A Tsumeb oddity, a lusterous, wet-look stalactite of apple green Cuprian Smithsonite. Except where removed from the matrix there is no damage. Pre 1960's this could be far older vintage. Displays well, I have never seen another of this sort it is really unusual and attractive!
It is surprisingly hard to find much very well crystallized Chalcopyrite. It is a common ore mineral and poor crystals are everywhere, but GOOD ones are quite uncommon. This is a well defined, esthetic and attractive piece from one of the greatest of modern locations, Madan. Crystals reach 2.5 CM and have a very 3 dimensional arrangement with good contrast to the matrix. Chalcopyrite is a brittle mineral and this piece has a small stress crack on the left side, Most crystals are in very good condition although a large one near the bottom is broken, it could perhaps be trimmed off. Despite that this displays very well and is outstanding value! Madan is now shut down, if ore values do not rise soon it will be allowed to flood. If so this location will certainly become much more sought after!
Quartz on Sphalerite and Galena
stock #8.1-394
Krushev Dol Mine, Madan, Rhodope Mts.
,
Bulgaria
10.9 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Impressive and lusterous, this is super esthetic! A cluster of very sharp undamaged Sphalerites reaching 2.7 CM are stacked in a very nice arrangement. The real interest are the sprays of delicate needle quartz. that decorate the piece and add lots of contrast. As a bonus there are some good Galenas as well. This can be displayed from several angles. Despite some damage to a few quartz needles, this is still a a top shelf piece from a very important location that is now closed.
SOLD Fluorite on Galena
stock #SOLD 8.1 274
Naica Mine. Naica, Municipio de Saucillo
Chihuahua,
Mexico
9.8 x 9 CM (cabinet)
price: $550
An exceptional Naica combo, from finds in 2007. From time to time over the past 90 years, Naica has produced fantastic materials, however, finds always tend to dry up quickly. This has a fine, modified cubic mint green to white Fluorite cluster of 6.5 CM perched on stacked Galena crystals.. The Galena is lusterous and most are twinned exhibiting several different habits including some unusual spinel twins. All the main crystals are perfect, the only damage is on areas that are out of sight or trivial. Displays well from several angles.
Adamite (Spherical crystal cluster)
stock #7 MEX 413
Ojuela Mine, Level 6, Municipio de Mapimi
Chihuahua,
China
7 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
A Mexican classic! The Adamites of the Ojuela Mine are probably the worlds best. Many styles and colors are known, but almost nothing of quality has been found for many years. This type of ball aggregate is very desirable, getting hard to find and usually very expensive. On this one the large ball is 2.3 CM and well placed, it is fully crystallized with good green color. A flat spot on the top seems to be a contact but there is no damage anyplace. Quite esthetic and very well priced.
Fluorapophyllite with Hubeite
stock #6.2-908
Fengjiashan Wollastonite Mine, Daye
Hubei,
China
6.2 x 5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $175
From the type locality for Hubeite, this is an esthetic and unusually pristine apophyllite. Clear crystals to over 2 CM cover the matrix and these are sprinkled with rosettes and clusters of reddish brown Hubeite and some micro calcites. Most of these have lots of serious damage, this one is far better than usual but not perfect. The most important crystals are very clean with only minor edge rubbing seen at 10X magnification, there is some visible damage at the outside edges. This displays well and makes a good addition to a suite of Chinese minerals, rarities or new minerals. There has not been new Hubeite on the mineral market recently.
SOLD Mimetite
stock #SOLD 7AE-473
Pingtouling Mine, Liannan, Sanjiang
Guangdong,
China
2.6 x 1.6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $0
A super glassy thumbnail with brilliant orange yellow color and top luster. There is no matrix, only an interconnected cluster of pure mimetite. The Pingtouling mine has now been closed for several years and the Mimetites it has produced are now regarded as perhaps the best ever. Top pieces and larger specimens are now incredibly expensive, this one is an affordable and nice small example!
SOLD Liddicoatite (Tourmaline)
stock #SOLD 8 DK-131
West of Ogbomosho, Ibadan area
Oyo State,
Nigeria
4.5 x 1.6 CM (72 CT) (miniature)
price: $0
A fantastic, zoned gem crystal of the rare Tourmaline variety Liddicoatite. This is 100% gem and I can count at least 9 color zones inside! Very sharp for this old location (which usually had extensive wear and chipping) this one has only minor edgerubs and no chipping at all. This was collected over 20 years ago, from a small zone that was quickly exhaused. Unlike materials from later Mozambique finds, this is a distincly different style of Liddicoatite and very rare on the market, since most was faceted. This example has better transparency than most, and the red colors are excellent.
