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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Rhodochrosite (sawn stalactitic)
stock #8 DK-108
Capillitas Mine, Andagala
Catamarca,
Argentina
3.2 x 2.5 (miniature)
price: $150
A nice example of the concentric banding from the Capellitas mine is shown on the sawn face of this stalactite. This mine has occasionally encountered vugs of this material for years but nothing new like this has been seen for a long time now. Unpolished, undamaged and with strong color, this is prime grade gem rough, but especially interesting as a specimen.
Almandine (Garnet) on Schist
stock #10.1-337
Wrangell Garnet mine, Petersburg District,Wrangell Petersburg District
Alaska,
United States
9.8 x 7.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
From a classic US locality this is a very fine example of highly lustrous Almandines in a good sized plate of Schist. This was once a prolific locale but little to nothing is seen now. The largest crystal is 2.3 CM. With strong lighting the deep rich red color is seen but at first glance these are dark, almost black. Excellent form and contrast, there is some contacting and edge chipping (probably a result of in-situ events, and not "mishandling") This is still a very displayable specimen with much better quality than is typical.
Rose Quartz
stock #8 DK-018
Pitorra Claim, Laranjeiras, Galileia, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
7 x 6.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Really attractive and well composed, this is a fine "picket fence" style rose quartz collected over 20 years ago. Excellent color sharpness, luster and condition, this could be priced much higher in the current market. The milky quartz matrix and the depositional banding add a lovely contrast to this specimen. With a strong light and magnification I can find one chipped termination that is behind other crystals so is well hidden. Otherwise perfect.
