Quartz on Chrysocolla Pseudomorphs
stock #18.1-130
Inca De Oro, Chanaral
Atacama Region,
Chile
9.1 x 6.8 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Spring update
Brilliant sparkling blue Chrysocolla overgrown by gem clear druzy Quartz. The Chrysocolla has replaced earlier acicular crystals of Malachite. The individual needles reach 1.5 CM A single broken needle off to the side seems to show a core of Dioptase but we are told these are in fact Malachite, the core area is rather gemmy and very bright. No matter what the original material this is very esthetic and totally different from any other Chrysocolla. An attractive, intriguing and unique Copper specimen!
Fluorite - gem-clear tabular habit
stock #18.1-140
Cantera Llamas, Duyos, Caravia
Asturias,
Spain
3.7 x 2.7 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $290
Spring update
A super toenail sized Fluorite with a very fine flattened cube form and top clarity. From the small but important Llamas Quarry in Northern Spain, this is in pristine condition. The matrix is a mass of small crystals of Fluorite all showing the elongations and beveled edges that are classic for this area. Choice.
Adamite- gemmy crystals on gossan
stock #18.1-139
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
7.8 x 5.8 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Spring update
A pretty and unusual Adamite from 1960 vintage finds at Mina Ojuela. There are two generations of well crystallized Adamite on matrix, the first is a light green to lemon yellow chisel-tipped type, the second is colorless to white. Bright and vividly sparkling in person, the luster and quality are impressive. More recent specimens have a very different look. Very strong fluorescence as well, this has far better esthetics than typical Mexican Adamite.
Grossular (pink) w. Diopside
stock #AX-16-576
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.9 x 2.5 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $950
Spring update
One of the rarest colors of Grossular from Jeffrey is pink, and especially desirable is on a contrasting green Diopside. Far above average size for the main crystal at 1.2 CM and gemmy. Sharp edges and bright luster make this especially attractive. There are some contacts and chips mostly on smaller crystals but these are not easily seen. This also keeps the cost far below the usual level for a Jeffrey pink. This could be trimmed to a very fine thumbnail if desired.
Complete and with great color, the larger Apatite is 8.5 CM tall, with wonderful etching. This is the best specimen I have seen of this sort, for size, color and esthetics, it is really striking. These Apatites have transparent areas and deep blue green hue. The "melted" look is typical from this region and often seem in Apatites in Metamorphic host rocks (Marble Skarns especially). As a display piece the luster, contrast with the matrix and unusual architecture gives this specimen a very fine appearance. Both of the prominent crystals are doubly terminated as well. Our notes mention a repair reattaching the large crystal, there is no damage at all and the repair seems well done.
Manganocalcite- pagoda style
stock #AX-15-104
Manoshan Mine, Dongpo, Suxian District, Chenzoh area
Hunan Province,
China
10 x 9.1 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Spring update
Pagoda style calcite towers formed of stacked flat disklike rhombs. The color is a pale pink and the Calcite has a vivid red Fluorescence. Very sharp and undamaged on the display face, broken on the back underside where it was removed. An older specimen ex Shields Flynn collection, from a 2004 find. In this fine condition, these are very uncommon, and very esthetic in any sort of display.
Quartz on Rhodochrosite on Calcite
stock #AX-10-482
Los Remidios Mine, Level 4, Taxco
Guerrero,
Mexico
10.8 x 7.1 x 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $375
Spring update
A bright, sparkling old Mexican Rhodo with Scalenohedra that are covered by clear tiny quartz crystals that add a bright luster. The rich pink color of the Rhodocrosite is clearly seen through the druzy Quartz. Some typical sulfides make up the rest of the matrix, the dark colors adding contrast. In very good condition, a few old breaks are noted and seem at least partly rehealed, however as seen this is still a very fine display piece.
Quartz- Tabular Faden habit
stock #AX-25-030
Waziristan Ophiolite, North Waziristan
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
5.3 x 2.4 x .4 CM (cabinet)
price: $150
Spring update
A perfect "floater" that is crystallized all around and is remarkable, in perfect undamaged condition. From the finds in 2014 in Waziristan that produced some of the best Fadens ever found. This is a textbook example, fully transparent with bright luster and sharp edges. The Faden or string inside is distinct, bright and clear see from any angle. We have seen and handled many from these finds, undamaged floaters with such sharp details were very few.