Magnetite on Matrix
stock #7 CNA-435
Gaoligong Shan, Baoshan Prefecture
Yunnan,
China
10.8 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
A huge 8 CM magnetite "stretched" octahedron sits on top of a pegmatite matrix that has several other fine magnetites. Super esthetic and with great patina on the display faces this is the best Chinese Magnetite I have seen. The faces show well defined growth hillocks and the "front" as I see it is damage free, there is a contact on the back side. Impressive for any magnetite and incredible from China!
Realgar on matrix
stock #7 CNA-436
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine
Hunan,
China
9.5x7 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
Fantastic gem red glass like and sharp realgars that really glow! This piece has far superior quality to any of the recent Romanian material. From a small find in late 2006, you can see through every crystal here. There is are some areas of chipping that is noticable however the overall impact is so strong that it can be forgiven. The price is however adjusted substantially for this damage.
Mimetite ON HOLD
stock #HOLD 8.1-186
Pingtouling Mine, Liannan, Sanjiang
Guangdong,
China
4.1x2.8CM (miniature)
price: $450
An esthetic spray of fine, undamaged crystals with excellent luster and form growing from a small matrix of gossan. The Pingtouling mimetites are already classics, the mine has been gone for a few years and good examples are now highly sought. The largest xl here is 1.2CM, all have an excellent yellow to orangeish color which displays very well. Hard to find in any decent quality, this is a super price for a fine small miniature.
SOLD Beryl var. Emerald
stock #SOLD 7 FE-565
Dafdar (daftar) Mine, Toshgorgan
Xinjiang, Uygur region,
China
4.6x2.8 (1.5CM XL) (miniature)
price: $0
From the far Western regions of China have come a few emeralds that are distinctly different from the usual material from Malipo in Yunnan Province. Unlike the vanadium rich emeralds that are rarely gemmy or even terminated, This one has a good deep color, is fairly gemmy , sharply terminated and sits well on the matrix. Could be trimmed to a killer thumbnail but looks great as is. This is the best Chinese Emerald crystal I have seen so far, and it was found a few years ago. Despite wishfull thinking, there have not been many pieces from this locale on the market.
SOLD Fluorite phantom growths
stock #SOLD 6.2-698
Huangshaping, Chenzoh prefecture
Hunan,
China
6.8 x 3.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $0
Super sharp, pristine, undamaged and esthetic example from this great recent find. When the pocket zone was hit here 2 years ago, I was fortunate to be first onsite in Hunan province and spent several days selecting the best undamaged pieces from the mine as they were first washed off. There were thousands of good specimines but only a very small percentage were excellent. Unlike the "mine run" seen in the wholesale markets, this small piece is pristine, and very well priced.
Cuprite (var. Chalcotrichite)
stock #7-CNA-416
Daye Iron Mine, Edong Mining District, Huangshi Prefecture
Hubei,
China
8x6CM (cabinet)
price: $130
Fine red hair crystals growing on and in a botroidal gossan matrix. The main vug is about 4.5CM across with hairs reaching 1 CM. Could be trimmed into a few thumbnails and a miniature if desired. A very good example of this mineral, also very delicate but still shipable.
Stannite on Quartz and Muscovite
stock #7-CNA-571
Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Yizhang County
Hunan,
China
7.4x5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
The main Stannite is over 2CM, and has exceptional form, luster and is sharp and complete with stacked growth "towers" on the apexes of the crystal. For this rare specie this is a huge crystal with remarkable shape, much better than the usual globular masses without distinct faces. Overall esthetics and condition are fantastic for this usually nondescript mineral. The color ranges from silver black to a brassy golden depending on the angle of illumination. Yaogangzian Stannites are the best in the world, redefining the species, this is a very fine example.
From a find about 5 years ago came some bladed, sharp Rhodo crystals associated with several species such as Fluorapatite, fluorite, pyrite etc. all of which are present here as sparkling micro xls on the matrix. Great color and condition (very slight damage on one edge that needs magnification to see, all the crystals are perfect) .This has good dense coverage and displays very well!
