Andradite - Demantoid
stock #22.1-696
Black Lake, Thetford Mines, Les Appalaches, RCM
Quebec,
Canada
5.5 x 5.3 x 23.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $550
Pre Tucson
A fine mint green Garnet crystal with the unusual and quite rare flattened habit sits atop the matrix of druzy Andradites. The main crystal is just over 1.1 CM across and is complete, undamaged and in tabular form. From the finds at Black Lake (Quebec, Canada) about 20 years ago, this is far above the average quality known from this important locality. Black Lake Quarry was not very far from the larger and more famed Jeffrey Mine, but had a somewhat different mineralization. More Andradite than Grossular Garnets are known from here and the predominant color was green Demantoid. Good specimens of this quality are quite rare on the market, much less common than Jeffrey Garnet. In excellent condition.
Rhodochrosite with Elpidite etc.
stock #23.1-151
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Quebec,
Canada
3.7 x 2.6 x 3.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $690
A superb small miniature or "toenail" with a sharp triagonal Rhodochrosite perched on top. In excellent condition the Rhodo is the classic form from Mont St. Hilaire, and has the triagonal center hopper in the center of the largest crystal. Lots of additional micro crystals and species are on the specimen but the Rhodochrosite is really the dominant focal point, it is 2.2 CM across and has very good color. What looks like chipping or damage on a top edge is actually well crystalized with tiny step faces. The Rhodochrosites of Mt St Hilaire took several forms but the triagonal crystals are still the most distinctive and are incredibly rare at all other localities. This specimen was found more than 30 years ago, they were never common and there is nothing now. Classic and esthetic!
A well-positioned Zircon crystal dominates this thumbnail specimen from Bancroft, Canada. The Zircon from this locality are variety Cyrtolite and this specimen has a very well-formed red- brown crystal that is perfectly exposed and is doubly terminated. Ex Hitchings collection obtained in 1969. Slightly translucent the crystal is not damaged but on the backside is some contacting not seen from any display angle.
A salmon pink to orange crystal of Serandite which is complete and doubly terminated. Choice single crystal with fine provenance. This also has a druse of tiny clear Behoite crystals on some faces. Good luster, form and color. From the noted collections of Elmer B. Rowley, William Hladysz and the New York Sate Museum mineral collection with number NYSM 10633. That label is included, the specimen was collected over 60 years ago.
Grossular with Heazlewoodite, Clinoclore and Gold!
stock #AX-16-431
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 3 x 3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $1500
Pre Tucson
An important and exotic piece from Jeffrey Mine, this has the deep green gemmy Grossular (so called Chrome Grossular) scattered on a matrix of Clinochlore etc. This alone is not so exotic or important, but both Heazlewoodite and native Gold are. While this is an attractive specimen of brilliant Garnets, the main interest (for some) is several very well-formed, sharp tiny crystals and clusters of Heazelwoodite. Seen with magnification these are textbook sharp, of course this is a rare mineral worldwide and very rare at Jeffrey. But what makes this even more important is only seen starting at 40 X magnification and best revealed at 80-100x. There are several tiny but distinct crystals of Gold some of which are elongated. Of course this is all micro sized but super-rare and impossible to find material from this world-class locality. Aside from the exciting micros, the overall esthetics of the bright green Grossular is attractive in its own right. Unfortunately our photographs at very low magnifications can not show the micros properly, but they may be rephotographed later on with specialized gear.
Pectolite - fine prismatic crystals
stock #AX-16-489
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.3 x 3.8 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $520
Pre Tucson
An especially well-formed cluster of prismatic, doubly terminated crystals of Pectolite from the great find more than 25 years ago at the Jeffrey Mine of Quebec. Pectolite is only rarely found in prismatic crystals like this, it is typically in spheres or thin radiating needles. Worldwide only the Jeffrey Mine and the Poudrette Quarry (both in Quebec, Canada) ever produced crystals of this sort. Pectolite is a Calcium analog of Serandite, which is also a Canadian specialty. These crystals are in a jackstraw arrangement and transparent on edges, lustrous and have a light milky color. In excellent condition, the form is classic for the Jeffrey Mine, this style has never been found anyplace else on earth, and is a rare crystalized representation of this specie.
Cubanite - conjoined sixling twin
stock #AX-24-531
Henderson Number 2, Chibougamau
Quebec,
Canada
2.5 x 1.8 x .6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $950
Pre Tucson
Super sharp and lustrous golden metallic Cubanite twins in a complete asymmetric spray. From the remote Henderson number 2 Mine, vintage 1996. The Cubanites from this mine are far and away the best in the world, sadly this was the last find. There have been no more for over 25 years. Cubanite is a fragile specie, these undamaged twins are very rare. This one is exceptional with complete edges. It may look in the photos like the edges are contacted or broken but in person they are complete and crystalized all around. The radiating crystals have the classic sixling habit that is so distinctive of this specie at this location. There are not many nice ones for sale today, this is a rare "reasonable" price thumbnail that is also much prettier in person.
Cubanite - very large crystals
stock #8.AE-702
Henderson Number 2, Chibougamau
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 4.3 x 1.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $2900
Early summer 2023
Large twinned crystals in a cluster with minimal matrix. The 2 largest crystals are 3.7 and 2.9 CM across which is huge for the specie. None of the 5 main crystals are perfect, all are either contacted or have some edge chipping. The right side crystal that looks broken in photos is mostly only contacted and has a stepped crystal growth on the edge. All crystals are a bright golden metallic and most show the classic twinning that is famed at this locale. While not for perfectionists this is still a substantial specimen and not 5 or 6 figures in price.
The Henderson Mine at Chibougamau closed forever in 1986. For a very short time the best Cubanites ever seen were produced, though great ones were still very rare. Today these are prized as modern classics and when perfect command very high prices. While this is not perfect it is still attractive and the crystals are exceptionally large.
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