Cerussite - large twin crystal
stock #6.2-921
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.4 x 6.7 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Spring 23
Cerussite crystal in a sixling form with 4 of the 6 arms being well-defined and terminated, and two truncated. The Cerussite is a milky white color with some smoky phantom areas. This is almost pure Cerussite (458 Grams) with just a little adhering matrix in a few areas. The specimen on close exam seems to be an intergrowth of two or more twins in parallel position. Some rough spots are noted that are very small and almost invisible on the front display side, some chipping is seen on the back. From the side the Cerussite arms show well-defined striations and several areas of transparency. This is not perfect as noted above, but very few are ever fully perfect. This is a famously delicate and fragile mineral but this one has a classic form, large size, and a very good value for a cabinet sized Cerussite.
Azurite crystals with deep blue color in a complex cluster. Several different terminations are noted here, many are flat or chisel tipped, some are more prismatic. The luster ranges from dull to moderately bright, with some faces very reflective. The back side is contacted but seems to have been recrystallized or healed. On the display side the main crystals are undamaged but a few have either contacts or adhering bits of other minerals that give some roughness. Azurites from Tsumeb took many forms and habits, this piece has several of them. The largest crystal is just under 3 CM.
Glassy transparent crystals of Calcite with well-defined phantoms of red Hematite. A classic from Tsumeb, this is an especially bright and colorful example. The outer edges show the breaks where this was removed from the host rock but the core of the specimen is in very good condition, only minor edge scuffs are seen on close exam. The included Hematite seems to be in two different generations, some darker clouds are a brown-red color while the sharply defined phantoms are more red and form thin lines. A choice example of this from this classic locality. Looks better in person.
Duftite on and in Calcite
stock #7.AE-018
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.3 x 4.6 x 2.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $280
Fall 22
A nice combination specimen from Tsumeb. The Calcite is in two generations; the fist is a stack of discrete rhomb crystals that have been coated by green Duftite. The second generation is of tiny clear Calcite crystals that grew over some of the Duftite and add a nice sparkle. Quite esthetic and displays well despite few clean cleaves. Nice color and quality for the price.
Colorful and classic Tsumeb specimen with flower-like sprays of light yellow Mimetite on a field of green Malachite balls. The specimen is quite richly covered and the Mimetite is well-distributed. One of the many reasons that Tsumeb is such a revered locality is the amazing diverse combinations of mineral species, elements, alterations and forms that are sometimes very esthetic. This is a choice example of these lead and copper species together. In very good condition as seen. The surface has hundreds of Malachite balls which with close exam are seen to be in the shape of Cuprite crystals (dodecahedral form) covered and altered to Malachite with a botryoidal surface. This alteration is very much like the classic Chessy, France pseudomorphs but with a different texture. An excellent display quality specimen with lots to see on it.
Fluorite - elongated cubes in chain
stock #22.FC-075
Erongo Mountain, Karibib
Erongo Region,
Namibia
5.1 x 1.2 x 1.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $340
Fall 22
A well-formed elongated stack of cubic green Fluorite crystals with purple zones. From the Erongo mountains we normally see some elongated spinel twins or octahedral crystals in chains but this stack of cubes is very unusual. The chain has a slight taper towards the base and also has a very slight twist on close exam. A unique, complete undamaged specimen that looks fine on all sides, a minor contact on the base and perfect termination on top.
An attractive and very unusual Fluorite for those who enjoy oddities. A snakelike cluster of Fluorite crystals which on close exam are all octahedral and aligned in a stack with a little curve and even some blending of faces so the whole looks like a stretched prism on some edges. From the prolific Erongo Mountains (Namibia) where some wonderful and rare forms have turned up over the years. This is also impressive when backlit the green crystals are seen to have a lighter inner zone with a distinct deep yellow to orange line running the length of the stack, much like a faden line. This does not show in the photos as they are not strongly backlit. All the crystals show a bit of etching and textured faces as well. The top of the piece shows a distinct termination or octahedral edge while the base is more etched and less distinct. No bruises or damage to note, a very odd and oddly attractive Fluorite. Far more impressive in person too.
Cuprite - classic Tsumeb
stock #16.1-470-(CN5501)
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.1 x 4.2 x 3.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $750
New Year 22
A rich array of stacked, aligned crystals of Cuprite from Tsumeb. Cuprite is not rare from this mine but this is an unusually esthetic and sizable cluster of crystals, the largest to almost 1 CM. Under average lighting this looks very dark, almost black, but with strong lighting the more red color is seen. Most of the crystals are translucent and can glow with a good backlight. In excellent condition the matrix hosts a few isolated crystals but the main pure cluster of Cuprite is a full 5 CM across. The epitaxial arrangement of the Cuprite (most of these are Octahedra and aligned) is also very evident in person. A much better than usual Cuprite from Tsumeb, this is ex Charles M. Noll collection.
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