Pectolite - fine prismatic crystals
stock #AX-16-489
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.3 x 3.8 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $520
Pre Tucson
An especially well-formed cluster of prismatic, doubly terminated crystals of Pectolite from the great find more than 25 years ago at the Jeffrey Mine of Quebec. Pectolite is only rarely found in prismatic crystals like this, it is typically in spheres or thin radiating needles. Worldwide only the Jeffrey Mine and the Poudrette Quarry (both in Quebec, Canada) ever produced crystals of this sort. Pectolite is a Calcium analog of Serandite, which is also a Canadian specialty. These crystals are in a jackstraw arrangement and transparent on edges, lustrous and have a light milky color. In excellent condition, the form is classic for the Jeffrey Mine, this style has never been found anyplace else on earth, and is a rare crystalized representation of this specie.
A fine and esthetic old German Galena ex John H. Marshall and also Ernie Schlichter. The region of Bad Ems has at least 6 old mines most of which were prolific producers of fine Lead secondary minerals, most classically Pyromorphites. Oddly, good Galena specimens are quite rare, it was after all the main ore. The habit of these crystals is a good match to a few specimens known from the Mercur and the Neuhoffnung mines, but we do not have confirmation as to the exact mine. Never the less the specimen is in great condition as seen the crystals the cube modified by octahedron, have great patina and reach 2.3 CM in size.
Cerussite - fine twinned crystals
stock #22.1-173
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
4.3 x 3.8 x 2.4 CM (miniature)
price: $2200
Pre Tucson
Even though Tsumeb produced many good Cerussites, it is very rare to find a perfect, complete floater twin like this. No damage and with classic form, the crystals also show a rather unusual etching across the broad faces that makes very intricate striations. Not at all a typical twin this has some minor color zoning as well. Silky luster and textbook perfect, even better in person.
Cubanite - conjoined sixling twin
stock #AX-24-531
Henderson Number 2, Chibougamau
Quebec,
Canada
2.5 x 1.8 x .6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $950
Pre Tucson
Super sharp and lustrous golden metallic Cubanite twins in a complete asymmetric spray. From the remote Henderson number 2 Mine, vintage 1996. The Cubanites from this mine are far and away the best in the world, sadly this was the last find. There have been no more for over 25 years. Cubanite is a fragile specie, these undamaged twins are very rare. This one is exceptional with complete edges. It may look in the photos like the edges are contacted or broken but in person they are complete and crystalized all around. The radiating crystals have the classic sixling habit that is so distinctive of this specie at this location. There are not many nice ones for sale today, this is a rare "reasonable" price thumbnail that is also much prettier in person.
Flourite - elongated Sspinel twin, multi color
stock #23.1-223
Hohenstein Massif, Omaruru District
Erongo Region,
Namibia
3.3 x 1.6 x .8 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $600
Pre Tucson
A textbook perfect spinel-twin crystal of Fluorite with amazing internal colors. From the find three years ago in the Erongos, this is a killer thumbnail to toenail specimen that looks fine on all sides. In excellent undamaged condition there is a small Schorl crystal jutting off the side as well. As was typical of this unusual find, some faces are quite smooth and transparent while others are frosted and more translucent. The internals in this are much like strings of color, yellow, orange, purple and a hint of red. Fluorite is by far the most collected mineral specie in the world, this piece shows why, it is colorful, strange and pretty.
Unusually sharp, lustrous (for Columbite) and perfectly terminated, this is a choice single crystal of the specie. Ex University of Delaware Museum, the condition is outstanding especially given the fragility of Columbite. A heavy piece (just over 74 grams despite the small size), a textbook perfect example from the Brazilian pegmatites of Rio Doce.
Adamite - classic pinwheel clusters
stock #9.1-018
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
4.5 x 3.8 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Pre Tucson
Very fine light yellow-green crystals of Adamite arranged in the "pinwheel" type of radiating spray. A choice miniature in excellent undamaged condition from the classic finds about 20 years ago at Mina Ojuela. Good Mexican Adamites were once rather plentiful but this quality and form were never common. These are now quite hard to find and this is an especially elegant and esthetic piece. The radiating sprays exceed 2 CM across, these contrast with the gossan matrix. Displays well from most any angle, and the matrix is not the ultra fragile, crumbly type.
Native Mercury - German classic
stock #23.FC-058
Moschellandsberg, Nordpfalzer, Donnersberg District
Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany
2.7 x 1.7 x 1.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $1450
Early summer 2023
A super rich specimen of Mercury in a cluster of globules on matrix. The Mercury is trapped in vugs and held by surface tension. The size of the Mercury is remarkable, unlike the tiny balls usually seen this can be seen by naked eye even quite far away. From the very ancient mines of Landsberg (Bavaria, Germany) that began in 1440 and worked until 1942, This is the most Mercury I have seen on a single specimen. The matrix seems to be a mixture of massive Cinnabar and or Metacinnabar. Very tiny micro-crystals of Calomel are noted and in a very tiny vug what seems to be Moschellandsbergite. The main attraction though is a series of globs of silvery Mercury. A fine vintage specimen and a excellent native metal piece.
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