Grossular (Raspberry Garnet)
stock #10.1-276
Lago de Jaco,Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
7x6.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
A very fine example of the recent finds at this classic location! An esthetic 'Mountain" of matrix hosts several deep red grossular crystals up to 2.2 CM. The "summit" is a well exposed sharp 1.7 CM crystal that presents well from all sides. The major crystals are in excellent condition, the backside has some missing/ broken crystals from the area where the matrix was removed, these are not seen from any display angle. Much better than average!
Grossular (Raspberry Garnet)
stock #10.1-274
Lago de Jaco,Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
6.6 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $340
From 2009 mining at this classic Mexican location, this is a far better than average example of this rare garnet variant. The main crystal here is 2.3 CM across, very lustrous, dark raspberry-red and in pristine condition. This is quite sizable for the locality and has been carefully exposed so it sits well on the matrix. Some minor crystals have typical damage that shows the dark core of the garnets. Since 1920 these garnets have sporadically been available but good ones have always been rare.
A pure mass of gemmy lustrous yellow garnets crystals densely packed together with no matrix. This is a recent find (2010)from the area that has in the past produced both grossular and vesuvianite, but not in this form! This is the best example I have seen so far. Showy glass-like sparkling crystals up to 1.3 cm (average about 4-7 mm) are jammed together as an intergrown mass. Most crystals are complete without damage but several have signs of contacting and a few small points show chipping with magnification. By naked eye this displays very well.
A cluster of intergrown, rich deep green gem crystals perched on a crystalline matrix. From the major find made in 2006, these were quickly absorbed into the market and disappeared. A very esthetic example of this uncommon variant, the largest crystal is 1.5 cm and is perched on other crystals. Far better in person! These show complex, lustrous faces and are undamaged.
A rare variation of the classic British Campylite from Dry Gill, this small, esthetic piece features a curved chain of mimetite crystals. Lustrous and in excellent condition damagewise, the chain has a central hollow canal running its length. The matrix also hosts small botroidal crystals of yellow, green and orange mimetite. A fine small miniature!
A strongly esthetic miniature of this rare mineral. The two balls (2 CM each) of radiating crystals are perched on a contrasting dark matrix. These were misidentified as the equally rare mineral Poldervaartite when first found in 2008. The spheres are translucent and glow a rich red when backlit, but appear darker orange brown in "normal" light. Deeper color than most, these are much better than average! The side of one ball shows an area of contacting but all are otherwise in perfect condition. Outstanding luster and far better than average for the specie!
Pyrite, Magnetite and Xenotime (Y)
stock #1092-JM-1578
Hudson, Middlesex County
Massachusetts,
United States
10.9 x 8 CM (cabinet)
price: $425
A Massachusetts rarity, from the John Marshall collection from a one time find over 40 years ago, during the construction of I 495. Two large, complex pyrites to 4.4 CM are perched on a jumble of micro crystals mostly Magnetites with numerous Xenotime. The right side crystal is in perfect condition, the left shows an old stress crack that is partly rehealed. An exceptional example of this find, I have not seen any better ever. Displays well.
Calcite (with epitaxial pyrite
stock #10.1-071
Xikuangshan, Lengshijiang, Loudi Prefecture
Hunan,
China
13 x 12.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $600
A strong display specimen, eyecatching and with fascinating mineralogy. Well defined sharp crystals of translucent calcite are arranged in a distinctive pile, and are selectively coated (and included by) pyrite and chalcopyrite micro crystals arranged on prism edges in the form of Mercedes symbols. In excellent condition damage wise the display sides are pristine, cleaved on base where collected, not visible from any display angle. Collected 2007, these were rare and expensive then, unavailable now. Priced to sell!
