Topaz on Microcline with Quartz
stock #17.1-524
Hohenstein Massif, Omaruru District
Erongo Region,
Namibia
6.6 x 4.7 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $230
new year 2021
Small, perfect, gem clear Topaz crystals are perched on a Microcline crystal that is perched on a Smokey Quartz crystal. This association of species is a classic assemblage and very well-presented in this Erongo specimen. The condition is good, with some contacts and edge roughness on the matrix, the Topaz are fully perfect even under strong magnification. This was excavated by the "small miners" collective on Hohenstien in 2017.
Very slender Tessin habit Quartz included by Chlorite. A very delicate specimen with the main crystal doubly terminated and hosting two branching smaller crystals. In excellent condition as seen, the proportions are remarkable too, the thickest part of the main crystal is just 2.5 MM. This piece is from a find in 2015 in the incredible Alpine clefts of Ganesh Himal. There were quite a few nice Tessins in the find but most had damage or were not complete. This is a textbook example of this rather uncommon habit.
Cerussite and Anglesite on Galena
stock #16.1-527
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
8.9 x 7.3 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
new year 2021
Cerussite has an incredibly bright refractive index (greater than diamond) so this plate of gemmy, unaltered crystals is striking in person. From Touissit the condition is superb, the crystals have glassy faces, a multitude of forms and contrast well with the dark matrix. There are a few Anglesite crystals present as well and the matrix is a heavy mass of Galena. Most Cerussite is milky or has an altered surface, but gemmy crystals like this are only found in a few localities (all of which are closed). Impossible to capture the brilliant sparkling in a photo but in person this is really impressive.
A golden Barite single crystal with excellent clarity and glassy luster. From finds about 5 years ago at Rosh Pinah, this crystal is included by dozens of perfectly spherical Coronadite balls, and a few are also seen on the exterior as well. These are best appreciated with some magnification which also reveals the zoned nature of the inclusions. Most of the Barite at Rosh Pinah were slender or leafy crystals, this is unusual from just one pocket with this stout form. In excellent condition, some contacting on the lower parts is noted but no damage, the faces are sharp and glassy.
Creedite (purple crystals)
stock #12.1-236
San Antonio Mine
Chihuahua,
Mexico
5.3 x 4.7 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
new year 2021
A well-crystallized older purple Creedite from the 1970 vintage find at Santa Eulalia in the San Antonio Mine. The individual Creedite crystals are glassy lustrous, transparent, in perfect condition and unusually well isolated. The matrix is a dark gossan that adds a nice contrast to the bright Creedites. Ex Glenn Nicol collection. The dark matrix is unusual from this locale, I have only ever seen one other example. Mexican Purple Creedites are far more rare than the orange crystals from Navidad, and good pieces are very hard to come by in recent years.
Mimetite var. Campylite
stock #16.1-367
Dry Gill Mine, Caldbeck Fells
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
4.9 x2.8 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $130
new year 2021
A cute miniature specimen with classic curved crystals of mustard-green Mimetite. The Mimetites contrast well with the matrix and have a good "wet" luster. From the famed Dry Gill locality that was at one time the most important source for the Campylite habit. These are now classics in the mineral world and this is an good value for textbook example of the curved barrel shaped crystals.
An simply outstanding Mendip specimen with a large crystal lined cavity inside a Manganese Oxide mass. The void contains choice Cerussite and Hydrocerussite some in twins and others with reticulated forms, nestled on a sparkling Calcite. This Quarry is famed for the rare Lead minerals that are found here in association with the Manganese deposits in the Carboniferous Limestones. The location is unique and has been the source of at least eight new minerals. That said most of the specimens are not often well crystallized or esthetic. This is an exception as the Lead minerals are well formed and make an attractive display contrasting inside the cavity. The Merehead Quarry now known as the Tor Works Quarry began to be noticed about 80 years ago and is a world class source of many other rare species.
Amethyst - scepter
stock #AX7-210-(635)
Piedra Parada, Las Vigas
Veracruz,
Mexico
6 x 2.3 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
new year 2021
A fine, sharp and richly colored scepter from the great discoveries at Piedra Parada in Veracruz. This piece was in the Larry White Collection and retains his handmade wooden base. The termination has some skeletal or hoppered faces and some smooth faces. From most angles this looks perfect by naked eye but magnification shows some very small chips. Despite that this is far better condition and form than is typical for the locality.
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