Twinned Calcite on Sphalerite
stock #8.1-270
Elmwood Mine, Carthage
Tennessee,
United States
12 x 10 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Perfect jewel-like amber cognac color calcites (largest is 7.7 CM) set on a dark red to black matrix of crystalized sphalerite. No damage and only one tiny contact on one of the smaller calcites, this is a pristine piece that has top notch luster. The main crystal is the sort of twin sometimes described as a "frog" where one half of the twinned pair develops selectively and makes a froglike crystal. An Elmwood classic that is far better than you could usually expect in this price range.
Spessartine (Garnet group)
stock #8.1-302 AC
Santa Rosa
California,
United States
2.8 x 2.3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $125
An old collection item labeled Santa Rosa that is composed of deep red-purple garnets oriented together ina geometric cluster. I can not find much information on this locality but a single vague reference for Santa Rosa of Sonoma County has been noted as a source of Spessartine. This looks very much like some garnets that are classic for the San Diego area pegmatites but the stacking is rather unusual. Based on the provenance I am inclined to believe the label is accuarate. The piece itself is attractive, in good but not perfect condition. There is slight chipping and edgewear but overall this still looks fine and has a good glow as well.
Calcite twin on Dolomite
stock #8.1-271
Elmwood Mine, Carthage
Tennessee,
United States
15.5 x 12.5 x 12 CM (cabinet)
price: $475
A huge (13 x 8.5 CM) gemmy calcite with the rich Cognac color that makes Elmwood so desireable. This sits esthetically on a bedrock dolomite matrix with a few small fluorites adding sparkle to it. It must be said that the crystal is not perfect, there is edge wear, a backside cleave and some contacts on the back, but from the right angles this is not a visual problem. The price is far less as a result. The crystal really glows with any sort of backlighting, the photos here are not backlit, and the imperfections are easier to see this way. A very pretty piece that is not right for an absolute perfectionist but is a super bargain for anyone who appreciates fine calcites or any beautiful minerals!
Is this a Colorado Gwindel? A radiating ball of goethite crystals sits on a single flattened quartz crystal composed of several parellel growths that have a pronounced twist . The form is "gwindel like" but as the back side is less twisted I am not certain if this can be classified as one. I have asked some quartz experts and they are divided mostly because the crystal tappers to a wedge like form and is thus not fully typical. Whatever it can be classified as, it is unusual and a Colorado classic locality piece. This was broken and repaired many years ago (it was in a collection by the 1930's) and it is visible on both sides (more so in the back). There is some chipping and damage to the geothites, but it overall is in good condition.
Smithsonite
stock #8.1-262
Kelly Mine, Magdelena district
New Mexico,
United States
8.5 X 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
A very attractive and unusual crystalized smithsonite from this great American Classic locality. There is a rich crust showing discrete, rounded individual crystals with top quality color and luster on the gossan matrix. Good "wet" look to the crystals and a fine value for this very collectable locality. This is not the usual massive material and different from the "rice grain" type crystals.
SOLD Danburite Crystals on Matrix SOLD
stock #SOLD 8.1-296
Near Russell, St Lawrence County
New York,
United States
6.6 x 4.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $300
Ex Sorbonne Collection and the Elmer Rowley collection, this is the most attractive New York Danburite I have seen. An excellent example (collected 1951 according to the Rowley label) there are many sharp, lustrous and even transparent crystals to 1.4 CM, quite clean of damage, these are virtually never available for sale . While not as showy as Mexican specimens, these are far rarer and the best Danburites ever found in the US and very rare.
A true classic, these older Variscites from the excavations by Ed Over are the gold standard for these and many other phosphate minerals. This is a large, thick slab polished on both sides with several vugs filled with micro xls and showing lots of distinctive muti-replacements, color zones and fortifications. Good examples are now very rare and this is good. There is a small section of the edge rind that is missing on what would be the base where the piece sits. That is not distracting for display but it keeps the price down. This is really a steal for such a fine piece!!
Wulfenite
stock #6.2-939
Hilltop mine (Hand Mine),Rustier Park, Chiricahua Mts. Cochise Co.
Arizona,
United States
7.1 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Outstanding rich yellow color crystals to 2 cm from this important, classic American mine. Hilltop Wulfenites are quite desirable and the best have this lemon to orange- yellow color. This one was part of the famous find by Ed Over that was sold as a lot to the Schortman Brothers thru Arthur Montgomery who then distributed these worldwide. The piece has some damaged crystals that are visible in the photos but it still has an attractive presentation. Top examples of these are incredibly hard to find and very expensive, this one with some damage is still far above average and at a very reasonable price.
