A fine, sharp and partly gemmy crystal of Scheelite perched and well-exposed on matrix. Bright luster and fine undamaged condition. The crystal is 3 CM across and the color ranges from orange to a straw yellow. From early finds on Mt Xuebaoding, a fine display quality specimen that is of a quality and style not seen in more recent finds.
Scheelite on Muscovite
stock #AX-5-066
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
7.6 x 5.8 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Fall 22
Fine deep orange-red Scheelite crystal on Muscovite matrix. This is an early specimen, ex Shields Flynn collection, that is the most rare and desirable color for Chinese Scheelite. The crystal is 3.2 CM across and lustrous, translucent to transparent. One lower corner has contacts where Muscovite blades grew into the Scheelite, the rest is in excellent condition, sharp and undamaged. As far as I know all Scheelites worldwide are fluorescent, usually a whitish blue. This one is more a yellow to orange color and is quite unusual. Overall a bright and attractive specimen with exceptional color.
A classic combination of species from the famed Mt Xuebaoding (Sichuan, China). Two small but gem-clear Beryl crystals show the classic flat/ tabular form of hexagonal prisms. The Scheelite is an incomplete crystal with excellent orange color and bright luster that is contacted on the back. The matrix is a mat of Muscovite crystals having a rusty color that sits on a massive chunk of country rock that has been sawn on the back, base and sides. These combination specimens have become less common lately and many have become quite expensive, this is a nice example at a relatively low price.
Scheelite with Apatite on Muscovite
stock #AX-15-162-(C76)
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
9.3 x 7.2 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
New Year 22
A fine early Xuebaoding piece ex Bert Ottens and Shields Flynn. A prominent well-formed orange octahedron of Scheelite is surrounded by a scattering of gemmy Apatite crystals, all set on Muscovite blades with a little Calcite as well. The Apatites are transparent and glassy with a pale color, in some light sources they look slightly pink or violet and in other light they are almost colorless. The Scheelite, Apatite and Calcites are all vividly fluorescent and the combination of yellow, pink and bright red is especially vibrant. The Scheelite has sharp, gemmy corners and excellent luster throughout, most faces show well-defined geometric growth structures as well. No damage, a fine Chinese classic.
Beryl var. Aquamarine with Albite, Muscovite
stock #6.2-639
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
5.6 x 4.2 x 3.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $320
Late Summer 2021
A modern classic, an early Xuebaoding type Beryl from Pingwu vintage 2004 season. The Beryl is very glassy the broad faces of the tabular crystal have complex geometric facets from both etching and multiple recrystallizations. The outer narrow faces are sharp and glass-like. Just one narrow edge has some damage not visible from most logical viewing angles but overall the condition is outstanding. The most prominent Albite crystal is a blocky type with pearly luster making a nice contrast. This form of tabular Aquamarine Beryl is rare worldwide but this high elevation locale has almost all of its Beryl in this form.
Scheelite on Muscovite
stock #6.2-899
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
4.3 x 3.4 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $880
Late Summer 2021
Outstanding miniature with a sharp and glassy Scheelite crystal nestled in Muscovite blades. The Scheelite is translucent to transparent and has the sought-after orange color. There is no damage or chipping but there is some cracking to note near the base which have been stabilized. This is not distracting or easy to find without some magnification. The price has taken this into account. Good Scheelites with fine color have become costly, larger specimens of this quality are often well into the 5 figures. This piece was collected in 2005 while the small mines on the higher reaches of Mt. Xuebaoding were active. More recent finds from Pingwu are found at lower elevation and mostly are a light yellow to brownish. A pretty modern classic.
Scheelite on Muscovite
stock #20.1-159
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
10.4 x 7.5 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Spring 2020
Three perfect and sharp crystals of light orange Scheelite are arranged in a connected chain on matrix. Well exposed and nicely nested in the surrounding crystals of Muscovite, this is a a far better thasn typical specimen from the great finds at Xuebaoding almost 20 years ago. The crystals have the classic pseudo Octahedral form and have great luster, some transparency and no damage. Most faces also show complex growth structures and multi stepped zones that are epitaxially aligned. All in all a very clean early Chinese Scheelite with very strong display impact. Sawn on the back from when this was removed, the saw marks are not visible from any display view.
Beryl var. Aquamarine
stock #6.2-080
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
6.6 x 4.7 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $600
Spring 2020
A big (4.3 CM) Aquamarine crystal rises above the Muscovite matrix and is unusually well exposed. This is the wide tabular crystal habit that is rare worldwide but at Mt. Xuebaoding was the normal form. This is an older piece from mining in the 2004 season. Later digging restrictions (for Panda habitat protection) have closed most of the higher elevation areas above Pingwu where this came from. Other mining continues in the region but the mineral production is different. These Beryl are modern classics and while they were rather commonly available 6 years ago they are now quite rare on the market. This specimen is well better than average for the clarity, form and esthetics. In fine condition as seen this is better in person too.
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