Quartz V. Amethyst - multiple terminations
stock #17.1-845
Mule Creek, Steeple Rock district, Grant County
New Mexico,
United States
8 x 1.9 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $140
Worldwide mix summer
An unusual and esthetic pale Amethyst that is scepter-like but with ten terminations on the cap. Some colorless secondary growths are evident and the condition is quite choice, the only damage is at the bottom or base where this wqas removed. Collected some decades ago by Paul Yung, this is a clean, odd but attractive US Quartz. The color is a little deeper in person.
Beudantite
stock #18.1-289
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
3.1 x 2.9 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $180
Worldwide mix summer
Densely crystallized Beudantite covers the surface of this matrix. The crystals are very sharp, lustrous and translucent to transparent. In fine condition, a choice large thumbnail from Tsumeb the matrix has a tiny dusting of Arsentsumebite as well.
Arsenopyrite etc.
stock #8.1-170
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.1 x 6 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
Worldwide mix summer
A very unusual style of Arsenopyrite from the famed Yaogangxian mine. A small amount of Muscovite matrix and associations of Fluorite (small clear purple crystals), Quartz and Calcite are typical in these multi specie specimens, but by far the majority is Arsenopyrite. Unlike the usual silver color, this has the bronze-golden hue that was only found in one zone about 15 years ago. Chipping and bruising on the outer edges is clearly seen but all the main crystals are intact and very sharp. As well as the unusual color, several crystals have unusual habits although most of the largest crystals are more usual forms most of which are in parallel position. Despite the edge damage this is a choice piece.
Barite-Classic locale
stock #15.1-171
Florence Mine, Egremont
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
8.3 x 5.3 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Worldwide mix summer
Fine, classic Barite (Baryte) with color zoned crystals that are also transparent, lustrous and doubly terminated. From the Florence Mine in the Frizington area, the matrix is distinctive Dolomite with Hematite coloring in some areas. This has the classic form from the Frizington area, but is by far the most attractive Barite I have seen from the Florence mine, a location better known for Hematite, Fluorite and Quartz. The Barites are in remarkable condition for such delicate, slender crystals which are free standing on the matrix. These crystals have quite small connection points and have zoned red phantoms.
An early find Chinese Rhodo with a deep rich red color set on a mix of Sulphides including Galena, Acanthite and Sphalerite. The early finds of Rhodochrosites from this region were associated with Silver minerals and sometimes native Silver as well. Later finds were much larger but did not have any Silver species. This has a good amount of Acanthite (Silver Sulphide) crystals and Silver rich Galena with melted look. The contrast is excellent and the Rhodochrosite crystals reach 2.9 CM. No more Rhodos are being found and this is a choice example of the earliest type from the upper zones.
Cerussite -fine silky luster.
stock #AX-18-051
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
5.7 x 4.3 x 3.2 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $450
Worldwide mix summer
A remarkable and fine Cerussite from Touissit with at least 3 generations of crystals and no matrix. The largest are the silky type twins that are optically transparent from some angles and almost opaque from others as they have a "cats eye effect". These contrast with both a black drusy (heavily included by Galena) and small colorless Cerussites. Remarkably this is fully undamaged and pristine from all angles. Touissit is sadly long closed but did in its day produce some of the world's best Lead secondary minerals and a few of these unique silky luster Cerussites. This is a very choice example from any angle, and better in person.
Fluor-Buergerite -type locality
stock #18.1-291
Mexquitic
San Luis Potosi,
Mexico
1.5 x 1.2 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $390
Worldwide mix summer
Unusually well formed thumbnail of the rare Tourmaline specie Fluor-Buergerite from the type locality. These were found just once in the 1960 era and not since. This main crystal at 1.2 CM is very large for the specie and especially choice. Chocolate brown and in excellent condition, this has a very attractive arrangement with a cluster of smaller crystals and a tiny matrix. Formerly named Beurgerite, this is not often available and very rarely in such a sharp, textbook form.
Quartz v. Herkimer
stock #18.1-292
Middleville, Herkimer County
New York,
United States
8.3 x 6 x 7.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
Worldwide mix summer
A blocky matrix with druzy Quartz hosting several very clear, undamaged Herkimer type Quartz. The diamonds are mostly colorless but a few are the golden type, and all are very clear and lustrous. The largest crystal has a very big internal bubble cavity that holds unusual worm like petroleum inclusions. These are vividly fluorescent and have three distinct colors. A fine and impressive cabinet piece that is especially interesting under the microscope.