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.
Shattuckite balls on Dioptase
stock #421.1-487
Onderra Mine, Opuwo Rural
Kunene Region,
Namibia
3.8 x 3.4 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $750
New Year 22
Really different and super attractive. Balls of blue Shattuckite sitting on crystals of bright green Dioptase. The color and contrast are very fine, this is in superb condition. We have handled a few nice Shattuckite balls in the past year but they are always on Malachite, never like this on lustrous Dioptase. This was the only specimen we saw of this quality and condition. It is much more vivid in person too, a very unusual and striking piece that displays well from most any angle. From a recent find at the Onderra Mine (Namibia), we had hoped there would be more but it seems this was a one time find.
Descloizite - well-crystallized, unusual locale
stock #21.1-282
Olifantsfontein Mine, Olifantsfontein 9 (Annshope), Grootfontein
Otjozondjupa Region,
Namibia
4.7 x 4.1 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $850
Late Summer 2021
A fine cluster of sharp Descloizite crystals in an esthetic cluster. This is an old specimen, the original yellowed label is for Oulifantsfontaine in South West Africa which is an old, little known locality for Descloizite located about 40 KM from the well-known Berg Aukus. This is the first specimen I have ever seen available from this locality and it is in excellent condition with a good luster. This piece is mounted on a wooden checker (game piece) with a black putty. It can be removed but this is a great old mounting job and a nice historic touch. The crystals look fine from every angle, and are in a nice arrangement much like a castle on a mountain.
Descloizite with minor Calcite
stock #21.1-267
Berg Aukus, Grootfontein District
Otjozondjupa Region,
Namibia
5.5 x 4.7 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $600
Early summer 2021
Perfect blades of sharp textbook habit formed in a fine and well-composed specimen. Well beyond the usual quality for the specie. The blades have a scattering of tiny Calcite rhombs that add a nice contrast. The largest crystal is over 3.5 CM and all are quite lustrous with the edges slightly translucent. The color, when backlit, is slightly red-orange but overall this is a golden brown to dark brown. Very close to perfect with no damage visible to naked eye but with good magnification some very very tiny bruises are found. These spots are well under 0.3 mm and not on any of the main crystals, so this is as near to perfect as this delicate mineral gets. Every angle of this is esthetic, it can be shown from any side which is unusual. An excellent small cabinet piece from the world's best locale for the specie, Berg Aukus.
A super attractive miniature from a small new find. This piece was selected from just a few pieces that came out recently as it has just great form and presentation. Aside from that one small lot I have not seen any others before or since. The Shattuckite balls are both isolated and in small clusters. From some angles these look like berries on an evergreen tree. The Malachite is all primary crystals with sharp acicular form. In excellent condition, displays well from all sides. A great Copper secondary specimen that is really different.
SOLD Descloizite
stock #SOLD AX-9-042
Berg Aukus, Grootfontein District
Otjozondjupa Region,
Namibia
5.8 x 5.1 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Early summer 2021
Bladed leafy habit Descloizite crystals are clustered in bunches on smaller Descloizites. The Descloizites are mostly a dark brown color but have zones of orange to reddish as well. Fairly lustrous and mostly in good condition, there are a few broken blades that can be seen at some angles which is typical. The price reflects the imperfections but in person the damage is not really distracting. A good value for a well formed group of Descloizite crystals. The famed Berg Aukus Mine was the world's greatest source of this specie.
An unusually well-formed, sharp and distinct replacement of free-standing Azurites. Azurite pseudos were common from Tsumeb but really good ones are quite rare. The crystals here are quite slender and elongated, being over 3 CM long but the narrow dimension is just 2-3 mm wide. For such a slender and delicate mineral this is in fantastic condition. The wide faces show the classic "starbursts" of the Malachite replacements on the surface, which is especially chatoyant. The main Malachites are perfectly intact and terminated, but some smaller crystals were broken or contacted long ago, but have begun rehealing or recrystallizing. The largest crystals are also free-standing they are only attached at the base and do not lay on the matrix. An older specimen from Tsumeb that also looks a little like some of the best pseudos from the Sacramento Mine at Bisbee.
Rosasite on Malachite over Mimetite
stock #17.1-533
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.3 x 4.4 x 3.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $390
Early summer 2021
A choice example of Rosasite from Tsumeb, this is formed on and next to Malachite which has formed over Mimetite. Several Mimetite crystals have also formed on top of the Rosasite, adding a nice color contrast. The central "tower" of botryoidal Rosasite is about 2.5 CM (inch) tall, with a velvet luster that gives a nice focus to the specimen. Tsumeb is unquestionably the locality that has best mixed many beautiful secondary minerals of diverse elements, habits and forms.
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