A big and very bright Rhodo from the Classic location of Butte. A strong, deeper red-pink color than is typical. This also shows well the rare curved crystal faces that can sometimes be found on good Butte Rhodos. The largest crystals reach one centimeter, there is minor contacting that can be seen in the photos but the main crystals and central display area is eye clean. The specimen is dusted with micro Chalcopyrites as was typical of some materials from the Emma Mine. A very good eyecatcher.
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!
SOLD Celestite on Calcite (tree)
stock #SOLD AC-161
Santa Eulalia, Aguiles Serdan
Chihuahua,
Mexico
10.1 x 10 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
A super esthetic, old (early 1960's at least) undamaged tree of calcite crystals host lots of bright blue celestite. I have not seen anything quite like this before from Santa Eulalia but similar celestites have been found at the Mojina Mine nearby also in Chihuahua, but never this attractive! This is simply a very elegant specimen with exceptional form and delicate growths of at least 2 generations of calcite crystals in several habits. From old Schortmann minerals stock, an excellent Mexican specimen!
Galena, Spinel Twin, on Spalerite
stock #10.1-509
Dal'ngorsk
Primorsky Kray, Far Eastern Region,
Russia
4.4 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $200
Perfectly positioned sharp textbook spinel twin crystal of galena rises above a cluster of sharp sphalerite crystals. Simply an esthetic fine small miniature with no damage or distractions. Good luster, this is older Dalngorsk material (2000) that presents well and is still very affordable for this quality from a modern classic location.
Really fine crystals of both Magnesite and Dolomite are surprisingly rare. Brumado is unique since both species crystallize well there. This specimen is quite perfect, undamaged and puts both species together esthetically. The dolomite is twinned, zoned like a layer cake and translucent. The magnesite is super sharp and gemmy. A lot of impact for the size, this displays very well.
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