well crystallized and classic for the mine this is almost all Pyrite with some Galena matrix. Magnification shows the "ugly grey-black" coatings on the pyrites are micros of Friburgite in "cruller" form with what appears to be Dycrasite. A good reference piece for this prolific mine and not that ugly overall!
This type of Fluorite is distinctive for the Shangbao mine. The dodecahedron is flattened as would be expected in a Spinel Twin, the six square faces of the original cube form are glass clear like windows into the crystal and the other adjacent faces are frosted. There are some pretty purple phantoms and the crystal cluster is clear enough to see a mass of creamy dolomite inside the fluorite. The backside is heavily contacted but overall the condition and presentation is good. A pretty and inexpensive piece!
Conichalcite with Calcite
stock #8-MINO -611
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
6 x 4.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $350
This is about as pretty as Conichalcite gets ! The best Mapimi specimens are the worlds finest when they show the rich wet-luster deep green. This piece is of that quality and has great coverage as well which is very uncommon. Super-brilliant Emerald color and with some sharp calcite scalenohedrons for added contrast, this one is striking. Other than some outer edge damage this is undamaged and a worthy specimen.
Mimetite on Philipsbornite
stock #8 Pb-991
Hat Yai District
Songkhlei Province,
Thailand
4.3 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $350
A very fine example of the better quality mimetite that had come from this area of Southern Thailand. There has been no more of this for several years and the area is considered unworkable now due to political problems. This is a lusterous sparkling miniature of glassy yellow crystals. This location is one of a very few great localities for crystalized mimetite worldwide. Like most others (Tsumeb, Pingtouling etc) Hat Yai no longer produces anything. Good specimens are fast becoming classics, and this is one.
Calcite incuded by Realgar with Realgar
stock #10.1-464
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine
Hunan,
China
3.9 x 3.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $240
A killer toenail or small miniature of textbook perfect gemmy calcite on a contrasting Realgar matrix. The calcite is a rich orange-red color due to inclusions of Realgar. This is simply beautiful and absolutely undamaged. For any calcite suite or a Chinese collection this is really special. I obtained 3 such specimens in 2006 in China. I could not find any more then or since despite several follow up mine visits and looking at large numbers of calcites from Shimen. This was sold immediately, I am pleased to have this fine specimen back in trade!
A very attractive, classic Michigan copper in Calcite that is perhaps over 100 years old. These have become quite desireable and usually very expensive. The piece has Calcites to 2.8 CM that are filled with copper that is also protruding from some faces, and is clearly crystalized. The matrix is mostly copper dusted with epidote and some malachite crystals, Esthetic but not pristine, three calcites have cleaves or chips, this is not excessive but keeps this a more affordable specimen.
Grossular Garnet (chromian var. Tsavorite)
stock #8.1-438
Mine Lac dAmiante (Black Lake Mine), Megantic County
Quebec,
Canada
6 x 4.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $400
Electric emerald green crystals to 5mm densly cover the matrix of this fine Canadian specimen. Chrome Grossular or Tsavorite Garnets are rare in general and even rarer in sizable specimens. This one is brilliant with the best deep emerald color and glasslike luster. Most crystals are perfect and some show phantoms of a deeper green core in a lighter green exterior.
A brilliant thumbnail of electric green gem garnets on matrix. For intense color and luster this is really as good as any of these can get. The largest crystal is 7mm, about the biggest size that can still have such a deep green color. Displays great, we have not seen any of this quality for many years !
