Diopside
stock #15.1-310
Gilgit, Gilgit district
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
5.1 x .7 x .9 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
Fall 2015
An unusual and fine gem crystal from Pakistan that came out over 20 years ago. Ex Herb Obodda and Chris Amo collection, this is sharp, lustrous and clear dark green. An excellent Diopside from anyplace, and outstanding from Pakistan. In excellent condition damagewise, this needs good lighting to help show well the rich color and transparency, without it is very dark. Our photos use a small amount of backlight to help show the clarity. This has the best luster, color and overall condition of any I have seen from here.
Inesite, Calcite & Quartz
stock #AX-15-276
Fengjiashan Mine (Daye Mine), Daye County, Huangshi Pref.
Hubei Province,
China
6.2 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
Fall 2015
A sizable red to pink "bowtie" spray of well-formed crystals is nicely perched on Calcite crystals. From the collection of Shields Flynn and supplied by Bert Ottens, this is a way above average quality Inesite from the great finds in 2002. The main spray is 4.1 cm tall which is unusually big, and the condition is excellent with no visible damage. This location was once quite prolific but we have seen nothing in the past few years. A choice specimen of a modern classic.
Calcite on Marcasite w. Dolomite
stock #AX-17-1074
Benchmark Quarry, St. Johnsville, Montgomery County
New York,
United States
4.8 x 3.1 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $45
Fall 2015
Very cute, affordable and in good condition from the Benchmark quarry collected by Bill Hladysz many years ago. A single Calcite prism is perched on a Dolomite and Marcasite matrix with a few micro Pyrites as well. These are modern NY classic specimens.
Calcite w. Marcasite & Dolomite
stock #AX-17-1073
Benchmark Quarry, St. Johnsville, Montgomery County
New York,
United States
4.7 x 3.2 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $95
Fall 2015
Amber colored Calcite crystals are prominently perched on a crystallized Dolomite matrix. In fine condition with rich color and above average clarity, this was collected by Bill Hladysz many years ago. The Benchmark Quarry is now something of a modern NY state classic locality. Affordable and pretty.
Apatite (CaF) / Fluorapatite
stock #15.1-465
Megiliggar Rocks Breage, Mount's Bay Dist.
Cornwall,
England
1.8 x .3 x .3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $340
Fall 2015
Gem clear crystal in fine condition from this classic Cornish location. The crystal includes a crude but distinct internal "helix" pattern which adds considerable interest. A fine small specimen with delicate pale blue color and glassy luster.
An old Cornish classic, this pseudomorph is a complete and sharp replacement of the original twinned Feldspar. No damage or missing areas, this is a perfect floater. Textbook form much like a crystal model. Sometimes called "pig's ears" these are not "beauty" type display minerals but they are distinctive and unique to these old finds. Not many turn up for sale, this one is the best and sharpest example we have seen available.
Smithsonite
stock #13.1-377
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Fall 2015
A well-formed Tsumeb Smithsonite with individual crystals up to 1 cm. It has become common to refer to all Smithsonite that is yellow to orange as "Cadmian". However, without an analysis to confirm this may not be correct in all cases. This specimen has not been analyzed but it does have a very good color, form, and will fit well into a Smithsonite or Tsumeb suite.
Vesuvianite
stock #17.1-510
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos
Québec,
Canada
3.5 x 2.2 x .8 CM (miniature)
price: $220
Fall 2015
Green crystals of translucent Vesuvianite with zones of red-pink on some tips in a spray or treelike cluster. A nice, esthetic example - sadly with some tiny chips (not easily seen but they are there) that keeps the price low. A good, colorful display specimen from the best locale (Jeffrey Mine) that looks like it costs a lot more.