002.45.Idrija

Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija

510:IDR;G-1295

Ore deposit

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, but they occur in smaller quantities. The enclosing rock – dark grey slate is attached on the sides of rich mineralisation. The contact is pyritised. Brick ore contains thin slate inclusions. The mould superficial layers of cinnabar can also be observed in the slate enclosing rock. The sample is tectonically polished on one side.

Length 15 cm, width 11.5 cm, height 7 cm.

Cinnabar, slate and pyrite.

Triassic - Scythian marl level with oolitic limestones (Induan)

The sample is a typical epigenetic vascular brick ore. 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, a bituminous slate, is still attached to the brick ore. The contact between a brick ore and an enclosing rock is a wall of Triassic fault and 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.

The brick ore specimen 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.

Idrija ore deposit, lower pit, VII horizon, Talnina MF.

Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 3).

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.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

1. 3. 2018

Never