twinned Calcite on Sphalerite
stock #8.1-270
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
12 x 10 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Perfect jewel-like amber cognac color Calcites (largest is 7.7 CM) set on a dark red to black matrix of crystallized Sphalerite. No damage and only one tiny contact on one of the smaller Calcites, this is a pristine piece that has top notch luster. The main crystal is the sort of twin sometimes described as a "frog" where one half of the twinned pair develops selectively and makes a frog-like crystal. An Elmwood classic that is far better than you could usually expect in this price range.
Is this a Colorado Gwindel? A radiating ball of Goethite crystals sits on a single flattened Quartz crystal composed of several parallel growths that have a pronounced twist. The form is "Gwindel-like" but as the back side is less twisted I am not certain if this can be classified as one. I have asked some Quartz experts and they are divided mostly because the crystal tappers to a wedge like form and is thus not fully typical. Whatever it can be classified as, it is unusual and a Colorado classic locality piece. This was broken and repaired many years ago (it was in a collection by the 1930's) and it is visible on both sides (more so in the back). There is some chipping and damage to the Goethites, but it overall is in good condition.
Smithsonite
stock #8.1-262
Kelly Mine, Magdelena district
New Mexico,
United States
8.5 X 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
A very attractive and unusual crystalized smithsonite from this great American Classic locality. There is a rich crust showing discrete, rounded individual crystals with top quality color and luster on the gossan matrix. Good "wet" look to the crystals and a fine value for this very collectable locality. This is not the usual massive material and different from the "rice grain" type crystals.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #6.2-790
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
10x 6.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
The last thing the world needs is more green Fluorite from China, unless it is REALLY different! This is a different and interesting example of modified cubes that more like the material from Naica and older Dalnegorsk than China, they have the sharp and clear window face and are sizable at 3.4 CM. Nice mint green color and luster with color contrast on the matrix. Over all quite esthetic, tho there is noticeable damage on the periphery it still displays well. A good addition for a Fluorite suite, or a China collection as this is not typical!
A wonderful esthetic for a dark mineral like Bournonite is to be displayed on on colorful matix, and this piece does that well. Several sharp, prismatic and lustrous silvery crystals of Bournonite are well placed on a sparkling purple fluorite and quartz mixture. A few matted hairs of Boulangerite are in evidence as well. There is one Bournonite that is broken off (not very distracting tho) all the rest are quite clean by eye and only show some edge chips at 10X magnification. A very good matrix Yaoganxian piece and a good value.
Epidote on Byssolite
stock #AC-204
Knappenwand, Untersulzbachal Valley
Hohe Tauern Mts. Salzburg,
Austria
7.2 x 4.8 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $85
From the historic and most highly regarded locality for Epidote this is a good example of the Byssolite association and an inexpensive way to own a true classic! The Epidotes reach 1.5 cm set on a sparkling mound of Byssolite fibers. There is damage on the Epidotes, they are not the gemmy crystals this locale is known for, but the Byssolite is very attractive. This piece is from a 1930's vintage collection and is very reasonably priced.
Dioptase
stock #8.1-295
Tantara Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8.9 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
An incredibly attractive mineral! Brilliant and lustrous crystals to 1.5CM with top color are packed in a vug that is rimmed with Dioptase and some blue Shattuckite. No damage to the display area and main crystals but there are a few tiny contacts at the outer edge of the piece that are not easilly seen. Really a killer for form and with bright, wet looking luster, this is a great value for the price. I have not seen anything of this quality in any recent lots from the DRC.
purple Scapolite gem crystal
stock # 7.AE-011
Kohistan District
North West Frontier Province,
Pakistan
3.3 X .7 x .6 CM (miniature)
price: $200
A very attractive light lilac/violet gem-crystal of Scapolite from this important locality. This is actually 2 crystals grown together with the terminations staggered and showing great glass-like luster. No damage by naked eye but with 10X magnification there are some very tiny contacts and a very insignificant chip that need to be mentioned. A very nice example of a mineral that is usually quite nondescript!
