Where Are Some Locations Where Silver Selenite Can Be Found?
Silver selenite, also known as silver(I) selenite or Ag2SeO3, is a rare mineral that occurs naturally in only a few locations around the world. It is a secondary mineral that forms by the oxidation of other selenium-containing minerals, typically in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and deposits.
Some of the known locations where silver selenite has been found include:
1. Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia - This location has produced some of the finest specimens of silver selenite, along with other rare silver minerals such as chlorargyrite and bromargyrite.
2. Yuma County, Arizona, USA - Silver selenite has been identified in small quantities in several mines in this region, including the Red Cloud Mine and the Black Diamond Mine.
3. Chañarcillo, Atacama Region, Chile - This historic mining district has yielded a few specimens of silver selenite, often associated with other silver minerals such as proustite and pyrargyrite.
4. Guanajuato, Mexico - Several mines in the Guanajuato region have produced silver selenite, including the Santa Margarita Mine and the La Luz Mine.
5. San Francisco Mine, Sonora, Mexico - This mine has produced some of the largest specimens of silver selenite ever found, along with other rare silver minerals such as stephanite and polybasite.
Overall, silver selenite is a relatively uncommon mineral that is prized by collectors for its rarity and distinctive crystal habits, which typically include tabular or platy crystals with a silvery-white to light gray color.