Epidote and Quartz
stock #9.1-354
Green Monster Mountain, Prince of Wales Island, Prince of Wales -outer K
Alaska,
United States
8.8 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
An American classic, old style Epidote on quartz from Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. One of the harshest collecting areas in the USA, this site has been worked sporadically for almost 100 years. This is a beautiful example of why folks still try to go there. Displays well on either side, this has 2 main crystals to just over 4 CM that show good form and luster. Fine condition overall and a good value.
Rhodonite (fine bladed crystals)
stock #8 -PER-636
Chiurucu (Chiuruco) Hallanca, Bolognesi Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
7.5 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Bright pink-red bladed crystals reaching 1 CM cover the crest of this matrix. The find of this Rhodonite was big news a few years ago. This is a good representation of the better style of bladed crystals that came out then. There is some damage as there is on almost all of these, but it is limited and not on the most important crystals. Attractive specimen.
A sizable and very rich specimen of crystallized Silver that contrast well with the dark matrix. Old classic material Ex. Wein Collection (Stuttgart) and John Marshall Collection. Shows several forms of silver including several good herringbone clusters to 2.4 CM long.
Tourmaline (Gemmy Elbaite)
stock #8 -BRA-685
Barra de Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
7.5 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $2400
A big, glassy gem crystal of rich deep green color and attractive form. The termination is a complex series of separate peaks that looks much like a cityscape. Formerly in the Smale collection, the crystal looks rather dark until it is backlit and it really glows a rich deep green color. The front and sides present well, the rear has some chipping (that's why its the rear) which is not visible from the display side. A very fine older Barra de Salinas piece, probably worth more as gem rough!
One of the best reasons to collect Chinese minerals are wonderful association pieces that are attractive, interesting and affordable. Here some "pineapple" style yellow calcites grow on a light purple field of sparkling Fluorite that is also decorated with small saddle dolomite crystals and quartz. Pretty, undamaged and not going to break the bank. Fine minerals do not always have to be expensive!
Azurite (Fine rosette form)
stock #7-CNA-531
Shuli Mine, Yangchun County
Guangdong,
China
6 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
One of the best such roses I have seen in this size range, a very well crystallized, lustrous specimen. Best appreciated in person, it is far better than average. The individual sheaves or "petals" of the specimen are sharp and well defined. Displays well and with excellent color This is a fine Azurite from anyplace and these are destined to appreciate well.
A large doubly terminated crystal with several shades of color zoning. The "base" termination is a crude flat type while the top pyramidal end is an unusual inclined multi step form. This crrystal is well over 20 years old from earlier finds and is not a common color sequence for Barra de Salinas. The top has the strongest coloring. The crystal overall is attractive with good translucency and transparency. Contacting is present on the back and base of the main crystal and is out of sight as displayed, and there is some damage to the "sidecar" crystals that is not of major impact. Overall this is a very nice, unusual and attractive (tho imperfect) crystal that is relatively affordable.
A large block of matrix (both manganite and pyrolusite) hosts a 3.6 CM vug filled with sparkling Manganite crystals with a bright luster. These resemble Enargites in form, and are in excellent condition. Not common on the market, this is a nice example from the country, and different in style from most other manganite crystals.
.jpg)
.jpg)
