Elbaite (multi color gem crystal)
stock #8 DK-186
Cruzeiro Mine, Sao Jose de Safira
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.3 x 2.3 CM (16.9 Grams) (miniature)
price: $850
A rare old style Cruziero crystal with exceptional clarity and excellent color. Sharp and undamaged with glass like luster, this pre 1980 vintage example is unlike any current tourmalines. Undamaged and far better in person, the extreme clarity does not show very well on computer monitors! A fine addition for any gem crystal suite.
Spessartine on Quartz
stock #10.1-306
Tongbei, Yunxiao County, Zhangzhou Prefecture
Fujian,
China
9.3 x 7.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $1850
The great Spessartine from Tongbei has proven to be one of the most prolific finds for the past decade. However it is hard to find a REALLY great example. This is an outstanding, superb piece! A large main (9.3 CM tall) quartz and a smaller side crystal have the prism faces completely jacketed in brilliant sparkling garnet. The terminations are however uncovered and these are also overgrown with epitaxial quartz growths. Sharp with brilliant color, gemmy spessartine striking esthetics and undamaged. From a singular 2009 find, this is far beyond the quality of 99.9% and a top display specimen!
A super esthetic, fine Fluorite from the exciting new finds in Inner Mongolia. Rare quality and in perfect undamaged condition, the main Fluorite is 4.2 CM across and the matrix can be seen through the clear crystal. The quartz is also gemmy, in some cases sceptered with unknown green inclusions. As good as I have seen so far from this zone, and a great value.
Elbaite
stock #8DK-190
Cruzeiro Mine, Sao Jose de Safira
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.8 x 1 CM (miniature)
price: $180
A nice, sharp, undamaged tourmaline with moderate clarity and many good gemmy areas. Some faces of the crystal shaft is covered with tiny fibrous Elbaites. Better than average for this style, and a very good value for a nice, affordable tourmaline!
Azurite (Brilliant elecric color and luster)
stock #ALEC- 3-025
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio de Santa Cruz
Sonora,
Mexico
6x 4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $2000
It may be difficult to really see this piece in photos, but it is an exceptional, bright top luster Azurite from Milpillas. Very difficult to photograph such bright faces so this is FAR better in person. These Azurites are modern classics and those with the sought after "electric blue" are so intense they are real world class display pieces. Display well from each side, individual crystals reach 3 CM and present complex, sculptural forms. This specimen was obtained as part of a large lot in late 2011. These are from the last mining, they will be regarded as great values in the future!
Azurite (exceptional electric blue)
stock #ALEC -3 -117
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio de Santa Cruz
Sonora,
Mexico
6.9 x 5.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $4450
A top piece from the great finds at Milpillas, presenting large lustrous crystals in an esthetic cluster. Intense deep blue color and a great contrast to the white matrix. Hard to appreciate in a photograph, this jumps out from any display! The rare "electric blue" is caused outer layers of gem clear azurite transmitting and reflecting light. As is typical in even the best specimens from this locale, magnified examination will show some tiny chipping. In this case the main crystals and the display face are nearly perfect, the overall quality is outstanding.
Rhodochrosite (scalenohedral gem crystals)
stock #ALEC-5-057
Wessel's Mine, Hotazel, Northern Kalahari Mn Fields
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.3 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $1300
A brilliant, deep red, gem clear cluster of scalenhedral Rhodos from the one time find at Wessels mine. A modern classic location, these Rhodos are instantly recognizable and very desirable. This specimen displays well, overall in very good condition, there are some cleaves that must be noted as is common but minimally visible from display side. A great value for a very striking, bright and lusterous gem Rhodo!
Delicate, transparent leafy Calcites rise from the matrix that includes Copper secondaries (mostly Aurichalcite) which adds a green hue. Ex Jim Hansen Collection, this Classic Bisbee specimen is in perfect condition and has striking esthetics. A great Bisbee classic and a fine Calcite for any suite.
