Grossular var. Hessonite (classic locale)
stock #21.1-198
Ala Valley, Lanzo Valley, Turin
Piedmont,
Italy
5.8 x 3.4 x 1.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Early summer 2021
A plate of highly lustrous Garnets from the famed Ala Valley. The color and transparency of these Grossular is outstanding. There are several larger, more isolated crystals that are set in a matrix of much smaller Grossular. The larger crystals reach 1 CM and glow a vivid red when backlit. In normal lighting the color is darker red as seen in the photos. This is a particularly rich piece with a fine color and dense coverage of bright sparkling Garnet. Overall in very good condition, some rough spots are seen with magnification but these are very minor and almost invisible in the context of the piece. Far better than average esthetics and visual impact from the Piedmont region.
A super small cabinet specimen of a very sharp single Amethyst crystal on contrasting matrix. From the Veracruz finds at Piedra Parada which have been a fantastic source of beautiful yet affordable Amethyst. In perfect condition, the Amethyst is a deeper purple at the base and is lighter in color at the termination. It is also doubly terminated (part of the lower termination is in the matrix) and a small extension at the lower termination makes this technically a scepter though it is not obvious. The Amethyst is firmly attached to the matrix but only at a tiny point. It is clear from this why so few larger crystals in this area are still on matrix. The matrix is a drusy quartz with a yellow to greenish hue. The rich color and sparkle are hard to capture but they are better in person.
Arsenopyrite - iridescent crystals
stock #8.1-238
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.3 x 4.6 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Early summer 2021
Large and lustrous, the Arsenopyrite crystals here have a golden patina on the broad faces and a bright silvery color on the narrow faces. The golden faces have a color play in the patina and are especially attractive. The facing side of the specimen is in great condition. Part of the sides have contacts and there are saw marks on the back as well. None of those distractions are visible in a normal display. This presents deep striations and classic habit, the bigger crystals are over 4 CM and very clearly defined. Tiny bits of Quartz and Fluorite are also present. An older specimen (2008) from the great Yaogangxian.
Molybdenite - rosette habit, unusual locale
stock #20.1-081
Tanyang-gun,
Chungcheongbukdo,
South Korea
3.2 x 2.1 x 1.1 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $260
Early summer 2021
A lovely old thumbnail sized Molybdenite with nice form and luster. From the Pat Barker collection, Pat lived for several years in Korea decades ago and was active in field collecting at that time. The Tanyang Mine is listed in Mindat but Molybenite is not noted from this locale. We feel comfortable with this locality attribution as Pat was a detailed and careful collector and was diligent in documentation. In very good condition.
Cyanotrichite
stock #0014-JM-1551
Peacock Mine, Leadore Mining District, Lemhi County
Idaho,
United States
8.5 x 7.3 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
Rich, bright vivid blue Cyanotrichite covers the display surface of the specimen. An older piece, ex John Marshall collection, and before that from the remarkable collection of Gunnar Bjarby and also David Garske. Five old labels are included. While the druse of Cyanotrichite is composed of very tiny crystals and spherical clusters, the dense coverage is impressive by naked eye. The back side of this piece also has a fair sized area of Cyanotrichite and old labels, collection numbers etc. A rich piece for a lesser known but still classic US locale.
Malachite - Crystals and Botryoidal forms
stock #10.1-500
Katanga, Central Area, Katanga Copper zone
Shaba,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8.3 x 6.2 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Early summer 2021
A classic from Katanga, this is a two sided specimen. One side is composed of sharp radiating fibrous crystals topped by a pair of Malachite balls. The other side is all botryoidal with some distinct chatoyance caused by the balls being composed of fibrous crystals. Excellent condition, color, form and luster. The Shaba Crescent was the source of much outstanding Malachite and these are still very reasonably priced, one of the mineral world's best bargains. In person the color is a bit deeper, darker and the shimmering luster is almost impossible to appreciate in a photo.
Barite (Baryte) on Quartz
stock #6.2-178
Jinkouhe District, Leshan Prefecture
Sichuan Province,
China
8.1 x 5.8 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Early summer 2021
Blue blocky habit Barite crystals on snow white Quartz from older finds at Jinkouhe in Sichuan Province, China. The main crystal is fully transparent, sharp, and has faint phantoms. This is a hefty 2 CM thick and the wide faces are glassy with bright luster while the edge faces are slightly frosted. Nice contrast with the matrix and prettier in person. In very good condition there are only small minor contacts on the main crystal, the quartz is in fine condition and the smaller Barite crystal has a contact area not seen on display as well as a recrystallized edge. This is about as perfect as we can hope for and the piece displays well from most any side. These were common about 15 years ago but are now very uncommon, it seems this is no longer a producing area.
Celestite (Barian Celestine)
stock #AC-313
Girgenti
Sicily,
Italy
9.7 x 7.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
Early summer 2021
A beautiful glassy spray of powder blue crystals radiating upward from a massive base. This is a very old specimen from the classic Sulfur locality that has been mined for many centuries. This type of Celestite with the blue color has sometimes been labeled as Barite but often on analysis is found to be Celestite with some Barium. The piece is attractive despite chips and damage to a few crystals. Very uncommon to find material this attractive on the market, the blue color is especially desirable.
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