Fluorapatite and Scheelitte on Muscovite
stock #8.1-414 GWT
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
6.3 x 5.2 CM (miniature)
price: $575
A light purple Fluorapatite 1.6 CM sits next to sharp gemmy orange Scheelites on a Muscovite matrix. Most Apatite from Xuebaoding is more pink and this shade is very rare. Fantastic color contrasts, glass-like luster and good esthetics make this a very fine piece. Very clean of damage by eye, there are some very minor contacts and chipping found at 10x magnification. A top notch example!
Calcite included by Stibnite
stock #8.1-411 GWT
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
7.1 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A single gemmy flattened rhomb sits on matrix and shows well the Stibnites included and protruding from the crystal. Very sharp, nice color with no noticeable damage but some very minor roughness to edges and contacts on back. Esthetic and eye-catching!
A large (3.7 CM) rhomb of bright red Rhodo sits neatly on a contrasting matrix made up of Acanthite crystals, Native Silver in wires, Sphalerite, Pyrite and Fluorite. If that list is not long enough to clog a label, there are other dark sulfides one of which may be Stephanite but have not been confirmed. A super example of the Rhodo from this find and the association with Silver minerals is very special. Really attractive overall and one of the best I have seen for the relation to Silver.
Vanadinite on Goethite (stalactitic)
stock # 8.AE-722
Mibladen Mining District, Midelt Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
2.6 x 1.5 CM (thumbnail)
price: $120
A fine, esthetic small piece with excellent color and contrast. There are a lot of Vanadinites around, but few have good form and perfection. Looks nice on all sides.
Quartz (red - acicular)
stock #8.1-409
2nd Sovetskii Mine, Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai
Far Eastern Region,
Russia
10.8 x 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
This is technically called red quartz although this example is much more a peach- orange color. From the famous finds several years ago at Dalngorsk, these are now very rare especially when this large, esthetic, and clean. Very sculptural, displays well from several angles. Some of the crystal sprays (that reach 6 CM) are doubly terminated, others have a contact on one end but typically on the underside so they are not noticeable from the viewing angles. The color is very attractive, but not strong red or deep orange so the price is not 3-5K.
An excellent value for one of these!
Bournonite on Quartz and Fluorite
stock #6.2-997
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.5 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A very large, lustrous cogwheel type Bournonite (over 5 CM across) that is complete sitting on Fluorite and Quartz crystals one of which penetrates the Bournonite. An exceptional example from Yaogangxian, recognized as the world's best location for this specie. Some of the Fluorite and Quartz have damage especially at the edges of the piece, but overall the condition is superb. This sits upright and perfectly without assistance, and the esthetics are top shelf. Given the fragility of large Bournonite, the quality and completeness of this crystal is even more remarkable. Add the Fluorite for a color accent (and an uncommon association) the whole is highly desirable.
Smoky Quartz (alpine gemmy)
stock #8.DK-134
Tujetsch, Vorderhien Valley
Grischun (Grisons),
Switzerland
4.4X1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $140
Gem clear, sharp and clean is what everyone looks for in a Swiss quartz. This is a fine small example with the lovely red brown color that makes these so distinctive. While this could be sold as a perfect example, 10x magnification and strong lighting can find some very tiny chips, so this is just "near perfect". Still an excellent small alpine crystal reasonably priced.
A very good example from this now classic find in Rhode Island. Light purple cap to the piece has very minor chipping but is far better than most which have easily noticed damage. The milky shaft provides great contrast and the overall impression is excellent. These scepters are quite rare on the market and this is a good one.
