Elbaite with Topaz on Cleavelandite
stock #0762-JM-2350
Little Three Mine, Ramona District, San Diego County
California,
United States
6.5 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1100
A fine, fat (4.7 CM thick!) and pretty Elbaite (Ex. John Marshall collection) that is from mining over 50 years ago. A nice American classic, this dark green crystal has several Topaz prisms up to 6mm. Overall very sharp and lustrous, broken on the bottom where the crystal sits, the rest of the prism is perfect undamaged and displays very well. With strong lighting the deep green color is clearly seen but in low light the color looks nearly black.
This is the best, brightest and most attractive Dioptase I have seen from the Christmas mine (best known for its Kinoites). It is a feast under magnification with bright slender crystals and lots of colorful associates set off by gemmy Calcites. Ex Mike Shannon Collection, this is in excellent condition damage wise (none!) and the color is much more intense than the monitor shows. Eye catching display quality.
Delicate, transparent leafy Calcites rise from the matrix that includes Copper secondaries (mostly Aurichalcite) which adds a green hue. Ex Jim Hansen Collection, this Classic Bisbee specimen is in perfect condition and has striking esthetics. A great Bisbee classic and a fine Calcite for any suite.
A sculptural matrix hosts clear pale yellow Fluorites the largest 2.3 CM in size. From mining in the 1970's, this is a fine gem like crystal from an important but small find. By naked eye these are perfect, only with 10x magnification can some tiny edge roughness be seen. An excellent example of an uncommon locality and look for an American Fluorite.
SOLD Wulfenite
stock #SOLD ALEC_3-362
Red Cloud Mine, Silver District, Trigo Mts, La Paz County
Arizona,
United States
4.7 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $0
From the April 1st 1996 find, this is a very good cluster of sharp deep red Wulfenites on contrasting black matrix. A dusting of small sparkling calcites are noted on a few faces which adds an extra flash. An American classic location, the Red Cloud mine is now gone and there will be no more. This specimen is in fine condition, all the major crystals are perfect, micro damage is noted on some areas at the edges but the naked eye display is fine. Display is excellent on both sides. Better specimens like this one are fast rising in price. A very good value.
Diopside (Gem Crystals, Classic Location)
stock #12.1-024
Calvin Mitchell Prospect, Dekalb, Dekalb County
New York,
United States
7.4 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A fine old, rare Classic Northestern US specimen that is also esthetic! Formerly in the Phil Scalisi collection and an Arkenstone listing, the deep green, clear gem crystals are over 2cm scattered on a quartz matrix. Sawn on the base so it sits perfectly, this piece has had a recent trimming and high-tec cleaning that exposed more crystals than were previously visible. For the size this is best matrix example I have seen in any top collection or institution. Most of the crystals are facet grade, sharp and lustrous. There is some outer edge contacting and very minor damage where removed but nothing that detracts and the main crystals are remarkably pristine.
An really cute miniature classic that has great impact for its size. A light blue tabular windowpane style crystal rises from the contrasting calcite matrix. Far better esthetics than average and in perfect condition by eye, 20x Magnification finds a very tiny chip on one side near the base. This less common tabular style crystallization is very delicate and easily damaged, few pristine pieces make it to the market.
From the John Marshall collection of Pyromorphites, an important locality piece that is also just a good looking specimen. The Sherman Mine was a significant location in the late 1950- 60's that occasionally produced some nice green Pyromorphite. This unusual specimen has yellow-orange and green crystals to 1.5 CM and micros of wulfenite as a bonus. Found many years before the discoveries at Bunker Hill, this rare piece is different from most specimens found in the region, and unique for this mine. Very good condition, looks perfect by naked eye, but 10X magnification reveals damage that is not otherwise noticed.
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