A superb cluster of gemmy Celestite crystals encrusting a Sulphur matrix which adds a bright yellow between the smaller Celestites. In perfect condition all around, which is impressive with such delicate form and fine slender crystals. From the famed Sulfur deposits in Agrigento, Sicily, a choice Celestite from anyplace, this is so bright it is hard to capture in photos. Top glassy luster and presentation, this is a specimen that looks great from all angles and has a great impact for its size.
Krohnkite
stock #20.1-818
Chuquicamata Mine, Calama, El Loa Province
Antofagasta Region,
Chile
5.6 x 4 x 2.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $190
new year 2021
Bright blue to blue green masses of glassy Krohnkite from the type locality at Chuquicamata. A very colorful and rare mineral, this Copper Sulfate was only found in display grade specimens long ago. From every other locality worldwide I am unaware of any specimens over a few millimeters in size. This specimen is rich and colorful on all sides, there are no distinct crystals just masses and seams of Krohnkite.
Epidote - stacked crystal group
stock #10.1-316
San Quintin, Municipio de Ensenada
Baja California,
Mexico
3.3 x 2.5 x 1.9 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $200
new year 2021
A row of sharply terminated Epidote crystals are aligned in an epitaxial arrangement. From an old find at San Quintin in the Baja California region of Mexico, this comes from the remarkable Ernie Schlichter collection. Crystal faces alternate from highly lustrous and glassy to a more matte and frosted look. In very good condition damage-wise, just a few clean contacts and very tiny edge wear. Overall the form is a textbook fine arrangement and has a distinctive architecture. Nice example for the locality and a fine toenail of Epidote from any place.
Pyrargyrite - German classic, 1860 vintage
stock #AX-24-514
Sampson Mine, St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains
Lower Saxony,
Germany
9.3 x 5.2 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $2950
new year 2021
A superb cabinet sized display specimen of Pyrargyrite crystals in clusters on all sides of the matrix. An antique specimen of "Ruby Silver" from the Sampson Mine in the legendary St. Andreasberg area of the Harz mountains. Most crystals are very lustrous, sharp and show several typical habits. The Pyrargyrite is in both clusters and as isolated prisms, many showing the hexagonal cross section. In excellent condition, the color is however the typical dark silvery black of antique German specimens of this vintage, though with very strong light some of the red color highlights can still be seen. This specimen despite being in collections for over a century and half is in very fine undamaged condition. Ex. Bernbach collection, this is a better in person and certainly the best classic locale Pyrargyrite we have ever offered online.
Zaratite and Chromite - vintage, classic USA
stock #AX-35-164-(1525)
Texas, State Line Chromite Mining District, Lancaster County
Pennsylvania,
United States
4.6 x 4.2 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $280
new year 2021
A fine old "Emerald Nickel" specimen of what was long known as Zaratite, a rare but uncertain composition mineral that may be a mixture and needs more study. This piece from the Wallace G. Levison collection obtained by him in 1895. This also has a rare type of Levison label being fully handwritten and not pre-printed. The specimen clearly shows several shades of green in crusts and tiny transparent blobs. Levison give the locality as the Wheatley Mine in Texas, Pennsylvania but that mine name is likely an error, although this did certainly come from the Texas area in the State Line Chromite Mining district of Lancaster County. A classic and colorful vintage specimen of material that is not often available on the market.
Barite (Baryte) - classic British locale
stock #15.1-671
Frizington, West Cumberland Iron Field
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
4.6 x 1.4 x 1.1 CM (miniature)
price: $120
new year 2021
From the classic locality of Frizington, this Barite is a cluster of prisms in parallel position that together form a single elongated crystal. The color is a light yellow but with backlighting is more green. The luster is silky to glassy and the termination is actually many separate, sharp points in a group. From the Dr. Warren Johannson collection obtained before 1940, a nice example of this form and style. in very good condition, complete all around, a British classic from the famed Cumberland Iron Fields with distinctive inclusions of Hematite.
Fluorite included by Boulangerite
stock #8.1-164
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.2 x 5.9 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $470
new year 2021
A dark purple cluster of Fluorite cubes with slightly rounded faces that are thickly packed with masses of Boulangerite hairs. In many places the Boulangerite is protruding from the Fluorite making complex nests of metallic wire-like crystals. The specimen is an older (2004) vintage piece from Yaogangxian and is a super example of this association. The Fluorite is transparent to translucent and with magnification the Boulangerite inside the crystals is seen as straight hairs, curved wires and coiled spirals, loops and rings. This find of included Fluorite was remarkable and this specimen is a superb, large example. The specimen is a mix of larger cubes up to 2.5 CM to masses of tiny curved cubes in clusters.
Scheelite with Calcite
stock #16.1-395-(CN3488)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.4 x 5.1 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
new year 2021
A very fine Scheelite from the famed Yaogangxian Mine, ex Charles M. Noll collection. The Scheelite is very sharp and glassy, very large for this locality, and has a color that looks like a brown stout or root beer hue in reflected light. When backlit with a strong light source the color is more reddish-purple. Transparent on the edges but translucent overall the Calcite adds a very nice accent. The bottom of the piece is broken where it was attached but some of that area is recrystallized. Fine luster and great striations on the glassy faces help set this piece apart. From the "golden years" at Yaogangxian this is really fine for the locale and a choice dark Scheelite from any place.
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