Name 1
BRICK ORE
Name 2
/
ID number
002.44.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;G-1006
Type of Object
Ore deposit
Description
Short description
Because of its typical brick colour, the mining name of ores of this type is brick ores. Brick ores are very rich, relatively common cinnabar ores. They occur in the Triassic faults, but in smaller quantities. The dark grey dolomite marl is attached to the sides of rich mineralisation. The contact is pyritised. Tiny lenses of pyrite can also be observed in the marl.
Measures
Length 18 cm, width 9 cm, height 6 cm.
Materials
Cinnabar, dolomite marl.
Dating
Triassic – Lower Scythian.
Author / Producer
/
Picture attachments
Original use
The sample is a typical epigenetic vascular brick ore with 30.85% mercury. Rich mineralisation represents the filling of the open Triassic fault (normal fault). The sample is taken in such a way that a part of the enclosing rock is still attached to the brick ore – Lower Scythian dolomite marl. The contact is a former fault wall and it is strongly pyritised. During the Triassic tectonic phase, many of the open faults (normal faults) were formed and also many fractures, upon which hot hydrothermal solutions, greatly enriched with mercury, flowed in. Triassic faults were usually fully closed with a very rich ore – in our case with brick ore – and sometimes only with pyrite.
Present use
The described brick ore sample is being preserved, secured and presented as important natural heritage of mining in Idrija with exceptional universal values. The specimen represents one of the natural features of Idrija ore deposit. It is a part of the geological collection of Idrija Municipal Museum. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum exhibition “Five Centuries of the Mercury Mine and the Town of Idrija”. It can also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Idrija ore deposit, lower pit.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 3).
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The specimen is appropriately preserved. The entire geological collection was professionally completed and placed in the renovated premises of the Idrija Municipal Museum in 1992. Therefore, no additional interventions are necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
1. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never