Calcite on Hemimorphite
stock #AX-12-178
Santa Eulalia, Aquiles Serdan
Chihuahua,
Mexico
11.6 x 2.3 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1100
Early summer 2021
A most unusual form and combination. This transparent to translucent Calcite crystal is gemmy and twinned. It is perched on a finger-like shaft, covered with hundred of tiny Hemimorphite blades and also small Calcite crystals. The association and form of this structure is very odd; this was found in the 1970's. The Calcite is complete except for a cleave on the back left side that is not seen on display. Due to that cleave this is not a specimen for the ultra perfectionists, but is incredible for the locality and a very choice display piece presenting an exotic form.
Mimetite with Wulfenite and Calcite
stock #15.1-536
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
10.3 x 5.8 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Early summer 2021
Green botryoidal Mimetite is decorated with a few blocky orange-yellow Wulfenites in an open seam. A choice example of this habit and association from Mina Ojuela (Mexico) from the earlier finds in the late 1970's. The matrix is a spongy microcrystaline Mimetite / Wulfenite as well, but outside of the open cavity the color is a less attractive brown and more dull luster. The seam also holds a few Calcite crystals in flattened rhomb form as well. Green Mimetite in this form is somewhat less common than the yellow worldwide.
Calcite - classic Spanish locale
stock #17.1-800
La Union Mine, Sierra de Cartagena
Murcia,
Spain
7.1 x 6.3 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Early summer 2021
A fine Calcite from anyplace and for this locale superb in esthetics, quality and condition. La Union is a very old Silver mining zone. It was the source of much of the Silver in Roman times. As a mineral locale this is well-known for excellent Barites, Cronstedtites and several good Lead and Zinc minerals. Calcites are not often seen as very attractive pieces, this one is however exceptional. No eye visible damage, all the crystals even at the edges are complete and perfectly intact. Many are doubly terminated as well. There are some crystals with a subtle coloring of golden brown presumably from the Hematite included in those.
Sphalerite (Cleiophane) and Galena on Quartz
stock #13.1-158
September 9th Mine, Madan Ore field, Rhodope Mts.
Smolyan Oblast,
Bulgaria
11.8 x 8.2 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Early summer 2021
A very fine cabinet display specimen of gemmy yellow to dark green Sphalerite crystals on a contrasting drusy Quartz boxwork matrix. The Quartz druse sprinkled with cubes of Galena some of which have grown next to the Spahlerites. A classic association from the Madan area of Bulgaria, this is much better than most and in excellent condition. This presents the majority of the Cleiophane (gemmy Sphalerites) in a chain like cluster. These photos are not backlit but with a good light behind the Sphalerites they glow a vivid bright yellow-green which is fantastic in person.
Pyrite - elongated stalactitic ps. Marcasite
stock #AX-19-147
Buick Mine, Bixby, Vibernum Trend, Iron County
Missouri,
United States
7.8 x 1.3 x .8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
A mineral oddity and a choice example of this rare form. Pyrite has formed over a former Marcasite stalactite and is an elongated, slender cube. The central canal hole is visible at the base and the whole piece is complete and terminated. Previously labeled as from Joplin, Misouri, this is quite certainly from the well-known Buick Mine in Iron County some distance away. The cross section of the piece is square and the whole thing is based on an elongated cube form. In excellent condition there is a little overgrowth of later Marcasite on the outside. The luster and color are also good, a bright metallic golden with some silvery spots.
Zircon
stock #8.1-461
Chilas Valley
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
6.6 x 4.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Early summer 2021
A big 3.6 CM Zircon crystal is perched on a hard matrix. Most faces are rather lustrous, sharp and the crystal is unusually large. There is contacting on the back and some edges, so this is not a perfect textbook form, but this still presents well and is impressive. There are transparent and translucent areas and has a good UV florescence. The red color in some areas is very well pronounced. From a find over a decade ago.
Violet crystals of Fluorite with complex rounded faces most of which are on and included by Schorl crystals. A scattering of small Quartz and Goshenite. In excellent condition, bright and lustrous, the Fluorites have color zoning in areas with a darker red-purple and these all glow with any backlighting. A clean and attractive Erongo piece that can be displayed from almost any angle.
Fluorite with Quartz casts after Calcite
stock #6.2-610
Dongpo Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzohou prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
8.8 x 5.3 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Early summer 2021
Very odd yet attractive specimen of two Fluorite crystals that are both pierced by scalenohedral holes in the shape of former Calcite crystals. The cavities are filled with drusy Quartz crystals that sparkle and contrast with the green Fluorite. An unusual Fluorite from the Dongpo Mine, this has 2 larger and 3 smaller casts inside the Fluorite cubes. A nice piece for those who enjoy oddities.
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