Pyromorphite on Malachite
stock #11.1-W54
Brown's open pit, Rum Jungle
Northern Territory,
Australia
5.3 x 4.3 CM (miniature)
price: $650
From the epic finds of 2010 this specimen and several that follow are excellent example of real modern classics. Fine sharp and lusterous pyromorphites are densely scattered on the deep green Malachite base. From the "Pizza Pocket" there are 2 tiny damaged crystals that are not easily noticed, all the others are perfect. Great color and balance, as nice a small specimen as can be found. This location has been flooded since the discovery and this small group of specimens were obtained just after the find. There are no more.
Not pretty, but a rare, huge and important old specimen. From the collection of J.C. Boyle who was the secretary of the Academy of Sciences and the Philadelphia Mineralogical Society along with such luminaries as Trudell and Vaux. Later sold by Schortmann's minerals and likely obtained from their purchases of Arthur Montgomery's stock. See the excellent article on the Pa. Brucites in Min Record. Collected in May 1926, the Lee's Mills location on the label is clearly the better known Texas, PA. locale. This huge mass of platy crystals are crude but does show many distinct faces also there is a little hydromagnesite present. I suspect a bit of careful prepping would better expose the crystals here but this is offered as a great example of a classic mineral specimen with important provenance.
SOLD Silver (Native wire)
stock #SOLD 11.1-W57
Huang Tong Xiang Mine, Lu Jiang Town
Anhui,
China
8 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1650
A very delicate, well formed and highly esthetic tree like growth of silver. A very impressive piece that is sizable and one of the best I have seen from this mine. The base is a sliver of matrix and individual wires reach a thickness of 4mm as they curl upwards. There are several chunks of matrix trapped in some wires as well (probably acanthite) and hanging like fruit. Very distinctive with a fine patina and form. This small mine produced a few good silvers such as this one, very different from the more common Hongda mine specimens.
Skutterudite (large crystals on matrix)
stock #11.1-W60
Bouismas Mine, Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht
Ouarzazate Province,
Morocco
6.8 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Big (up to 4.2 cm), sharp shining metallic silver crystals clustered on matrix. Esthetic with better than average presentation, this is excellent specimen of this cobalt arsenide. Without doubt the Bou Azzer area produced the very best of the specie, prior to these the best were German, rare, expensive and far less pretty. The display side of this is in excellent condition. It is contacted on the right side and has damage at the rear where it was removed, not seen in normal display. This locality still produces a few good pieces every few years but it will not last forever. These are future classics especially when they are this good.
From the classic Australian finds at Moorala, this is an exceptionally fine specimen, the best I have seen. Sharp, up to 3.5 CM gem clear smokys are well perched in a line on the matrix. A few non smoky second generation quartz are present too. In great condition, there is no eye visible damage, micro chipping can be found with 10x magnification. Displays very well with glass like lustre and quite a sizable specimen for the location.
Very unusual for China, this is the only specimen I have seen of Scalenohedral Rhodos. The Wuton area has produced many fine rhombs and Flattened plate crystals but this specimen is unique. Good esthetics too, the Rhodo crystals reach 2.4 CM have rich color and are mostly complete on the facing side. There is damage to one side and rear and the matrix quartz and fluorites have some damage showing, but the display face is still very attractive. Both purple and green fluorites add some color contrast as well.
SOLD Cordierite
stock #SOLD 9.1-103
Richmond, Cheshire County
New Hampshire,
United States
7.4 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $375
A sizable, (5.7cm) crystal on matrix, this is one of two specimens we have listed in this update. From the 1970 finds at this classic Northeastern location this was collected by the late Ernie Schlicter. New Hampshire Cordierites are not often complete and few are seen for sale. Doubly terminated and with most faces well developed there are areas of crudeness and chipping as seen but relatively little for the size of this piece.
A very old specimen ex. W.W. Jefferis collection (Early to Mid 1800's vintage and sold in 1904 to Andrew Carnegie). Last in the John H Marshall collection. Well formed fibers extending from the massive vuggy matrix in Classic forms.
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