A very old piece formerly from collections of Ara Dildalion and William Hladysz, but likely far older. The forms of the original Manganite crystals are very clearly seen are are up to 6.8 cm. The luster of the piece is overall a dull "sooty" black but some faces and terminations have a shiny black luster as well. This region is the source of the great classic Manganites that are especially sought after. This sort of pseudomorph is not especially pretty but they are rare and this one has especially good form
Pyromorphite - large crystals, classic
stock #15.1-059
Bernkastel-Kues (Mosel) Hunsruck
Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany
4 x 3.1 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $890
pre Tucson 2015 update
A classic Pyromorphite from the very famous old locale of Bernkastel (Mosel) that produced the sought after Galena pseudomorphs after Pyromorphite. This is mostly unaltered Pyromorphite with the largest barrel shaped crystal 2.5 CM across. While black coatings and other alterations are noted, the Pyromorphite is mostly olive green and yellowish. There is some chipping as nearly all of these have but it is small and for some quite forgivable as this was probably collected well over 150 years ago. These are now quite rare in any condition.
Torbernite (old classic- type locale)
stock #0797-JM-3610
Johanngeorgenstadt
Saxony,
Germany
6.7 x 4.3 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
pre Tucson 2015 update
A fine, old German Torbernite from the Dr. Moritz Lechner collection (his number 7258 is attached). This important collection was begun in the 1850's and the number indicates this was likely added in about 1890. The collection was built from other significant old collections he purchased during those years, so this piece may be even older. The first descriptions of the mineral from here date to the 1770's. Ex John Marshall collection, this piece has a good relatively dense coverage of sharp plates with a nice deep green color. This locale is known for great Mimetites and some rarities, but it is also the type locality for Torbernite.
A dense cluster of shining crystals with some mixed sulphides sits on a crystallized calcite matrix. Color is fairly dark but good light on some areas picks up the expected red colors of the Pyrargyrite. The Calcites also have red inclusions that may be ruby silver too. Largest xls are about 4-5mm, many are damage free. The loupe also finds one very small elongated red crystal near the bottom that looks more like a Proustite. A good European classic location piece.
Pyromorphite
stock #A0180-JM-2174A
Tanzfleck, Friehung Grafenwohr, Upper Palatinate
Bavaria,
Germany
4 x 2.4 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $450
A German classic, bright, gemmy pyro crystals cover the surface of the sandstone matrix. Ex John Marshall collection. Nice "wet look" example of this classic location, and much better than the usual micro druze. Not often available as this mine has been closed for over 60 years and this piece is likely far older than that.
Manganite w. Barite
stock #8.1-421
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz Mts
Thuringia,
Germany
5.2 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $380
From the most famous and classic locality for Manganite this is a very attractive recent specimen excavated from an adit discovered on an old dump dating to the 1500s. Much Manganite in collections can have several hundred years of history as the Harz Mts have produced the best materials centuries ago. This find produced a small number of good pieces some with very bright luster. This is a good example with excellent contrast with the calcite that has been partially etched away. This is also far more affordable than the vintage materials when they can be found!
A remarkable piece from the legendary classic Manganite locality of Ilfeld, this piece has many fine, large crystals to 3.4 CM in size standing out from the matrix and showing the Manganite form perfectly. Collected from a rediscovered 15th century dump and adit area in 2006, the site is now closed and only a small number of specimens were recovered. A fantastic Psuedomorph, a fine Ilfeld piece and a great bit of mineral history, this is a "black rock" with a lot of class and form!
A pre-1930's piece from the classic location of Bad Ems, best known for fine pyromorphites. This is a sharp, glassy cerussite with only minor edge chipping. It is rare to see minerals of this quality available from these old European locations.
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