Realgar - single crystal
stock #4.2-185
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
2.2 x 1.1 x .6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $220
new year 2021
A bright red crystal that is translucent to transparent, well-formed and distinctly striated. This crystal was mined in 2003, it has been stored in the dark so is fresh and bright. A few small rough spots are to be mentioned but overall this is in fine shape, well-terminated and a choice thumbnail. When these were found they were certainly the best Realgars available at that time, and are still about as fine as can be seen. Of special note, these Hunan Realgars seemed to keep their color and luster better than specimens from other localities.
Calcite with Realgar inclusions
stock #6.2-066
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
11x7x4CM (cabinet)
price: $2250
Simply incredible! A brilliant red cluster of calcite on matrix with small realgar crystals. Killer esthetics. We obtained this at the mine in 2003 and sold it shortly after- it was the best of the find. Since then we have not seen anything like this. We are pleased to have it back again for resale, The largest calcite crystal is 7.2 CM, and the piece displays well from multiple angles, but it does have a cleave on the backside. The red color on the calcite is from both a coating and inclusions that is primarily realgar, some recent analysis of similar materials have fund trace amounts of some rare rsenic minerals, this one has not been tested for those. Really striking color, the display side has no noticable damage. This will really jump out of any calcite display!
Orpiment on Calcite
stock #AX-15-177-(C117)
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
11.5 x 9.9 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Spring 2019
A very large specimen of fine Calcites richly coated with bright needle Orpiment crystals. Most of the Calcites are twinned and in fine condition, the matrix is a large shard of the same Calcite. A few areas of Realgar are noted too. With backlighting the some of the Calcites show bright red realgar inclusions. Ex Shields Flynn collection, these were a major find about 12 years ago, none since, and the mine is now inactive. A modern Chinese classic not often available in this size or quality. Esthetic.
Orpiment -gemmy crystals on Calcite
stock #6.2-532
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
5.6 x 3.7 x 3.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $875
Spring 2019
Brilliant luster on transparent crystals of Orpiment that are free standing on white Calcite. Top quality for the mineral and for this world class locale, this is damage free and far better in person. Some crystals have an internal chantoyant zone while other are simply transparent. No discoloration or crumbling, this is an older piece that has not been treated with acids or enhanced, it is from 2005 vintage mining. The Shimen mine has been closed for a while and no more specimens are coming. These have been considered to be the worlds best of the specie and are unique in the mineral world. This example is far beyond average, top quality with sharply terminated crystals just over 2 CM tall.
Realgar -doubly terminated crystals
stock #6.2-838
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
4.5 x 3.3 x 1.3 CM (miniature)
price: $380
Sharp, bright gemmy red Realgar with intense color. This specimen has minimal matrix and has not been displayed in bright light so it is still very impressive. This was mined in 2005 so it has held its color very well. Minimal bruises on a few edges are not easily seen by naked eye and the main crystals are in fine shape. The Shimen mine was at one time a prolific source of super (maybe the worlds best) Realgars, but it is no longer operating. The backside of the specimen has just a hint of matrix on it and is contacted where it was attached but the rest is very well crystallized and nearly all crystals show double terminations. Unusually fine for one of these.
Orpiment on Calcite crystal
stock #18.1-743
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
3.1 x 2..1 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $350
From the Chinese finds made more than 15 years ago at Shimen. This is a fine thumbnail sized Gemmy Calcite crystal coated on several sides with slender crystals of Orpiment in orange and yellow colors. These were big news when first discovered and the supply dried up very quickly. There were very few good thumbnails since most of the Calcites were much larger. In fine condition the specimen is better in person and now a modern classic. We obtained this piece in China at that time and sold it shortly after. Glad to see it back and have one to offer today.
Orpiment on Calcite
stock #4.2-311
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
6.4 x 5.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $230
Worldwide mix summer
Orange to yellow Orpiment crystals reaching 3.3 CM on a matrix of Calcite and Orpiment. Vintage 2004, from the once prolific finds at the Shimen mine, these have now disappeared from the market. This matrix has a crack that seems to be stable but is noted as these are very delicate specimens. The Orpiment crystals tend to be a darker red-orange close to the terminations, and are translucent in strong light. Now that the mine is closed these are recognized as modern classics.
Realgar with Calcite- gemmy crystals
stock #8.1-185
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
7.2 x 5.2 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Spring update
A fat, intense red main crystal dominates this Realgar specimen. The Realgar is the less common blocky habit and has top vivid color. Glassy luster, transparent to translucent and a strong display piece. Mined over a decade ago this has been in dark storage ever since so it is pristine and fresh looking. No more is coming out, this is a very choice example. There is damage on the backside where it was removed that is not seen, the front in is fine condition and showy.
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