Fluorite - gem-clear tabular habit
stock #18.1-140
Cantera Llamas, Duyos, Caravia
Asturias,
Spain
3.7 x 2.7 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $290
Spring update
A super toenail sized Fluorite with a very fine flattened cube form and top clarity. From the small but important Llamas Quarry in Northern Spain, this is in pristine condition. The matrix is a mass of small crystals of Fluorite all showing the elongations and beveled edges that are classic for this area. Choice.
Quartz on Chrysocolla Pseudomorphs
stock #18.1-130
Inca De Oro, Chanaral
Atacama Region,
Chile
9.1 x 6.8 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Spring update
Brilliant sparkling blue Chrysocolla overgrown by gem clear druzy Quartz. The Chrysocolla has replaced earlier acicular crystals of Malachite. The individual needles reach 1.5 CM A single broken needle off to the side seems to show a core of Dioptase but we are told these are in fact Malachite, the core area is rather gemmy and very bright. No matter what the original material this is very esthetic and totally different from any other Chrysocolla. An attractive, intriguing and unique Copper specimen!
Complete and with great color, the larger Apatite is 8.5 CM tall, with wonderful etching. This is the best specimen I have seen of this sort, for size, color and esthetics, it is really striking. These Apatites have transparent areas and deep blue green hue. The "melted" look is typical from this region and often seem in Apatites in Metamorphic host rocks (Marble Skarns especially). As a display piece the luster, contrast with the matrix and unusual architecture gives this specimen a very fine appearance. Both of the prominent crystals are doubly terminated as well. Our notes mention a repair reattaching the large crystal, there is no damage at all and the repair seems well done.
Manganocalcite- pagoda style
stock #AX-15-104
Manoshan Mine, Dongpo, Suxian District, Chenzoh area
Hunan Province,
China
10 x 9.1 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Spring update
Pagoda style calcite towers formed of stacked flat disklike rhombs. The color is a pale pink and the Calcite has a vivid red Fluorescence. Very sharp and undamaged on the display face, broken on the back underside where it was removed. An older specimen ex Shields Flynn collection, from a 2004 find. In this fine condition, these are very uncommon, and very esthetic in any sort of display.
Grossular - two colors
stock #18.1-128
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
3.3 x 2.3 x .6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $175
Spring update
A thin plate of matrix hosts two generations of sharp, gem Grossular. The larger crystals are the well known orange hue but the smaller crystals are colorless to light pink. A nice and uncommon contrast. This is in fine condition, no damage seen at 10X magnification. Excellent glassy luster, sharp striations and quite three dimensional.
Quartz- Tabular Faden habit
stock #AX-25-030
Waziristan Ophiolite, North Waziristan
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
5.3 x 2.4 x .4 CM (cabinet)
price: $150
Spring update
A perfect "floater" that is crystallized all around and is remarkable, in perfect undamaged condition. From the finds in 2014 in Waziristan that produced some of the best Fadens ever found. This is a textbook example, fully transparent with bright luster and sharp edges. The Faden or string inside is distinct, bright and clear see from any angle. We have seen and handled many from these finds, undamaged floaters with such sharp details were very few.
Quartz on Rhodochrosite on Calcite
stock #AX-10-482
Los Remidios Mine, Level 4, Taxco
Guerrero,
Mexico
10.8 x 7.1 x 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $375
Spring update
A bright, sparkling old Mexican Rhodo with Scalenohedra that are covered by clear tiny quartz crystals that add a bright luster. The rich pink color of the Rhodocrosite is clearly seen through the druzy Quartz. Some typical sulfides make up the rest of the matrix, the dark colors adding contrast. In very good condition, a few old breaks are noted and seem at least partly rehealed, however as seen this is still a very fine display piece.
Fluorite on Quartz (older Chinese)
stock #6.2-731
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.9 x 5.7 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Spring update
Beautiful light green transparent Fluorite crystals in modified Cube-Octahedral forms perched on a matrix of Massive Fluorite and Quartz crystals. Exceptional in person, a very choice and quite unusual habit, no longer seen for sale. The Quartz has an Iron tinge and so adds a nice color contrast. Displays well from several angles. The Xianghauling mines produced just a few of this habit in 2004-5. We obtained several at the mine and sold them all long ago, including this one that has come back in a collection purchase. The mine is non producing for many years now.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
