Chromian Wulfenite
stock #18.1-621
Chapacase Mine, Tacopillia Dist, Tacopilla Province
Antofagasta Region,
Chile
2.5 x 1.7 x 1.4 CM (thumbnail)
price: $110
A choice, rare example of the deep red Chromian variety of Wulfenite. Known from just three localities, the best specimens have all come from finds over 20 years ago in Chile. This piece is from those finds and shows classic form micro crystals on all sides of the matrix. Especially brilliant under the microscope this is in good condition and has well formed crystals with several habits densely encrusting. No eye visible damage but some micro chipping is found with 20X magnification on a few of the many otherwise perfect crystals.
Krohnkite - large crystals, rare habit
stock #AX-18-037
Chuquicamata Mine, Calama, El Loa Province
Antofagasta Region,
Chile
4.7 x 3.6 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $580
Worldwide mix summer
Bright, large blocky habit Krohnkite crystals in a cluster with minimal matrix. From the type locale, Chuquicamata which is the only place where this rare Copper Halide was ever found in such fine crystals. While and non micro crystals are rare most of those are fibrous growths or slender clusters. Prismatic habits like this are far more uncommon, and were all found long ago. Most of the existing specimens were collected long before 1934 (the early 1900 era was most productive) but it is probable a few came out later. The zone where these were found was long ago disappeared, consumed by the largest open pit mine on the planet. Only seen now from old collections.
Quartz on Chrysocolla Pseudomorphs
stock #18.1-130
Inca De Oro, Chanaral
Atacama Region,
Chile
9.1 x 6.8 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Spring update
Brilliant sparkling blue Chrysocolla overgrown by gem clear druzy Quartz. The Chrysocolla has replaced earlier acicular crystals of Malachite. The individual needles reach 1.5 CM A single broken needle off to the side seems to show a core of Dioptase but we are told these are in fact Malachite, the core area is rather gemmy and very bright. No matter what the original material this is very esthetic and totally different from any other Chrysocolla. An attractive, intriguing and unique Copper specimen!
Copper and Gold on Quartz
stock #AX-19-322
Andacollo Mine
Elqui Province,
Chile
3.6 x 2.3 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $850
May 2015
An exceptionally rare combination of well-crystallized Gold on well crystallized Copper. This is a nice Copper specimen with elongated spinel twin crystals in esthetic curving "horns" and some distinct texahexahedral crystals. What makes it special is the addition of several areas of well-crystallized native Gold. The Gold is best seen with a loupe but some is eye visible with well-developed branching sprays and bright yellow metallic color tucked in several areas on the specimen. This little known mine is one of the few locales that ever produced Gold on Copper, and by far the most attractive. There were not many pieces in the find, these are are now almost impossible to find. This one is the best I have seen.
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