Stibnite with Fluorite coating
stock #8.1-071
Lame (Lamo) Zn-CU deposit, Dachang, Nandan, Hechi Prefecture
Guanxi,
China
8.2 x 7.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Light purple fluorite in complex modified crystals coating Stibnite epitaxially. This specimen is from a one time find at the Dachang mine in Nandan in 2002. We were fortunate to recently find this piece in our storage the very last of the lot we sold years ago. Nice color and form, there is some bruising but most of the fluorite is quite pristine, most of the stibnites are terminated and some show additional alterations. This should be of real interest in any good Fluorite or Stibnite suite, or for a Chinese mineral enthusiast.
Illustrated specimen from the recent Min. Record article on Variscite! From the great early finds by Ed Over in Fairfield, Utah, this is an attractive nodule of colorful and uncommon phosphates. Most pieces like this were sawn and polished to show off the zoning and fortifications, it is rather hard to find a good natural nodule. Very nice colors and loaded with micros, this is classic material and a very good example.
Fluorite on Dolomite and Quartz
stock #6.2-184
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan,
China
7.3 x 5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $160
Something different in a Chinese Fluorite! This is an unusual and somewhat rare form of Flourite from Shangbao. It is also in perfect condition which is also rare! The usual forms for this mine are edge modified cubes, however this piece is different. These modified cubes form one or more faces as fully flat planes with no edge modifications on that plane while all the other have them. I have seen a few examples but only from 2 mines, both in China. I have not heard any explanation of this phenomena. Even at 10X magnification, the fluorites show no damage, they are gemmy, so clear and you can see the matrix thru them. The largest is 1.8 CM and there is a good contrast with the matrix. Not just another Chinese Fluorite! This can be trimmed to a large miniature, we will do this if the buyer requests.
SOLD Carrolite on Calcite
stock #SOLD 7 AE-101
Kambove Mine, 400 Ft level
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
4.7 x 3.8 CM (miniature)
price: $0
A killer matrix miniature sporting superb, mirror bright Carrolites, the largest at about 2 CM and razor sharp. There are a lot of mediocre Carrolite in the market, this is not one! As close to perfect as the species gets, there are minor contacts and micro chipping at some edges but nothing distracting. Well exposed and presented, this is an unrepaired, unrestored and fully natural specimen which is rare since there have been a lot of glued on fakes. There has not been new production of these in recent years and better example like this can stand as the best of the species.
Tourmaline (elbaite)
stock #AC-027
Pala, San Diego Co.
California,
United States
2.8 x 1.7 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $100
A pair of bubblegum pink gem crystals from this classic American location. Excellent luster, color and showing some zoning, there is minor contacting to this very cute crystal group. The terminations are both complete, the smaller one has a more rounded style. At 10x magnification some tiny edge chips are visible, they are not seen by my unaided eyes. Quite close to perfect for one of these, and economically priced.
SOLD Sphalerite (rubyjack)
stock #SOLD6.2-487
Shuikoushan Lead Zinc Mine, Kangjianwan, Changning
Hunan,
China
6.4 x 4.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $0
A very clean and lusterous dark red Sphalerite crystal sits on a quartz/ dolomite matrix. This is esthetic and well composed. The crystal shows twinning and is 2 CM in size. A very nice specimen with fine contrast and good value.
Another classic Bisbee association, in an unusually fine specimen this is almost all native Copper in crude crystals. The Copper is a psuedomorph after Cuprite, with some unaltered zones and small Cuprite octahedrons that still have red color. Fibrous crystallized Malachite sprays add a rich green color. Magnification reveals some Calcite that is green colored due to the Copper. The definition of this piece is excellent, it is quite old it was sold by Schortmanns in the 60's and comes with that old label.
A fantastic, lusterous and large Cassiterite cluster on matrix from the important Xuebaoding location. Most Cassiterite from here is highly twinned showing few recognizable faces and is typically opaque. This piece has some translucency and exceptionally large sharp crystal faces of discrete prismatic crystals. As a bonus, there is a cluster of sizable albite crystals which adds a nice accent. The Cassiterite prisms show twin reentry planes and have the highest possible luster for a Cassiterite. Esthetic and displayable from several angles with minimal damage and contacting that is not distracting. Prices for fine Xuebaoding Cassiterites are very high even in Cina and climbing fast as they are no longer being produced. Many consider these the worlds best . This fine specimen is well below the typical price point for this quality level and a very good value.
