Sharp, delicate and clear tabular Goshenites with textbook form are well placed on a classic matrix from Mt. Xuebaoding. Remarkable esthetics and no damage, these are not common by any means and this is very good example. This locality is not producing since the big Sichuan earthquake. The largest of the Goshenites is 2.3 CM wide.
SOLD Rhodochrosite on Sphalerite
stock #8.1-405
Santa Eulalia, Aguiles Serdan
Chihuahua,
Mexico
2.5 x 2.4 CM (thumbnail)
price: $0
A rare and fine strawberry crystal with a small amount of Sphalerite as a matrix. Sizable and sharp for this location with exceptional color. The display side is eye clean, very minor scuffs are only visible at over 10 magnifivcation. The "backside" is contacted and incomplete. A very striking thumbnail, with backlight it really glows!
SOLD Pyrrhotite
stock #SOLD
Nikolai Mine, Dal'Negorsk
Primorsky Kray, Far Eastern Region,
Russia
8.4 x 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Super esthetic and undamaged rosette of yellow metalic pyrrhotite 4.8 CM in size. This is perched on a well crystallized contrasting matrix. Dalnegorsk has produced what are probably the best Pyrrhotites ever, this one is quite impressive and far better composed than most. I have seen very few pieces that rival the esthetic impact of this one !
Bournonite on Quartz and Fluorite
stock #6.2-997
Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Yizhang County
Hunan,
China
8.5 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $2400
A very large, lusterous cogwheel type Bournonite (over 5 CM across) that is complete sitting on Fluorite and Quartz crystals one of which penetrates the Bournonite. A exceptional example from Yaogangxian, recognized as the world's best location for this specie. Some of the fluorite and quartz have damage especially at the edges of the piece, but overall the condition is superb. This sits upright and perfectly without assistance, and the esthetics are top shelf. Given the fragility of large bournonite, the quality and completeness of this crystal is even more remarkable. Add the Fluorite for a color accent (and an uncommon association) the whole is highly desirable.
A really sweet gem crystal! Glassy, gemmy, sharp, complete, transparent thoroughout and with great color the photos say it well. The bottom section of the crystal has some adhering matrix and contacts, otherwise it is fully undamaged. Some internal veils may look like damage in photos but they are only visible due the clarity of the crystal, the sides are pristine. A very attractive, clean specimen!
Rhodochrosite Stalactite
stock #8 DK-090
Capillitas Mine, Andagala
Catamarca,
Argentina
7.4 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
A fine example of a crystalline Stalactite of Rhodochrosite with great form. The main stal is 7+ cm long, with a slight bend to it, complete, terminated and with no damage. A second broken section of stal is attached. The section reveals the concentric pink color these are famous for. The main stal is about 2 CM thick and is composed of stacked lath crystals. The color is excellent from deep red-pink to orangey pink. One edge of the stal has a contrasting grey overcoating that appars to be calcite. All in all a very esthetic specimen, hard to find in this size and quality.
SOLD Quartz -Alpine smoky
stock #8DK-017
Gilgit, Gilgit district
Northern Areas,
Pakistan
21 x 4 CM (cabinet /museum)
price: $0
Huge and gemmy! This is simply a spectacular large and fine quartz. Overall very clean and lusterous, very slight frosting on a few faces otherwise it has killer glassy sides. The termination is a staged termination and tapers in 2 stages. This is quite close to perfect, however there is a micro chip on the "back side "of the tip, and with magnification a few other chips can be found. However on this large crystal these really are of no real significance. This is a top class and very impressive Alpine style smoky that could pass as a Swiss or French crystal (and be priced FAR higher too!) A real classy rock at a very reasonable price for such a piece!
Brilliant red, large and sharp for this locale, A very fine gem crystal with excellent form and floater with no signs of contact or damage. The largest octahedron is a full 4.4 CM and the whole is translucent so it will glow with any backlighting. Many of the spinel from here have a melted look, this does too but much less than most and it maintains all of the structure and form that make this a very collectable and fine display crystal!
