Art Soregaroli. Rare and excellent combination material.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

7.0 x 5.2 x 4.0 cm. The Highland-Bell mine has been operational for well over a century and is known among collectors for its rich, arborescent Silvers. This piece is no exception, but is much more massive than others I have seen available with a good heft to it and solid matrix. The Silver wires curl this way and that, creating dense curving ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

An impressive, sculptural, thick and rare vein mass of solid hackly silver from this well-known silver mine. This century-old silver mine is famous for beautiful arborescent wire silver specimens. The silver has a pretty highly variable patina and a small amount of embedded quartz. Some areas have a dark gray acanthite coating, especially the ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

Many small crystals of Acanthite to 10x6mm. in calcite, the larger ones hollow. Note: This is primarily acanthite and NOT a pseudomorph after argentite. Collected by Doug Scott in August,1969. (See Min. Record,1971, Vol.2 #5, pp.203-209, J.D. Scott, Collecting Rare Sulfosalts in British Columbia) Doug Scott Collection

© JR Montgomery

An impressive, sculptural, thick and rare vein mass of solid hackly silver from this well-known silver mine. This century-old silver mine is famous for beautiful arborescent wire silver specimens. The silver has a pretty highly variable patina and a small amount of embedded quartz. Some areas have a dark gray acanthite coating, especially the ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

This was my first Highland Bell specimen, obtained in a trade with George Babet in 1971. Photo by A. Homenuke

Silver, Acanthite ps Argentite, Calcite. Purchased from Bruno Goetting, the mine manager in 1985. The matrix is very dense ore composed of sphalerite, galena, pyrite and probably pyrargyrite. Needs to be trimmed!

© David K Joyce

Stephanite, pyrargyrite I purchased this specimen from Bruno Goetting, Mine Manager, in January of 1986. I think Bruno thought it was an acanthite specimen. The vug that holds the stephanite crystals is surrounded by pyrargyrite.

© David K Joyce

Many small crystals of Acanthite to 10x6mm. in calcite, the larger ones hollow. Note: This is primarily acanthite and NOT a pseudomorph after argentite. Collected by Doug Scott in August,1969. (See Min. Record,1971, Vol.2 #5, pp.203-209, J.D. Scott, Collecting Rare Sulfosalts in British Columbia) Doug Scott Collection

© JR Montgomery

Many small crystals of Acanthite to 10x6mm. in calcite, the larger ones hollow. Note: This is primarily acanthite and NOT a pseudomorph after argentite. Collected by Doug Scott in August,1969. (See Min. Record,1971, Vol.2 #5, pp.203-209, J.D. Scott, Collecting Rare Sulfosalts in British Columbia) Doug Scott Collection

© JR Montgomery

Dark grey granular pyrargyrite with red hues. JSS specimen and photo.

Stephanite, pyrargyrite I purchased this specimen from Bruno Goetting, Mine Manager, in January of 1986. I think Bruno thought it was an acanthite specimen. The vug that holds the stephanite crystals is surrounded by pyrargyrite.

© David K Joyce

An impressive, sculptural, thick and rare vein mass of solid hackly silver from this well-known silver mine. This century-old silver mine is famous for beautiful arborescent wire silver specimens. The silver has a pretty highly variable patina and a small amount of embedded quartz. Some areas have a dark gray acanthite coating, especially the ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

Here is a hard to find wire silver specimens from the Beaverdell area (namely the Highland Bell Mine) in British Columbia. These beautiful silvers are rarely seen on the market, but the best specimens are every bit as attractive and charming as those from old classic localities like Kongsberg, Norway or Freiberg, Germany or even contemporary ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

An impressive, sculptural, thick and rare vein mass of solid hackly silver from this well-known silver mine. This century-old silver mine is famous for beautiful arborescent wire silver specimens. The silver has a pretty highly variable patina and a small amount of embedded quartz. Some areas have a dark gray acanthite coating, especially the ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

Here is a hard to find wire silver specimens from the Beaverdell area (namely the Highland Bell Mine) in British Columbia. These beautiful silvers are rarely seen on the market, but the best specimens are every bit as attractive and charming as those from old classic localities like Kongsberg, Norway or Freiberg, Germany or even contemporary ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

Attractively formed, 1.6 cm curved wire of native Silver, no matrix. Personal collection of Sharon Cisneros.

© Eugene & Sharon Cisneros

Here is a hard to find wire silver specimens from the Beaverdell area (namely the Highland Bell Mine) in British Columbia. These beautiful silvers are rarely seen on the market, but the best specimens are every bit as attractive and charming as those from old classic localities like Kongsberg, Norway or Freiberg, Germany or even contemporary ...

© Rob Lavinsky & MineralAuctions.com

The microstructure of high-grade silver ore from Beaverdell. Cross section through a fine-grained, complex intergrowth of strongly fractured clusters of arsenopyrite crystals (light creamy grey), pyrite crystals (pale yellow), porous aggregates of sphalerite (spotty medium grey, partially filled with microscopically inclusions of chalcopyrite), ...

© Günter Grundmann, Detmold.

Silver, Acanthite, ps Argentite. Purchased from Dan Weinrich at Tucson show, 2010.

The microstructure of high-grade silver ore from Beaverdell. Cross section through a fine-grained, complex intergrowth of strongly fractured clusters of pyrite crystals (Py - pale yellow), porous aggregates of sphalerite (Sp – spotty medium grey, partially filled with microscopically drops of chalcopyrite – Ccp), and galena (Gn – bluish ...

© Günter Grundmann, Detmold.

The microstructure of high-grade silver ore from Beaverdell. Cross section through a fine-grained, complex intergrowth of strongly fractured clusters of arsenopyrite crystals (brown-red to blue anisotropy), and pyrite crystals (slightly anomalous anisotropy), in a matrix of vuggy quartz gangue (various dispersed light internal ...

© Günter Grundmann, Detmold.

The microstructure of high-grade silver ore from Beaverdell. Cross section through a fine-grained, complex intergrowth of strongly fractured clusters of arsenopyrite crystals (Apy – white to creamy white), pyrite crystals (Py - pale yellow), partially cemented by chalcopyrite (Ccp – yellow), minor galena (Gn – light grey), minor acanthite ...

© Günter Grundmann, Detmold.