Brazilianite on Albite
stock #12.1-124
Telirio Mine, Linopolis
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.4 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
A clean, bright, sharp and colorful specimen of clustered gemmy Brazilianites on a tiny shard of Albite matrix. The crystals reach 3.5 CM and are in fine condition. From 2009 finds in Linopolis, this is far above average and has a great esthetic, but at an affordable price.
Ebaite (Rubellite) on Quartz
stock #AC-362-(stk)
Pala, San Diego Co.
California,
United States
6.1 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $2400
A FINE classic American Tourmaline specimen, Ex Frank Hess collection. Undamaged, unrepaired, doubly terminated Elbaite (3.5 CM) is penetrating the termination of a compound Quartz crystal. A small green zone is visible at one termination but mostly this is just fine raspberry hue. This specimen dates from pre 1950 Pala area finds, it was sold by Schortmann's minerals but no mine attribution is given, it may have been from any of several small prospects or one of the more famous mines. Classic form and far better than average quality and esthetics for a fine San Diego pegmatite specimen!
An important Chinese specimen and a rarity, this Hubnerite is from the one time small find at Yaogangxian in 1998. It seems these are also the largest Hubnerite crystals known from China, at 9.4 CM! Ferberite (the analog) is famous from Yaogangxian, it has produced some of the worlds best. However, verified Hubnerite is only known in a few specimens. The crystals here are attractively perched on a long Quartz prism and this displays well from either side. The color is a lustrous black to a deep brownish-red. Strong lighting shows red translucence on thin edges of the crystals as is typical for Hubnerite. The crystals are complete, somewhat jagged showing parallel growth with full terminations. A dusting of micro Helvites (not confirmed) add a color contrast. Remarkably this specimen has no noticeable damage on the delicate Hubnerite crystals. For any comprehensive Chinese collection or a Yaogangxian suite, this is something really special!
A Tsumeb classic, a Galena matrix hosts fine sharp Smithsonite crystals up to 3 cm in size. The color is between a salmon pink and a light cognac hue depending on the lighting used to view it. The largest crystal has a cleave on the right rear edge that keeps this very affordable. Fortunately it can be hidden completely by the angle of display and the specimen looks like it cost many times this price!
The most exciting thing from recent finds in inner Mongolia is the rare Pink Fluorites with classic Alpine style that until now were only seen in Western Europe. The associates are similar to Alpine cleft minerals too, these have been quite uncommon so far and unfortunately often very expensive. This is a great example, the largest Fluorite is sharp, to 2.3 CM in size and perched on a contrasting mass of greenish quartz and associates. The Fluorites are in fine condition, a close look at the quartz crystals on the matrix finds some broken tips that are clearly not a distraction on this specimen. This is a tiny fraction of the price for an European example.
Wulfenite with Calcite
stock #AX-2-016
Ahumada Mine, Los Lamentos
Chihuahua,
Mexico
8.4 x 6.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $975
A fine and showy classic Los Lamentos specimen of lustrous butterscotch to orange wulfenite scattered on contrasting sparkling calcite. The Wulfenites are very sharp and glassy, reach 1.5 CM plus and are in some cases selectivly coated on the edges with a rind of calcite crystals. From an older collection, this is a less common style of Wulfenite for Los Lamentos, probably from the deepest zones. The major crystals are perfect damage wise, but some edge zones have minor damage showing. Despite this, for such a delicate, older specimen this is in exceptional condition and displays well.
Erythrite
stock #AX-4-294
Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province
Souss- Massa- Draa Region,
Morocco
6.2 x 4.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $675
The Erythrites of Bou Azzer are the worlds finest. They come out sporadically and the best examples are very much in demand. This is a very fine example, in perfect condition, with showy esthetics, sharp bright crystals and great color. Displays from several angles, a very good value on a contemporary classic!
Vesuvianite
stock #17.1-513
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.5 x 3.7 CM (miniature)
price: $360
A excellent cluster of glassy, bright gem Vesuvianites from the now closed Jeffrey Mine. Modern classics, good examples are now very scarce. A lustrous medium green piece in excellent condition that shows small zones of deep purple and dark emerald green. Expect these to appreciate well.
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