Orpiment with minor Barite
stock #8AE-977
El'brusskly (Elbrusskii) As Mine
Northern Caucasus Region,
Russia
9.3 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Brilliant, electric color and sparkling luster, this is a very attractive and well proportioned piece. Shows fine clusters of radial and bladed oripment crystals nicely perched on matrix. Scattered micro crystals of Barite add to the appeal. The matrix is sawn on the back for collecting, not visible from the front. There is some minor damage on the face that is visible with magnification, but still this specimen is far better than most from the locale and is by comparison, pristine. These have become hard to get now in any condition, a future classic.
A bright, attractive and well crystallized French example from the area that gave Autunite its name. Distinctly different from the well know Spake Washington Autunites, these are much more rare. Fine lemon-yellow to green crystals and sprays cover much of the flat matrix with individuals reaching over 8MM. Brilliant FL of course. This matrix is exceptionally fragile so we will need to make special shipping or delivery arrangements for this piece. Ex collection of Ernie Schlicter.
Cassiterite (twinned) on Arseopyrite
stock #7FE-131
Viloca Mine (Araca Mine)
Loayza Province, La Paz department,
Bolivia
10.8 X 7.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1750
A very fine, esthetic and pristine example with very well formed twinned prismatic crystal. These are well positioned and free standing with excellent luster. Individual prism reach 2CM and the matrix is well crystallized arsenopyrite for a nice contrast. Nearly all Viloco Cassiterite comes out damaged, this large piece is a rarity as there is only very minor chipping at a a few edges that are not obvious, it is virtually pristine. Displays well from many angles.
Unusual light violet termination on a deep green prism that sits on a shard of matrix. A few scattered crystals of clevelandite are on the tourmaline as well. The crystal is 7 CM long and the termination is complete with minor contacting, mostly on the back side.Displays well and a very good value for an unusual color combination.
Columbite
stock #7FE-190
Golconda Pegmatite district, Governador Valadares, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.8 X 2.3 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $450
A single blocky well terminated crystal with very good lustre. Good sharp Columbites are not common and since its a very brittle mineral there is often lots of damage. With the high prices of Columbium, few good crystals survive now. This is from a find in the 90's Far better than average, very sharp with the termination complete and undamaged. There are a few natural cavities and pits on some faces, undamaged except at the base area where it was removed.
Tourmaline (Elbaite)
stock #8 DK-162
Barra de Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta,
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
5.9 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Holiday Surprises
A big, fat multi colored parrelel growth Elbaite crystal with distinct zoning. Good color -this would cut some large and fine cats eye gems, this is also fluorescent and has two distinct color zones. This has been photographed for an upcoming article on Fl. Tourmaline. Real nice luster and undamaged except at the attachment point . A good value for a large and unusual Elbaite.
Gwindel Quartz (fine gemmy)
stock #8DK-103
Giuv Valley, Tujetsch, Vorderrhein,
Grischun (Grisons),
Switzerland
6.4 x 5.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $1000
Holiday Surprises
A very clear, well defined and simply fine Gwindel. Classic form from one of the great alpine quartz regions, this is in excellent condition with a very smooth curve or twist. These are always highly valued when good and this one is exceptional. The base attachment area and a tiny spot on lower backside are the only imperfections and both are invisible from any normal display angle. This is far more clear and gemmy than
99 % of gwindels I have seen,
Native Copper,with Cuprite xl.
stock #9-1245s
Bisbee, warren District, Mule Mts., Cochise Co.
Arizona,
United States
4.2 x 2.5 CM. (miniature)
price: $400
Holiday Surprises
A lovely, esthetic miniature of dendritic Native Copper with one bright red Cuprite octahedron perched on the corner. From the Ray Schortmann Collection with label.
