Zinnwaldite -
stock #8-AUS-1064
Dandaragan, near Mt Magnet
Western Australia,
Australia
8 x 6 CM (cabinet)
price: $125
It is not often we put up a mica specie in a fine minerals website, but his is really a very good specimen. Consists of a lustrous, undamaged sphere of concentric curved Zinnwaldite over 6 cm in diameter. A super pretty example of this uncommon mineral.
A much better than average tri-state classic, ex John Marshall collection. Crystals to 3.6 CM on a thin matrix plate range in color from translucent ruby red to black. Pitcher Field produced huge numbers of Sphalerites 40+ years ago, it is now rare to see good ones. In fine condition, well composed and far more attractive than is typical.
SOLD Sphalerite (Gemmy Red)
stock #SOLD 12.1-001
Rucheng Mine, Caojia, Nuanshui, Chenzhou
Hunan,
China
6.7 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $430
An exceptionally attractive specimen from 2002 vintage find at Rucheng. Ex. Bill Pinch and Chris Amo collection. This mine has not produced any good specimens since that find. Brilliant red color,sharp crystals and great contrast. No other Chinese locality has produced this style of Sphalerite, it is already a modern classic find.
Proustite (ruby- silver crystals )
stock #12.1-002
Imiter Mine, Imiter District, DjebelSaghro, Ouarzazate Province
Souss- Massa- Draa Region,
Morocco
6.7 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1350
Proustite is a "noble" silver mineral. It is rare, sometimes beautiful, expensive and highly desirable. From the classic locations in Germany and Chile good pieces often sell for more than double their weight in gold. Recent finds in Morocco produced a lot of low end, affordable specimens but only a few fine pieces. This specimen stands out as fine, with unusually large crystals, excellent ruby color and dense coverage. The largest crystal here is about a centimeter in size, but most are smaller. The matrix is a silver rich Galena/ Acanthite. A real attractive, fine piece well below market for a good example of this "holy grail" specie!
