Malachite - Crystals and Botryoidal forms
stock #10.1-500
Katanga, Central Area, Katanga Copper zone
Shaba,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8.3 x 6.2 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Early summer 2021
A classic from Katanga, this is a two sided specimen. One side is composed of sharp radiating fibrous crystals topped by a pair of Malachite balls. The other side is all botryoidal with some distinct chatoyance caused by the balls being composed of fibrous crystals. Excellent condition, color, form and luster. The Shaba Crescent was the source of much outstanding Malachite and these are still very reasonably priced, one of the mineral world's best bargains. In person the color is a bit deeper, darker and the shimmering luster is almost impossible to appreciate in a photo.
Barite (Baryte) on Quartz
stock #6.2-178
Jinkouhe District, Leshan Prefecture
Sichuan Province,
China
8.1 x 5.8 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Early summer 2021
Blue blocky habit Barite crystals on snow white Quartz from older finds at Jinkouhe in Sichuan Province, China. The main crystal is fully transparent, sharp, and has faint phantoms. This is a hefty 2 CM thick and the wide faces are glassy with bright luster while the edge faces are slightly frosted. Nice contrast with the matrix and prettier in person. In very good condition there are only small minor contacts on the main crystal, the quartz is in fine condition and the smaller Barite crystal has a contact area not seen on display as well as a recrystallized edge. This is about as perfect as we can hope for and the piece displays well from most any side. These were common about 15 years ago but are now very uncommon, it seems this is no longer a producing area.
Celestite (Barian Celestine)
stock #AC-313
Girgenti
Sicily,
Italy
9.7 x 7.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
Early summer 2021
A beautiful glassy spray of powder blue crystals radiating upward from a massive base. This is a very old specimen from the classic Sulfur locality that has been mined for many centuries. This type of Celestite with the blue color has sometimes been labeled as Barite but often on analysis is found to be Celestite with some Barium. The piece is attractive despite chips and damage to a few crystals. Very uncommon to find material this attractive on the market, the blue color is especially desirable.
Calcite on Hemimorphite
stock #AX-12-178
Santa Eulalia, Aquiles Serdan
Chihuahua,
Mexico
11.6 x 2.3 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1100
Early summer 2021
A most unusual form and combination. This transparent to translucent Calcite crystal is gemmy and twinned. It is perched on a finger-like shaft, covered with hundred of tiny Hemimorphite blades and also small Calcite crystals. The association and form of this structure is very odd; this was found in the 1970's. The Calcite is complete except for a cleave on the back left side that is not seen on display. Due to that cleave this is not a specimen for the ultra perfectionists, but is incredible for the locality and a very choice display piece presenting an exotic form.
Mimetite with Wulfenite and Calcite
stock #15.1-536
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
10.3 x 5.8 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Early summer 2021
Green botryoidal Mimetite is decorated with a few blocky orange-yellow Wulfenites in an open seam. A choice example of this habit and association from Mina Ojuela (Mexico) from the earlier finds in the late 1970's. The matrix is a spongy microcrystaline Mimetite / Wulfenite as well, but outside of the open cavity the color is a less attractive brown and more dull luster. The seam also holds a few Calcite crystals in flattened rhomb form as well. Green Mimetite in this form is somewhat less common than the yellow worldwide.
Calcite - classic Spanish locale
stock #17.1-800
La Union Mine, Sierra de Cartagena
Murcia,
Spain
7.1 x 6.3 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Early summer 2021
A fine Calcite from anyplace and for this locale superb in esthetics, quality and condition. La Union is a very old Silver mining zone. It was the source of much of the Silver in Roman times. As a mineral locale this is well-known for excellent Barites, Cronstedtites and several good Lead and Zinc minerals. Calcites are not often seen as very attractive pieces, this one is however exceptional. No eye visible damage, all the crystals even at the edges are complete and perfectly intact. Many are doubly terminated as well. There are some crystals with a subtle coloring of golden brown presumably from the Hematite included in those.
Sphalerite (Cleiophane) and Galena on Quartz
stock #13.1-158
September 9th Mine, Madan Ore field, Rhodope Mts.
Smolyan Oblast,
Bulgaria
11.8 x 8.2 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Early summer 2021
A very fine cabinet display specimen of gemmy yellow to dark green Sphalerite crystals on a contrasting drusy Quartz boxwork matrix. The Quartz druse sprinkled with cubes of Galena some of which have grown next to the Spahlerites. A classic association from the Madan area of Bulgaria, this is much better than most and in excellent condition. This presents the majority of the Cleiophane (gemmy Sphalerites) in a chain like cluster. These photos are not backlit but with a good light behind the Sphalerites they glow a vivid bright yellow-green which is fantastic in person.
Pyrite - elongated stalactitic ps. Marcasite
stock #AX-19-147
Buick Mine, Bixby, Vibernum Trend, Iron County
Missouri,
United States
7.8 x 1.3 x .8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
A mineral oddity and a choice example of this rare form. Pyrite has formed over a former Marcasite stalactite and is an elongated, slender cube. The central canal hole is visible at the base and the whole piece is complete and terminated. Previously labeled as from Joplin, Misouri, this is quite certainly from the well-known Buick Mine in Iron County some distance away. The cross section of the piece is square and the whole thing is based on an elongated cube form. In excellent condition there is a little overgrowth of later Marcasite on the outside. The luster and color are also good, a bright metallic golden with some silvery spots.
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