A purplish-red large Spinel twin over 5 cm across is the base for a smaller octahedron and some additional crystals. Shows typical etched surfaces and has some very glassy faces. An attractive display piece that is also quite instructive, it presents the twinning in a textbook form with a non twinned example as a contrast.
Pyrrhotite with Sphalerite
stock #12.1-033
Santa Eulalia, Aguiles Serdan
Chihuahua,
Mexico
3.8 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $160
A very esthetic small miniature with really neat form. The Pyrrhotite is a sharp well terminated crystal that has a deep brassy patina and surface striations at right angles. It is nicely decorated by small, sharp lustrous sphalerites. A small contact is on the back/ base and minor chipping can be found with 10X magnification. By eye there is no damage from any display side. A nice specimen from this classic Mexican locale.
Fluorite (gemmy cubic)
stock #6.2- 676
Hangshaping
Hunan,
China
11.9 X 6.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Incredibly sharp, clear, glassy and undamaged larger crystals reaching 4.7 CM are artfully clustered on a contrasting matrix. This find was made about 4 years ago at Hangshaping, very close to the more famous mines of Xinghuapu. There were many damaged specimens but the few clean ones were outstanding. This is a very fine example we obtained at the mine as the pocket was being cleaned out. The fluorites are clear enough to see the details in the matrix thru them. In the photos what may look like edge damage is only internal reflections, the cube faces are quite perfect when seen in person. Displays well from almost any angle, The only issue to note is some insignificant contacting on the back underside of the specimen, it is undamaged from any display angle.
A large block of matrix (both manganite and pyrolusite) hosts a 3.6 CM vug filled with sparkling Manganite crystals with a bright luster. These resemble Enargites in form, and are in excellent condition. Not common on the market, this is a nice example from the country, and different in style from most other manganite crystals.
A large doubly terminated crystal with several shades of color zoning. The "base" termination is a crude flat type while the top pyramidal end is an unusual inclined multi step form. This crrystal is well over 20 years old from earlier finds and is not a common color sequence for Barra de Salinas. The top has the strongest coloring. The crystal overall is attractive with good translucency and transparency. Contacting is present on the back and base of the main crystal and is out of sight as displayed, and there is some damage to the "sidecar" crystals that is not of major impact. Overall this is a very nice, unusual and attractive (tho imperfect) crystal that is relatively affordable.
A really different, esthetic and quite remarkable specimen from the fantastic mine of Shangbao. This piece is a cluster of long, slender doubly terminated quartz arranged like a picket fence. This is decorated by pearly dolomite crystals and hosts a single glassy gem-like fluorite crystal. The Fluorite is a complex cubo octahedron and has a good purple phantom inside. The color of the Fluorite also changes depending on the type of light it is displayed in. In great condition, this specimen is quite unlike any other, and a fine addition to a fluorite suite or
Rose Quartz doubly terminated
stock #8 DK-079
Pitorra Claim, Laranjeiras, Galileia, Doce Valley
Rio Grande do Sul, South Region,
Brazil
7.8 x 3.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $3300
A killer small cabinet of rose quartz in a well presented spray. This large (5.9 CM) "bowtie" sits perfectly on a quartz crystal shard, and is in excellent condition with no damage. Rose quartz crystals are quite rare, only known of any size from a handful of locations, and usually not very esthetic. This is a great exception perfect as a centerpiece of a quartz suite or in any collection of good, esthetic minerals.
Amethyst
stock #10.1-318
Irai, Alto Urugual region
Rio Grande do Sul, South Region,
Brazil
8.1 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
Simply a very esthetic and unusually well formed piece. The "flower" is 7 cm in diameter and the individual "petals" reach 3.8 CM. The color is a gradation from light to dark purple and the whole sits neatly on a quartz matrix. Excellent condition and showy. Irai has been a very prolific location so good specimens can still be found for a reasonable sum. This is well above average for quality and a very good value.
