Native Copper - crystalized Cornish
stock #22.1-169
Trevassack Quarry, The Lizard Penninsula, Goonhill Downs, Mawgan-in Mene
Cornwall,
England
6.4 x 3.9 x 1.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $290
Fall 22
Classic Native Copper tree-like form with a colorful patina is perched on a shard of matrix. In fine condition with some slight iridescence in strong light, this is a an older piece with three previous collection labels included. This is from a less well-known locality at this former serpentine Quarry. The Copper crystals are distinct though crude, flattened and elongated having grown in a narrow seam. Some adhering Serpentine and Chrysocolla add a nice accent.
An especially fine thumbnail of elongated Chalcocite crystals some showing the cogs-wheel form of twinning. From the classic Cornish locality of Levant, which operated from 1793 to 1930 which produced some of the very best of British Chalcocites. This style is quite uncommon from the mine and presents well from all sides. In excellent condition with well-defined form and esthetic composition.
Liroconite - superb, classic British
stock #22.FC-003
Wheal Gorland, St Day, United Mines, Gwennap. Camborne, Redruth-St. Day
Cornwall,
England
6.2 x 4 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $3100
Post Tucson 2022
Often described as a holy grail specie, Cornish Liroconite is certainly the epitome of a rare, classic, beautiful and highly desired mineral. Bright, sharp and vivid blue crystals are nestled in five vugs of various sizes on tall sides of the matrix. The great finds of this mineral in England are very old, most going back to the late 18th century and ending in the mid 1800's. This piece is certainly very old, probably well over 150 years and comes from the type locality (Wheal Gorland). The crystals have superb color and are in excellent condition. Liroconite has been found at a few other localities worldwide, but never in fine display quality or large crystals. It is worth noting a small recent find of the mineral in China that had drawn a lot of interest, but none had large or well-developed crystals. These Cornish specimens are still the greatest and most coveted on the planet.
A large and rich specimen of this uncommon Turquoise variety from the St. Austell district where this was originally described from several mines. The Rashleighite is a botryoidal green covering much of the matrix. This is set off nicely by sparkling micro crystals of what seems to be very transparent Siderite. A sizable and colorful old Cornish specimen.
Calcite - old English
stock #21.1-288
Haile Moor Mine, Haile, Copeland
Cumbria,
England
4.7 x 3.2 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
An esthetic cluster of glassy, translucent reddish- pink color Calcites from Cumbria, England. Old labels from the collection of Marie Osbonlighter and Robert Eaton are included. This Calcite is vividly Fluorescent. Most of the colorful Calcites from this region were found long ago the majority were colorless. The Haile Moor Mine is known to have produced some Calcites with Hematite inclusions that give a reddish color like this. An attractive miniature from most any point of view. Overall in fine condition though there is one cleave on a crystal that is visible at some angles (shown in these photos) but is clearly not distracting or easily noticed.
Hold Hematite with Quartz (Eisenkiesel)
stock #15.1-334
Florence Mine, Egremont
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
11.3 x 8 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1900
new year 2021
A superb and very esthetic old "Eisenkiesel" that looks like a volcano showing bright red Quartz in the crater. The Hematite is a big heavy hemisphere on the outside, but the inside display side has the open oval void that is filled with sparkling blood red crystals mimicking lava. A small amount of the red Quartz seems to be flowing down one of the volcano sides. Looks great from most any angle, the color is more vivid than others I have seen from the UK and the form is exceptional, a top example from anyplace. In great condition, there is no damage. Classic.
An excellent old Cornish Cerussite with sharp crystals to 2CM long. The crystals are all twinned with most showing a complete sixling habit. These look like six spoked gears when seen on end. The matrix is mostly a vuggy Quartz with micro crystals sparkling on most surfaces. For such a delicate mineral this is in good condition. Hard to know the exact age of this specimen, it has an old collection number on it, the mine was most active in the mid 1800's but there has been collecting activity in more recent years.
Allophane - historic, classic locale
stock #AX-35-050-(2695)
Tavistock, West Devon
Devon,
England
6.5 x 5 x 1.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
new year 2021
A very nice, old (1895) English specimen with fine provenance. This is from the famed Wallace Gould Levison collection. His label on the specimen is intact and we will include a photocopy of the page from his collection ledger which indicates he received this from F L Smith on December 7th, 1895. The specimen has blue, green, white and yellow colored Allophane masses. This is every color I know of for Allophane, all on one specimen. Colorful small botryoidal and stalactitic masses best appreciated with good magnification. Allophane is not currently listed by Mindat from Tavistock but it is well-known from the West Devon area. This piece is very high quality. Outstanding historic and colorful UK specimen.
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