Barite - Classic locale
stock #AX-10-798
Pohla Mine, Schwarzenberg District
Saxony,
Germany
6.1 x 4 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
A very attractive Pohla Barite showing the recognizable form of a chisel-tip termination and gemmy golden tops. The very glassy prisms also show the dark inclusions in the lower sections that give a nice contrast. The tips are fully transparent and the main crystal is doubly terminated. Displays well, this looks in good condition but is not perfect (very few are when examined closely) this has some edge chipping seen with magnification that also helps keep the price low. While not for perfectionists it is still a pretty example from a famed German locality and affordable.
Pyrargyrite -classic, very rich
stock #18.1-272
Himmelsfurst Mine, Brand Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
7.5 x 7.2 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1500
A really fine, large, heavy and rich Ruby Silver from the classic locality of Freiberg. Two large faces are densely encrusted with many dark to bright red crystals in several habits, and whole dosplays well from several angles. A few crystals have typical bruises the vast majority are perfect and the condition is far better than most of these old and delicate pieces. Some dark native Silver is also noted on the matrix. Displays well from several angles, the old label which had been affixed to the piece is damaged and incomplete but the word Frieberg is clear. We are informed that this matrix, habit and style is a perfect match for the Himmelsfurst mine and is clearly a very old piece. The Pyrargyrite is still a good red color despite the age and some darkening, much better than usually seen on these. The Pyrargyite is also set off by some associated milky Quartz and Calcite so it really stands out on display,. The crystals and rounded masses also are protruding well from the matrix which adds a good texture. A very choice, large classic European Ruby Silver that is especially fine in person.
Berthierite
stock #16.1-712
Herold, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
9.4 x 7.1 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $165
Rich well crystalized German Berthierite from Saxony. An older specimen with several previous labels, this has very distinct crystals and bright luster. This is noticeably different from better known Romanian Berthierite due to a much brighter luster and vivid golden- silver colors. The specimen has an unusually detailed locality information, roughly translated as the 115M level on track 15, new camp area of the Herold mine. Berthierite is not usually considered as an attractive mineral but this is far more flashy than typical.
Deep red small crystals of Proustite scattered on a complex mix of tiny yellowish Quartz crystals. A nice thumbnail of a "noble" Silver mineral that has several different habits showing. With magnification some broken areas are noted which is typical for most Proustites but all in all this is a cute and fairly rich specimen from a classic locale. Ex. Wm. Hladysz collection, he acquired this in 2003.
Pink Apophyllite -Classic German
stock #13.1-035
St. Andreasburg, Harz Mts.
Saxony,
Germany
8.8 x 5.9 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $2400
Spring 2019
A choice old Harz Mountains pink Apophyllite ex Erastus Corning (1794-1872) and Cornell University collections. Corning specimens are quite rare in themselves, he was an important politician, industrialist and the city of Corning is named for him. His interests were broad and included a small but fine mineral collection. Likely a pre 1865 specimen, very glassy with fine color and in remarkably fine condition despite the age of this piece. Fine old pink Apophyllites from St. Andreasburg are one of the most desirable 19th Century classic from western Europe. Excellent value for the size quality and provenance
A superb, unusually well formed classic German specimen from the famed Schneeberg mines. The quality is top notch, see the outstanding recent Mineralogical record article on this locale. Sharp, well isolated individual crystals (reaching over 2 CM) contrast with small patches of Cumberland habit druzy Quartz and what seems to be Wendwilsonite. This is ex John Marshall collection piece acquired by him over 50 years ago. The crystal forms on this are well pronounced and show clearly the cubo-octahedral forms with curved faces. These are far more distinct and three dimensional than typical. The display face is in fine, undamaged condition, which is remarkable for this brittle mineral. The only damage to note is on part of the outer edge. Very rare to find any decent specimens available but this one is far beyond that, as fine as any major piece, yet not insanely expensive for a classic..
Malachite Ps after Azurite
stock #AX-30-049
Flubspatgrube, Lichtenberg, Bad Stben, Franconian Forest, Franconia
Bavaria,
Germany
5.9 x 3.3 x 2.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $800
A fine old Pseudomorph with a very well formed main crystal 2.4 CM tall. From the collection of Thomas Fitzpatrick, this is in excellent condition. I have not seen any other of this quality, the separation and contrast with the matrix is superb. There are some smaller crystals on the matrix most with some damage or are fully broken but these are not very obvious. The matrix is largely a dark red to brown Gossan with a few small Goethite spheres. On the bottom of the matrix there seems to be a small zone of Pseudomalachite as well.
Cerussite covered by Pyromorphite
stock #0097-JM-3854
Schapbach, Black Forest, (Wolftal)
Baden-Wurttemberg,
Germany
7.2 x 5.9 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2018
Exceptional quality for this less well known locality. The matrix is almost all Cerussite in many crystal forms, with a small area of Galena nearly all covered with tiny Pyromorphite crystals. The matrix also has a dusting of very tiny clear Quartz in doubly terminated crystals that add a lot of sparkle. There are other Phosphate minerals on the specimen that are not identified. The Pyromorphite ranges from pale yellow to green hues and the whole is very colorful. The shapes of some Cerussite twins are well defined but brightly colored by the coating of pyromorphite. This all makes a very fine look under magnification. Ex John Marshall, Heinz Stempel
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