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27 specimens listed
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Quartz (phantom) with Epidote - California, USA
stock #23.1-003
Calaveras River Canyon, Valley Springs area, Calaveras County
California, United States
8.8 x 5.1 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $950


A really choice and sharp Calaveras County Quartz with Epidote. One of the best phantom inclusions we have seen from anyplace in the USA, the main Quartz is very clear, unpolished and in very fine condition with no visible tip dings. The smaller Quartz are contacted and not complete but not damaged. The small light-green Epidote crystals are distinct, some are terminated and all have good striations. The phantom is a good green color and from some angles the refraction of the clear quartz makes it seem that there are many phantoms in a chevron stack. The Calaveras Canyon Quartz finds were some of the best phantom Quartz found in the USA and the addition of the Epidote adds a lot of nice character on this piece.

Elbaite - unusual California tourmaline color
stock #AX-7-181-(144)
Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill,Mesa Grande District, San Diego County
California, United States
2.7 x 1.2 x 1.1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $640
Spring 23

A sharp and unusual gem Tourmaline from old finds at the famed Himalaya Mine. Ex Larry White collection, which he obtained in 1964 with two other Himalaya Tourmalines, but this was the only one with this color. We usually see the pinks and some yellow-greens but this mint green to bluish color is very uncommon. The condition is excellent, the termination complete and with fine transparency, this is nearly all facet grade Tourmaline. Better in person.

Mcguinnessite
stock #0888-JM-3125
Miners Ridge, Red Mountain, Mendocino County
California, United States
7.2 x 4.9 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $90
new year 2021

A good sized blocky matrix with Mcguinnessite in rich crystalline crusts on several faces. Ex John Marshall collection, this is from the type locality area of Red Mountain. Close exam shows there are many tiny spheres and cups of blue green mineral, as well as some massive zones. A nice example of this unusual Copper mineral.

Neptunite with Benitoite on Natrolite
stock #AC-368
San Benito Peak, San Benito County
California, United States
10.6 x 6.4 x 5.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
new year 2021

Cabinet sized matrix specimen covered with a dense mass of lustrous black Neptunite on the display face. A single blue Benitoite is tucked away in the mix so this is really all about the Neptunites. Several crystals are doubly terminated and all contrast well with the white matrix. This is an older piece from the Immer Cook collection, dating to the late 1960 era. Choice piece with the Neptunite well-exposed and displaying very well.

Elbaite (Rubellite) with Lepidolite
stock #AX-7-233-(646)
Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill,Mesa Grande District, San Diego County
California, United States
2.1 x 1.5 x 1.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $650
new year 2021

A fine, super colorful thumbnail Tourmaline from the Larry White collection. Great condition, gemmy transparency and vivid pink to red color that contrast with the purple Lepidolite. This is currently mounted on one of Larry's handmade wooden bases but it can easily be removed if desired. A slight bend near the termination and some color zoning add extra interest. In addition the crystal shows a very good dichroic color shift in polarized light. Choice small thumbnail. A classic USA gem crystal, esthetic, and even nicer in person.

Mercury (native) with Tiemannite and Cinnabar
stock #18-AX 10-406
Sonoma County
California, United States
5.7 x 3.4 x 2,9 CM (cabinet)
price: $330


A rarely seen native element, Mercury sometimes is found in oxidized parts of Cinnabar deposits. This is an incredibly rich piece with dozens of globules partly protruding from the matrix, The silvery globs are in some cases over 2-3 mm and very dense so easily seen on display, not like most pieces which are rather subtle. As is the case with all such specimens it has been sprayed with a non visible fixative to keep the droplets from shedding. There are a few tiny spots of silvery metallic Tiemannite which is a rare Mercury Selenide. The matrix is a shale with a few zones of bright red Cinnabar. Choice and not often available, this is a 1960's vintage specimen, the original label only gives the county as a locale but this looks like a perfect match for specimens from the Socrates Mine.

HOLD Axinite - Gemmy crystals
stock #HOLD 20.111
New Melones Spillway (Dam site), Calaveras County
California, United States
3.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $300


A very glassy cluster of transparent Axinite crystals from the collection of Brett Keller (Mineral wines). The new Melones Spillway of Calaveras county had a small but exceptional find in the 1970's. The Axinite (Ferro-Axinite) are considered to be among the best ever found in the USA. This piece is A choice small miniature that could perhaps be trimmed to thumbnail size. It has choice color, luster and transparency. No damage seen by naked eye but with a good loupe a few micro rough bits can be found. This is in far better condition than most, very close to full perfect.

Lawsonite - ex Vaux, type locality, exceptional
stock #19.1-803
Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County
California, United States
6.8 x 4 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $2950
Spring 2020

A superb specimen with exceptional provenance. From the famed Vaux collection this specimen from the original find has a 1897 date on the reverse of the label. Lawsonite is a fairly rare mineral and these are huge crystals for the specie. This old find was also the source of the best Lawsonites ever found, and this specimen is superb, one of the very best. Vaux was a very selective collector famed for his taste and care in selecting for his personal collection which was one of the best of his era. These Lawsonite crystals have sharp striated faces, choice luster, excellent blue color and reach 2 CM. I have only ever seen one specimen with larger crystals, it was the piece from the Roebling collection at the Smithsonian, but on this Vaux specimen the crystals are more perfect with better color and form. The matrix is mostly Glaucophane, in micaceous form, the whole specimen displays very well. Original handwritten Vaux label included which also notes this piece is 64.6 grams. An important piece, this is a true classic.