A matrix plate hosting several sharp, gem clear Apatite crystals from the small find in late 2021 at Huanzala (Peru). In excellent condition, the Apatites are undamaged, a rich lemon-yellow color and brightly lustrous. This was a small find from a famed locality but not well-known for Apatites of such quality. This specimen was selected as one of the few with good condition and well-exposed Apatite from about 40 pieces in this find.
Wulfenite - modern classic Mexican
stock #22.1-270
Ahumada Mine, Los Lamentos
Chihuahua,
Mexico
10 x 8.7 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Spring 23
Sharp, lustrous wet-looking Wulfenite crystals cover a large matrix face. Fine early specimen from the famed Los Lamentos finds, this one is late 1960s era. The crystals have the deep orange color that is indicative and most desirable from this locality. The shape of the crystals (cube like blocky habit) is also classic from this locality. This is in fine condition overall with dozens of crystals in perfect shape and only a few tiny spots of chipping that are not obvious in any normal display.
Fine large Chalcopyrite crystals are surprisingly rare worldwide. This is a superb piece and outstanding from this old Mexican locality. Zacatecas is a classic locale and it has been noted for some fine Chalcopyrites, probably the best ever found in Mexico and among the best from all of North America. These are superb crystals, sharp, sizable and with a great patina. Overall the esthetics and arrangement are superb on this piece. Ex John Marshall collection, this has small Quartz and some minor Galena as well. The largest twin is almost 4 CM across but 2 CM is more typical. This is certainly an important Mexican specimen, the crystals are equal to the very best we have seen in any museum. It dates back to the 1970 era.
Spinel
stock #21.1-061
Parker Mine, Laurentides
Quebec,
Canada
3.3 x 2.8 x 1.7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $110
Spring 23
Anatase - classic location and form
stock #21.1-530
Hardanngervidda, West, Odda, Ullensvang
Vestland,
Norway
1.4 x .6 x ..7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $180
Spring 23
A very sharp dark Anatase crystal with a bluish color from the classic Norwegian locality of Hardangervidda. In excellent condition and with fine luster on many of the faces. The area that holds these is quite vast but now nearly all of the well-known spots are in a National Park and no collecting has been done for many years. Although this area had some active mines long ago, the Anatase was only found in the occasional Alpine cleft and not in general mining. These crystals have been prized for well over 150 years and are in all great museums.
Fluorite - penetration twins
stock #16.1-740
Aouli. Midelt, Khenifra Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
5.5 x 4.3 x 2.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $380
Spring 23
Bright yellow, transparent to translucent cubes of Fluorite that look a lot like Hilton Mine (England) specimens, but are in fact Moroccan. This shows a very nice penetration twin as well much like British pieces. Good Hilton Mine pieces are highly prized and pricey, this piece is in fine condition, has great esthetics, and is far more affordable. When lit by strong illumination the orange brown matrix on the backside can be seen through the yellow crystals. This is a very choice piece from this find in 2017.
Cerussite - large twin crystal
stock #6.2-921
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.4 x 6.7 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Spring 23
Cerussite crystal in a sixling form with 4 of the 6 arms being well-defined and terminated, and two truncated. The Cerussite is a milky white color with some smoky phantom areas. This is almost pure Cerussite (458 Grams) with just a little adhering matrix in a few areas. The specimen on close exam seems to be an intergrowth of two or more twins in parallel position. Some rough spots are noted that are very small and almost invisible on the front display side, some chipping is seen on the back. From the side the Cerussite arms show well-defined striations and several areas of transparency. This is not perfect as noted above, but very few are ever fully perfect. This is a famously delicate and fragile mineral but this one has a classic form, large size, and a very good value for a cabinet sized Cerussite.
Grossular - gem crystals on matrix
stock #19.1-590
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
5.6 x 5.3 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1900
Spring 23
Excellent gem clear Garnet crystals on contrasting matrix from the famed Jeffrey Mine. One of the most desirable (and rare) sorts of Grossular are the isolated crystals on dark matrix. These crystals are unusually well-isolated, the two that do touch are just barely in contact. Usually the crystals are tightly clustered and incomplete. The crystals themselves have the well-defined striations and lustrous faces that have made these world class Garnets and highly prized. Ex Martell collection (old collection number is painted on the underside). It is very unusual too that some Jeffrey Garnets are known to be fluorescent, usually just a few percent of the pink or green colors react. This piece however is also Fluorescent, a pink-red color which is very rare in the orange colored Garnets from Jeffrey or from anyplace in the world. Choice.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)