Rhodochrosite (new find at classic locale)
stock #18.1-673
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.2 x 2.1 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $2250
A superb large thumbnail/ toenail Rhodo that has exception bright luster, color and is perfectly undamaged. This is part of a small find made late last year at the famed Nchwaning #1 mine. The result of years of digging in an attempt to find more of the legendary scalenohedral gem clear Rhodos last produced over thirty years ago. Those are now some of the most highly prized mineral specimens in the world. This new find was small but the quality was excellent. The Rhodo crystals are small but perfect, lustrous and with top intense red. This specimen has a mix of habits and forms all with a luster that is almost impossibly bright, best appreciated in person.
A few tiny Hematite crystals are scattered on the piece as well otherwise this is all pure gem Rhodochrosite. We had the opportunity to select a few of the very best pieces from the find as they were unveiled at the Munich show, this is one of them.
Gaudefroyite
stock #AX-14-387
Wessels Mine, Hotazel, Northern Kalahari Mn Fields
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
1.7 x 1.1 x .7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $475
A top killer thumbnail of Gaudefroyite, the rare manganese mineral only known in decent crystals from a few places, all in the Kalaharie Manganese fields. This specimen is a stellar example with textbook form, sharp edges and bright luster. This is a large (for the specie) main crystal with a few smaller crystals on the base, and the prism has none of the crudeness or dull faces usually seen. Superb specimen of a usually unattractive rare, black mineral.
Rhodochrosite- gem crystal
stock #18.1-254
Hotazel Mine, Kalahari Mg Field
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.2 x .7 x .4 CM (thumbnail)
price: $450
Worldwide mix summer
Clean, sharp, brilliant luster and intense red color in this single scalenohedral type Rhodo prism. From the Hotazel mine, this clearly grew in contact with other crystals and so the faces show the geometric imprints of those forms. Perfectly terminated (not cleaved which is rare) and with excellent clarity, this is a the sort of thumbnail that looks fine in any display.
Very sharp transparent and bright green Octahedral Fluorites are in an esthetic cluster. The main crystal is very well isolated and absolutely perfect which is quite rare. The matrix is all crystallized milky quartz that makes a good contrast with the Fluorites. Riemvasmaak octahedrons are highly respected and among the worlds best, they have been found sporadically for about 10 years, currently there is no new production. Choice pieces of this quality can be very expensive, however, this is especially reasonable from the last good finds in 2014.
Hematite, Henritermierite, Andradite and Hausmannite
stock #17.1-047
Wessels Mine, Hotazel, Northern Kalahari Mn Fields
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
8.5 X 5.5 X 2.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1650
Pre Holiday 2017
A superb specimen from the esthetic point of view and a super rare example of the weird Garnet specie Henritermierite in tiny octahedral crystals. The bright red- orange Andradites garnets are also densely coating fine Hematite crystals with an esthetic contrast. In undamaged, perfect condition this displays impressively well. Fine Andradite coating Hematite was found in several pockets at Wessels years ago but not often so attractive or with the rare associate Henritermierite. A very fine specimen with several older labels from European collections.
Inesite with Barite
stock #A-14-326
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
6.6 x 5.4 x 4.2 (cabinet)
price: $1150
Pre Holiday 2017
A dense mat of sharp pink to orange Inesite crystals covers most of a matrix which also hosts several clear Barite crystals. In excellent condition, from the classic NChwaning mine, this has fine luster and displays super well. The find of Inesite more than a decade ago has not been repeated, these rank as some of the best specimens ever found. This is a top percentile specimen, with strong display impact. Choice, and now very rare on the market.
Rhodochrosite - gem Scalenohedral
stock #17.1-327
Hotazel Mine, Kalahari Mg Field
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.2 x 1.9 x 1.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $825
Pre Holiday 2017
Superb color and unusual variation on form, this is a rich thumbnail of glass clear brilliant Rhodo. The good South African Rhodochrosites have not been found for some time and they are considered some of the greatest ever discovered. This shows why these are so coveted, the color is incredibly intense. The crystals are dominantly scalenohedral but have some variations that are quite a bit more complex. An older specimen this is fine condition as seen. All of the crystals are fully transparent, much more so than the photos show. Choice.
Fluorite with epitaxial overgrwths on Quartz
stock #AX-14-294
Riemvasmaak, Kakamas district
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
5.4 x 3.8 x 2.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $770
new june 17
Intense translucent green Octahedron perfectly set on sharp Quartz crystals. Ata quick glance a fine and attractive piece but the really significant feature is seen on a closer look. All the corners of the Octa have colorless epitaxial caps of Fluorite that is also well crystallized. A textbook perfect and esthetic specimen with incredible form. In undamaged condition and with top color, this was from a small find at Riemvasmaak 3 years ago.