Native Sulpher w. Gypsum
stock #8.2- 110 X
Girgenti
Sicily,
Italy
4.7x4.2 CM (miniature)
price: $110
From another classic locale this older miniature has well formed orthohombic crystals in an esthetic and oriented arrangement. These mines are long closed and have produced some of the best Sulpher ever found. This is a good example of the crystal form that made this location famous and is affordable compared to most.
Elbaite (tourmaline group)
stock #13-F 312
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri
,
Brazil
3 x 2.1 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $130
A sharp and bright gem crystal with an electric green termination. With even a touch of backlight this glows. Although this is broken at the base where it was removed from the rock, the rest is reasonably clean. By naked eye there is no damage to the main crystal, but with 10X magnification chipping can be seen. The same is true for the tiny sidecar crystals. A good piece for a reasonable price.
Barite on Calcite
stock #8.1-X117
Stoneham, Weld County
Colorado,
United States
4.2x4.1 CM (miniature)
price: $80
Nice light blue Barite, standing on a contrasting yellow crystaline calcite. The main crystal is 2.7 CM and sharp with no damage. There are some very small crystals scattered on the matrix that do show damage but they are not distracting. An attractive piece from this classic American locality, at an attractive price.
Hematite SOLD
stock #AC-224 SOLD
Florence Mine, Egremont
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
3.4 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $250
This stalactitic form or "nipple Hematite" is a British classic, the form is distinctive and uncommon. Looking like an oversized nipple on a stalactite of hematite, this was one of a small suite sold by the Schortman brothers, this one was purchased from them in the late 60's. I have only seen two others in the past 10 years offered for sale.
A pre-1930's piece from the classic location of Bad Ems, best known for fine pyromorphites. This is a sharp, glassy cerussite with only minor edge chipping. It is rare to see minerals of this quality available from these old European locations.
Bournonite
stock #6.2-893
Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Yizhang County
Hunan,
China
3.5x3 CM (small miniature)
price: $160
Very bright, metalic and with fine luster, this bournonite miniature shows excellent form with a pleasing contast to the matrix. Much better than usual condition for this delicate, brittle mineral, however there is some chipping and contacting like all of these have. The main crystal shows a fantastic cogswheel form. Since well crystalized Bournonite is very uncommon, the better Chinese examples are already becoming classics. For now, this is a bargain!
Spinel (historic locale)
stock #AC-034
Amity, Orange County
New York,
United States
3.6 x 2.8 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $145
A fairly sharp and substantial single crystal of Spinel from this lost historic location. Old Schortman label included. The crystal appears black but some edges under magnification show a dark translucent green that may be an alteration. Tiny bits of mica and calcite still adhere but this really not a matrix piece, but simply a single octahedron from a lost, classic locality. Some chipping and contacts but still in reasonable condition given the age of this piece.
Pyromorphite
stock #4.2-458.1
Daoping Lead-Zinc Mine, Yangshao
Guanxi,
China
2.4x2.5 CM (thumbnail)
price: $40
A very well formed and sharp cluster of hoppered crystals with good color. These are from the early 2001 finds and are simply great Pyromorphites at a super price.
