Amethyst - unusual cactus style
stock #23.1-435
Boekenhoutshoek, Mkobola
Mpumalanga,
South Africa
7.5 x 6.8 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
An unusual form of especially choice quality that is a variation of the famed South African "cactus" Quartz. "Cactus" Quartz has been a staple at mineral shows for the past few years, so it takes something unusual to draw attention. This one does. Relatively slender prisms with dark purple terminations are covered with lighter violet druse of tiny Quartz. The druse is oriented in aligned rows of deeper and lighter colors, best seen in person. The purple prisms are on a matrix of orange to yellow drusy Quartz which adds a nice contrast and is an unusual combo. In fine undamaged condition all the tips are intact and sharp. The "cactus" Quartz supply has been sporadic for years and for more than a decade no new finds were made. Despite the quantity that has been found, really good or unusual pieces are quite special and deserve our respect. There is nothing else like these in the entire world and that is saying a lot since Quartz is so common in general.
Sharp and transparent crystals of Selenite in an aligned cluster. These are textbook perfect in form, and oddly enough show no signs of true twinning which is the more common habit. As seen this is in fine condition, no damage but some very minor edge wear is noted just to be comprehensive. Selenite is not rare at all but super fine clear crystals like this are really uncommon. The stack of individual crystals is perfectly oriented and a nice example of epitaxy.
Fluorite with Sphalerite and Dolomite
stock #22.1-265
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Dark vivid purple cubes on a matrix of Sphalerite and sparkling white Dolomite. A nice Elmwood specimen that is of the sort that has made this the great and highly respected locality that it is. In fine condition overall the cubes show the small but well-developed geometric etching that is classic for this mine. The locality has produced many good specimens but better pieces like this are especially choice. Nicer in person.
Fluorite and Dolomite
stock #6.2-210
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
9.4 x 5.4 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $520
For almost 3 decades the Shangbao Mine has produced some fine and diverse Fluorites. Every few years a new style is found and older styles disappear. This is a vintage 2003 specimen with glass clear Fluorites and pinkish Dolomites in fine condition. The Fluorites are cubes with beveled edges and clear glassy central faces. Excellent esthetics, this displays well from many angles and shows both species in a nice balance. Shangbao is one of the greatest Fluorite localities in the world. Later finds were also incredible but of very different style and habit. A choice example of an earlier era, this is a nice addition to any Fluorite collection and especially to a Chinese suite.
Galena and Calcite - USA Classic
stock #0221-JM-3820
Pitcher Field, Tri State District, Ottawa County
Oklahoma,
United States
8.8 x 6.8 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $690
Ex John Marshall collection, a very fine old Tri-state area Galena and Calcite. The Tri-state zone was at one time legendary for the quantity of specimens that seemed to be everywhere in the 1930-60 era. For the most part they are gone now, and higher quality specimens like this that were never plentiful are quite rare to see. The Galena has the desirable stepped geometric faces and gunmetal silver color with bright luster. The Calcites are clustered like a crown and are a great contrast. This specimen seems to be a part of a selection purchased by John from Boodle Lane, the legendary eccentric Tri-State dealer. John bought twice from Boodle about 65 years ago, he had a good eye and selected only special or unusual pieces. Certainly a choice Galena from anyplace and very fine as a tri-state specimen.
Fluorite - Bavaria German classic locale
stock #AX-35-064
Marienschacht Mine, Wolsendorf, Upper Palatinate
Bavaria,
Germany
8.1 x 5 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $200
Translucent mass of small crystals in stepped clusters with almost no matrix at all. The green color and luster are both bright. This is an older specimen from the WG Levinson collection, however without his label, though a later label from Skylar Alverson is included. This dates the specimen to the very early years of this mine as Levison was most active in trading minerals from 1897-1910. With backlighting the entire specimen glows well, it is in quite good condition from this old and now fully closed locality where nothing will ever again be produced.
Very sharp, complete with a rich color. a triangular form crystal that is in fine condition. This form of Rhodochrosite is quite uncommon and was best known in far smaller crystals from the famed Mont Saint-Hilaire. This is however a huge crystal from the 2005-6 finds in China from a limited zone that produced some large flat crystals. Unlike most in the find, this one is complete and undamaged on all the edges and seems to be a floater. Complex small steps and faces are noted on the flat sides and edges, probably the result of dissolution and re-crystallization cycles. Several localities worldwide do have flat habit Rhodochrosites which are very different from the scalenohedral and rhomb crystals that are more typical. However those specimens from most localities are not very distinct as to crystal form, they are rounded much like flat nearly circular disks. This is a very fine exception to the rule, a full sharp triangle.
A fine, sharp and partly gemmy crystal of Scheelite perched and well-exposed on matrix. Bright luster and fine undamaged condition. The crystal is 3 CM across and the color ranges from orange to a straw yellow. From early finds on Mt Xuebaoding, a fine display quality specimen that is of a quality and style not seen in more recent finds.
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