ON HOLD Pyromorphite (two generations)
stock #ON HOLD 8-AUS-1047
Kintore Mine, Broken Hill
New South Wales,
Australia
7.6 x 6.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1750
A very fine, old classic pyro from the great days at Broken Hill. This is by far the largest and best example I have seen from the Kintore mine. This is a floater with 2 generations of pyromorphite of two colors. The main vug is filled with cream color tapered, curved crystals that reach up to 2.2 cm though most are smaller in the 1-1.5 cm range. The "matrix" is another generation of pyromorphite, fully crystallized on all sides up to 1.2 CM in size. A few tiny clumps of anglesite are noted as micros. Crystallized on every side, this is a rich and impressive specimen. Overall the condition is outstanding but minor damage can be found with a careful exam mostly on the rear and underside. Given the age and delicacy of this piece it is quite incredible in quality. A rare piece that would fit in any suite of Pyromorphites or a fine Broken Hill collection.
Pyromorphite on Malachite
stock #11.1 -W51
Brown's open pit, Rum Jungle
Northern Territory,
Australia
10.4 x 7.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1500
A fine, large specimen from the epic 2010 find that was the mineral discovery of the year. A very rich example of the "emerald pocket) the matrix has numerous malachite spheres scattered on a bed of deep grass green velvety malachite. The surface is covered with hundreds of sharp olive green to lemon green Pyromorphites. Bright luster and in great condition, this has a striking color contrast. Well better than average for this find, and it now seems that there will be no more. Very attractive and destined to be a classic.
Pyromorphite on Malachite
stock #11.1-W52
Brown's open pit, Rum Jungle
Northern Territory,
Australia
11.4 x 9.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $3000
From the personal collection of Paul Melville one of the discoverers, this is a killer for this find. The best specimen I was able to obtain in trade with Paul from his display at Tucson. Brilliant color (typical for the best of Emerald pocket pieces) and a rolling landscape like form help this stand out. Pristine condition and far better in person. The densest coverage of pyromorphite is preferential on certain zones which helps make it look "topographic". Since this find the mine has been flooded and 9 months of intensive pumping have failed to re open it. The best of these are certain to be classics and appreciate well!
Pyromorphite on Malachite
stock #11.1-W53
Brown's open pit, Rum Jungle
Northern Territory,
Australia
8.7 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1500
A fine, large specimen from the epic 2010 find that was the mineral discovery of the year. This is a far better than average example of the "culliflower" forms in the "pizza pocket". Undamaged, lustrous and densely covered with sparkling Pyromorphites, this is an excellent and esthetic piece. This is from a small lot I purchased from the miners shortly after the find. Since then, no new specimens have been recovered and the few remaining "stashes" are now empty.
Pyromorphite on Malachite
stock #11.1-W54
Brown's open pit, Rum Jungle
Northern Territory,
Australia
5.3 x 4.3 CM (miniature)
price: $650
From the epic finds of 2010 this specimen and several that follow are excellent example of real modern classics. Fine sharp and lusterous pyromorphites are densely scattered on the deep green Malachite base. From the "Pizza Pocket" there are 2 tiny damaged crystals that are not easily noticed, all the others are perfect. Great color and balance, as nice a small specimen as can be found. This location has been flooded since the discovery and this small group of specimens were obtained just after the find. There are no more.
Not pretty, but a rare, huge and important old specimen. From the collection of J.C. Boyle who was the secretary of the Academy of Sciences and the Philadelphia Mineralogical Society along with such luminaries as Trudell and Vaux. Later sold by Schortmann's minerals and likely obtained from their purchases of Arthur Montgomery's stock. See the excellent article on the Pa. Brucites in Min Record. Collected in May 1926, the Lee's Mills location on the label is clearly the better known Texas, PA. locale. This huge mass of platy crystals are crude but does show many distinct faces also there is a little hydromagnesite present. I suspect a bit of careful prepping would better expose the crystals here but this is offered as a great example of a classic mineral specimen with important provenance.
SOLD Silver (Native wire)
stock #SOLD 11.1-W57
Huang Tong Xiang Mine, Lu Jiang Town
Anhui,
China
8 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1650
A very delicate, well formed and highly esthetic tree like growth of silver. A very impressive piece that is sizable and one of the best I have seen from this mine. The base is a sliver of matrix and individual wires reach a thickness of 4mm as they curl upwards. There are several chunks of matrix trapped in some wires as well (probably acanthite) and hanging like fruit. Very distinctive with a fine patina and form. This small mine produced a few good silvers such as this one, very different from the more common Hongda mine specimens.
Skutterudite (large crystals on matrix)
stock #11.1-W60
Bouismas Mine, Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht
Ouarzazate Province,
Morocco
6.8 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Big (up to 4.2 cm), sharp shining metallic silver crystals clustered on matrix. Esthetic with better than average presentation, this is excellent specimen of this cobalt arsenide. Without doubt the Bou Azzer area produced the very best of the specie, prior to these the best were German, rare, expensive and far less pretty. The display side of this is in excellent condition. It is contacted on the right side and has damage at the rear where it was removed, not seen in normal display. This locality still produces a few good pieces every few years but it will not last forever. These are future classics especially when they are this good.
