Crystalized Gold
stock #7- CALIF -065
Eagles Nest Mine, Placer County
California,
United States
6.8x3.9 CM 48 grams (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $5600
A very fine, classic California crystalized gold with minor offsetting milky quartz . Almost 7 CM across, and over 48 grams this is a substantial flat piece that displays well from either side. A close looks shows complex forms, wires and stretched octahedra. Slightly darker and with a more matt luster compared to some other Eagles Nest gold, this is very esthetic. Based on weight and size alone it is a fine value!
Wulfenite
stock #6.2-167
Urumqui, Kuruktag Mts.
Xinjiang, Uygur region,
China
9.8x7.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $700
Brilliant red wulfenite from this new discovery, crystals reaching 1.7 CM densly cover the gossan matrix. There are 2 different unknown micro crystals coating some areas and the Wulfenites show a selective coating of what looks like quartz on some faces. There is some damage on some crystals which is true of all the larger pieces from the find, but the overall impact is still excellent. There is disagreement over the correct location details on this find, we will keep everyone informed as we try to sort this out and confirm the source.
A very clean, esthetic and sharp piece! The Aquas are pale blue, (largest is over 4 CM across,) gemmy tabular form crystals consisting of two pinicoids and no prism faces. This is a less common form for aqua at Pingwu where there are usually short prism faces present. The albite is well crystalized and some is quite gemmy too. The piece has a saw marks on base and side (from the collecting). Displays very well.
A very nice miniature with a well formed tabular aqua sitting perfectly on matrix. A great value too, the Aqua is a sizable 4.5CM and has a nice pale blue color, with no damage at all. Hot glued on a plastic base for display this is easily removed if desired.
Scheelite on Muscovite
stock #6.2-091
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Huya
Sichuan,
China
6.5x4.5 (miniature)
price: $125
The rich orange color on this 3.1CM Scheelite makes a good impact. Displays well, the backside of the crystal is contacted and is incomplete but from the front view it looks fine. The imperfection also helps keep the price very low for such a good colored crystal. With a little backlight this really glows!
Scheelite on Muscovite
stock #6.2-092
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Huya
Sichuan,
China
10.2X6CM (cabinet)
price: $395
A very sharp, 5.1 CM Scheelite crystal with a nice orange-yellow color sits esthetically on the matrix. Well above the average quality, these are becoming much harder to get and more expensive when they are available. If the recent closing of Xuebaoding is permanent, these Scheelites will be the last and some of the best ever for this species. The base of this is sawn (done at the mine for removal).
Fluoroapatite on Muscovite
stock #6.2-093
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Huya
Sichuan,
China
6.5X 4.5CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $250
A very good example of this rare associated specie from Xuebaoding. This Apatite (1.7CM) has a very strong color change from light pink to a purple violet, and sits well on the matrix. It has a very tiny imperfection on one edge but still displays very well. These are quite uncommon on the market and have gotten very expensive.
Azurite "rosette"
stock #6.2-104
Changmenshan Copper Mine, Jiulang
Jianxi,
China
12.4 X 11 CM (cabinet)
price: $575
A very large and striking example of this find, this ball like cluster has distinct and sharp crystals of Azurite reaching 2 CM with deep blue color. This is less "rose like" than some other examples and more a spherical aggregate of blocky crystals. There is minimal damage (some very small bruises not immediately seen and not in the better display areas) but the overall impact is very strong. One of the very best we have seen from this mine.
