Cassiterite
stock #AX-12-213
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
3.8 x 3.3 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $150
pre Tucson 2015 update
There have been many Cassiterites recovered from Xuebaoding, but the prismatic type with the pyramidal termination is by far the rarest form. This is a good lustrous single crystal that shows the habit well. There are contacts and a few tiny chips so the price reflects this yet it is still a very nice example.
Weloganite with Dresserite, Dawsonite
stock #AX-10-946
Francon Quarry, Montreal
Quebec,
Canada
8.5 x 8.1 x 5.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
pre Tucson 2015 update
A sizable cavity filled with sharp Weloganite crystals up to 2.2 CM long. There are numerous tiny crystals of the classic related species (and probably some Strontianites too. The Francon Quarry is now gone, its Weloganites were by far the best ever found worldwide. The biggest of these are undamaged with the elegant complex hourglass habit well presented. There are some "natural" broken crystals in the pocket that show signs of partial rehealing. A good, affordable specimen with some well formed, rare crystals.
A classic assemblage of Adamites with some distinct purple crystals and tiny Lothameyerite crystals scattered as well. The Geothite matrix has several vugs but the largest vug is the most logical for display with a 2.5 CM span of Adamite. The crystals are sharp, glassy and have classic form, in quite good condition, the only damage is at the edges and is mostly not naked eye visible. purple is the rarest color for Adamite and the most desired, usually these are quite expensive.
Vesuvianite
stock #17.1-507
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
2.7 x 2.4 x 2.6 CM (miniature)
price: $950
pre Tucson 2015 update
A top notch large thumbnail (toenail) of gemmy pointed tip type Vesuvianite with a glass-like luster. Competitive quality with no "naked eye" visible damage; (with magnification there is some damage on tiny crystals of the base), and a fine architecture. This has a lot of visual impact for the small size. The green Vesuvianites from Jeffrey were more common than the purple and other hues, but really good gemmy specimens like this were always rare and now are considered the world's best.
Beryl v. Aquamarine & Euclase on Quartz
stock #6.2-471
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
8 x 4.1 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $170
pre Tucson 2015 update
A rare combination piece combining Euclase and more typical species from the heyday of the Xuebaoding discoveries. This great locale produced incredible specimens of Scheelite, Cassiterite and many others, but Euclase was always rare. This specimen features a sizable (for the locale) over 7CM Quartz crystal with well formed free standing transparent Aquamarine Beryl. The specimen also features several Euclase to about 9MM that show some good transparency. The condition is good overall some backside area chipping is noted with magnification. We have never seen many Euclase from Xuebaoding and none for a few years.
Fluorite - spinel twin
stock #8.1-068
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
6.3 x 2.2 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $700
pre Tucson 2015 update
A very rare Chinese example of a light pinkish spinel- twinned Fluorite perched on a Muscovite matrix along with a few small Aquamarine Beryls. From the great locale of Xuebaoding, which has been the source of several habits of cubic Fluorite, but spinel twins and in this color are almost unheard of. Etched faces on all sides there is no damage seen even at 20 magnification. An important specimen for this major locale.
Scheelite on Dolomite with minor Ferberite
stock #4.2-175
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.3 x 4.1 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
pre Tucson 2015 update
A Yaoganxian Scheelite that is really attractive and has very sharp individual crystals to 1.3 CM. Great luster and translucent Scheelite contrasts well with the crystallized Dolomite matrix. A few crystals at the edges are incomplete they seem contacted, but the main specimen is in excellent condition. The entire specimen is formed over Ferberite crystals that are responsible for the bladed shape of the whole piece. The Ferberite is encased in Dolomite and only visible at the base where it was removed.
Calcite w. Dolomite & Marcasite
stock #AX-17-881
Benchmark Quarry, St. Johnsville, Montgomery County
New York,
United States
6.5 x 3.3 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
pre Tucson 2015 update
A very odd and esthetic twinned Calcite sits on a thin shaft of matrix that has some Marcasite and Dolomite adding nice accents. The yellow Calcite has a great contrast to the matrix, and is quite translucent. This is the best form of this type Calcite I have seen, it comes from from the amazing NY collection of William Hladysz. Certainly one of a kind.
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