The blackish ore is considered the best kind of ore found in the mines. Much of this ore contains a mixture of a shining yellow substance, often called marcasite. If this yellow material is present in a small amount, it is not seen as harmful. In fact, miners sometimes welcome it because it helps the ore melt more easily in the furnace. It makes the metal more fluid and easier to work with during the smelting process. However, if the yellow substance is present in too large a quantity, the miners believe it becomes dangerous to the value of the ore Descent into the Windschacht Mine.
They say that when there is too much of this yellow material, it harms the silver in the ore. During melting, it can cause the silver to be lost by making it too volatile. Because of this, the miners call it a “robber,” since it seems to steal away the richness of the ore and reduce the amount of silver that can be obtained from it.
The Red Substance Called Cinnabar of Silver
Another material often found in the ore is a red substance known as the cinnabar of silver. This red mineral grows together with the ore and can be separated from it. When this substance is ground into powder and mixed with oil, it produces a bright red color. This color, called vermilion, can be equal to or even better than the vermilion made by artificial chemical processes. Because of its beauty and usefulness, this red mineral is highly valued by those who study minerals and colors.
Crystals and Other Minerals in the Mines
Besides silver ore, many other natural minerals are found in these mines. Crystals and amethysts can often be seen growing in the cracks and clefts of the rocks. Sometimes they are found very near the ore itself, and sometimes they are joined directly to it. These crystals are admired for their beauty and their natural formation within the earth Private Tours Istanbul.
Vitriol is also found in these mines. It appears naturally crystallized in the ground and can be seen in several mining areas. One particular mine, located in a place known as Paradise Hill, contained a notable amount of this mineral. At that time, the mine belonged to a man named Jacobus Schrviboda, an apothecary at whose house the traveler stayed. He generously gave many interesting mineral specimens, which showed the great variety hidden inside the earth.
Variety in the Richness of Silver Ore
There is a great difference in the richness of silver ore. Some ores contain a large amount of earth, stone, marcasite, vitriol, and other materials mixed within them. Because of these mixtures, not all ores produce the same amount of silver. The richness of the ore can vary greatly from one piece to another.
For example, one hundred pounds of ore may sometimes yield only half an ounce or one ounce of silver. In other cases, it may produce two, three, four, five, or even up to twenty ounces of silver. Ore richer than this is very rare. On special occasions, some ore has been found to contain almost half its weight in silver. Such ore is so rich that it can even be cut with a knife, which shows how pure and valuable it is.
The Role of the Assayer (Probierer)
Whenever a new type of ore is discovered in the mine, a sample of it is immediately taken to an official called the Probierer, or assayer. His duty is to test and judge how rich the ore is in silver. He follows a careful and fair method in his work.
First, he takes equal amounts of each kind of ore. These samples are dried, burned, and then pounded into fine pieces. After that, he adds the same measured quantity of lead to each sample. The mixtures are then melted and purified in a furnace. Finally, he uses very exact scales to measure the metal that is produced. By comparing the weight of the silver obtained with the weight of the original ore, he can determine how rich each sample truly is. This careful testing helps the miners decide which veins of ore are worth further labor and expense.
