Apatite (Fluorapatite) - unusual locality
stock #20.1-760
Dolny Bori, Bory, Zaar nad Sazavou District
Vysocina Region,
Czech Republic
4.7 x 3.1 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Blue-green Apatite crystals perched on a Feldspar and Quartz matrix. The Apatites are well-exposed, terminated and have a two tone fluorescence. Ex Bohumil Vrzal collection. From an important but
less well-known Pegmatite in the Czech Republic, that has been the source of many interesting minerals. Sadly the zone is now closed and reclaimed. The color on this piece is quite a bit more vivid than others I have seen and the terminations are a little more complex than the typical flat tops.
Hemimorphite -exceptional bright blue botryoidal
stock #24.1-145
MFouati Mine, Bouenza Department
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
4.1 x 2.8 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $350
Intense deep blue and with a wet-look luster, this is a very fine Hemimorphite from a recent find at the Mfouati Mine. This locality in the Republic of Congo has in the past 2 years offered a few fine surprises to the mineral world. We understand that nothing new is possible now as the ownership and management have changed there. That said this is a fine Hemimorphite from anyplace and as fine as any we have seen in this size.
Leucite - clustered twin crystals
stock #AX-35-101
Roccamonfina, Caserta Province
Campania,
Italy
4.3 x 4.1 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $80
Leucite is a mineral oddity in that it is classified as both a Feldspathoid and is listed in the Zeolite family as well. It has a crystal form very similar to
Analcime. This cluster is in the typical habit and from a well-known Italian locality. Complete all around no damage.
Fluorite with Sphalerite, unusual edges
stock #22.1-260
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
4.7 x 3.8 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $300
A cluster of Fluorite cubes with geometrically etched, stepped faces and unusual double beveled edges. From the great Elmwood Mine the main cube is 2.8 CM across and in fine condition. Sphalerite, Quartz and Fluorite are the matrix on this piece. The edge bevel is double forming a V point which is a rather rare modification best seen from Elmwood. Good deep color but still translucent, the luster is glossy and distinct.
A killer of Piedmont style Garnet on Clinochlore. Perfect, well-formed and well-exposed Grossular crystals up to 1.2 CM. contrast with blue green matrix. Fine condition Italian specimens with such large size crystals from the high elevation Rodingite zones are prized by collectors the world over. These rank as some of the world’s best for the specie. This piece has several Garnets in an epitaxial cluster but also has perfectly isolated crystals as well. The bright luster makes this hard to photograph but in person it is very impressive and eye-catching.
Grossular - Gem crystals on Pectolite
stock #AX-32-066
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.3 x 2.5 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $3300
Over several decades many fine Grossular have come from the Jeffrey Mine, but very few are truly gem crystals. This is an exceptionally fine and rare specimen with outstanding clarity, especially vivid color and top luster. The matrix is also much less common, a mass of Pectolite crystals that adds a contrast in texture and color. The Garnets are clear enough to see through to the matrix below. We have worked with many fine Jeffrey Garnets but very few of this quality ever. This is not at all typical of the deposit and is better in person as well. In excellent condition as seen with only some small internal cleaves not visible from most angles. Those would be fully invisible if this was not such a gem clear specimen. A excellent Garnet from anyplace and very fine for the Jeffrey Mine.
Breunnerite - (Fe bearing Magnesite)
stock #AX-35-102
Muhlebach, Ernen, Goms
Wallis,
Switzerland
4.3 x 3 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $220
Pre Tucson
Something quite unusual. Breunnerite is a variety of Magnesite that was for almost 2 centuries considered to be an accepted mineral specie. This is now classified as a Magnesite variety but with a high Iron ratio and Mg dominant. No matter the classification, these are huge crystals for this variety, up to 2.8 CM and these contrast well with the greenish Talc matrix. The best of this material is found in European Alpine regions, as was this specimen. The crystals also show zoning and look much more like Siderite than Magnesite, and are partially translucent. Not often seen at all in the mineral market here, this is an especially well-crystallized specimen.
Wulfenite on Cerussite
stock #RP 20-FC-059-(9164)
MFouati Mine, Bouenza Department
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
4.8 x 3.8 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $2850
Pre Tucson
The new finds of Wulfenites of M'Fouati have been huge news in the mineral world. The association with Cerussite and the remarkable etching of the blocky habits is unlike any others ever found. This specimen has superb esthetics all around and is in perfect condition. The Wulfenite has intense color with glassy luster on some faces and many geometrically etched patterns on other faces. The Cerussite is complete, undamaged on all sides with just a small contacted area on the underside. These Cerussites are twinned in multiple ways and some are also etched on selective faces. There were not many specimens of this top caliber found, these few killers are instant classics.
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