From the high elevations of Mt Xuebaoding (better known for Scheelites and Cassiterites), this ice like fluorite shows the rare habit of octahedron with a cube face on the tip of each corner. The surface has the "melted" look the re-crystallization makes and has a pleasing esthetic. Ex Bert Ottens and Marty Zinn Collections, this type of Fluorite is no longer being found and is a great addition to any serious Fluorite suite.
Fluorite on Muscovite with Quartz
stock #11.1-W29
Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Yizhang County
Hunan,
China
8.5 X 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1600
There are thousands of fluorites from the great Yaoganxian Mine, but very few are of this calibre. Incredible quality for the size and perfection. A single 4 CM glass clear, undamaged zoned cube sits on a 3 dimensional matrix perfectly. Top quality esthetics far better in person! This stands out from the rest and while it is a bit more pricey than average specimens, this quality is almost impossible to find in China today. The only comparable specimen I saw recently at a show was well over twice this price!
Goethite pseudo after Marcasite on Quartz
stock #0473-JM-3355
Old Mine,Washington County Lead Mining District
Missouri,
United States
9 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
A very early specimen from the classic tri-state area ex. John H. Marshall collection. The matrix is all crystalized quartz well decorated with sharp Geothite that is red brown in color and shows perfectly the forms of the Marcasite crystals it has replaced. In good condition overall, there is a hard to spot repair where the specimen had cracked that probably dates to the time it was collected. 10x Magnification shows only a few chipped Geothite blades and a few quartz are bruised. By naked eye nothing is noticeable or distracting, and for such an old, delicate piece the condition is certainly fine. This would be an attractive addition to any good Tri-State suite.
An early Pala, California piece ex John Marshall and C. Goodspeed collections. This specimen is well over 80 years old. In pristine condition with a classic well etched termination and gem clear with very pale color. Very cute classic crystal that is also affordable.
Epidote with Quartz
stock #AC 409
Green Monster Mountain, Prince of Wales Island, Prince of Wales -outer K
Alaska,
United States
5.1 x 3.5 CM (miniature)
price: $450
An super lustrous Epidote from Prince of Wales island, Alaska. This came from the stock of Schortmann minerals vintage 1960-64 and was part of the materials supplied by Ed Over. A very attractive specimen, there is contacting at the rear, but the display side is in excellent condition. Termination is composed of several parallel faces all of which are glasslike. The dark green of this comes alive with good lighting. A fine small classic US piece!
The very best example I have seen from this location. From the earliest finds here, this has been in at least 3 older collections before being added to John Marshall's. Striking and impressive with sharp, lusterous transparent and translucent blades in delicate rosettes having a 2nd generation crystallized over them. Individual crystals reach 4.5 CM. Pale blue to cream in color, in pristine condition, and simply esthetic. A fine addition for any California or Barite suite.
Stellerite
stock #8-AUS-1061
Tamba Springs
New South Wales,
Australia
11.6x 7.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $600
This is about the best crystallized stellerite I have seen from anyplace. We don't select Zeolite minerals for our inventory unless they are really exceptional. This is, very esthetic with sharp, deep colored translucent crystals well placed on a contrasting matrix. Except on the outer perifery, there is no damage. Deep orange-salmon color (may appear a bit too reddish on some monitors) these are distinct prism and not the usual clusters and bowties. From a now classic series of finds in a remote zone of NSW Australia. Pretty enough for a non Zeolite lover!
Ex Yale University collection and JH Marshall. An exceptional old classic specimen! A big, showy, well crystallized and heavy specimen of these rare Silver Chloride/Iodide species. Broken hill has produced the very finest of these minerals and both species are well presented in crystals up to 4mm densely packed. A rich yellow to waxy green color, the specimen is sawn on the backside and shows the matrix as a pure translucent green Mass. The old Yale labels (included) call this Cerargyrite which was in use in the 1950's and earlier. Far better in person and price well below the tags we have seen on many lesser pieces.
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