Babingtonite - classic USA
stock #9.1-292
Lane Quarry, Westfield, Hampden Co.
Massachusetts,
United States
5.8 x 3.8 3.6 CM x (cabinet)
price: $550
new year 2021
A remarkable tree-like cluster of well formed fairly lustrous and distinct Babingtonite crystals on a sliver of matrix. From the Lane Quarry of Westfield, Massachusetts found a few decades ago, this locality was at the time famed for the world's best Babingtonites. The more recent discovery of superb Babingtonites from China since took the title of world's best for the specie but those are very different in habit. The old classic US specimens are unique and still prized in collections as they are more rare and have an immediately recognized look very different from the Chinese specimens. This piece is very fine for the locale and is in fine condition overall with crystals to about 1 CM. Almost impossible to find for sale today in any quality, this one is unusually choice.
Mimetite var. Campylite
stock #17.1-555
Dry Gill Mine, Caldbeck Fells
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
6 x 4.8 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
new year 2021
A cluster of red to brown barrel shaped crystals surrounded by Quartz and a few tiny yellow needles of Mimetite. Classic English specimen this was collected in 1974 by Les Hitchings. Les was a fireman based in Massachusetts, USA, who took his work vacations seriously and made several trips to dig in the UK. His label is enclosed. The form is distinct and the condition is good with some small rough areas as seen. A nice example that looks like one of the very old finds.
Brochantite - exceptional large crystals
stock #AC-373
Chuquicamata Mine, Calama, El Loa Province
Antofagasta Region,
Chile
5.6 x 2.5 x 1.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $4500
new year 2021
An extraordinary and important old specimen of Brochantite from Chuquicamata, Ex Schortmann's and Immer Cook collection. The original label dates this to 1948-52, and by far it the best specimen I know of from this famed mine. This is certainly a serious contender for the best of specie outside of the 2016 Milpillas find. Even compared to the Mexican specimens this is a very significant stout cluster. The largest crystal is huge, 4.6 CM tall and quite thick. Close exam of the specimen finds a few slender needle crystals which are more typical of the specie. Under good magnification (40x) a few specks of blue that can be Krohnkite, Bellingerite or Aubertite etc are visible. There are areas of contacting making some rough edges but very little damage. A world class Copper secondary specimen.
SOLD Petzite with Gold etc.
stock #SOLD 8.1-260
#5 Level, Rex Mine, Gold Hill District, Boulder County
Colorado,
United States
3.8 x 2.6 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $0
new year 2021
A very rich small specimen of this rare Gold Telluride from Boulder County, Colorado. The Petzite here is in metallic masses and almost half of the specimen is Petzite. The remaining matrix is quite rich in tiny, bright specks of gold seen well under magnification. Two additional areas of golden massive mineral appears to be Coloradoite (not x-rayed but this was a common association and the visual match is very good). I can not find any clearly crystalized Hessite on this piece though a few spots at 20X look like crude crystal faces. A good sized (13.8 grams) and quite rich mass of this rare Gold Telluride from a classic USA locality.
Andradite and Quartz on Hedenbergite
stock #19.1-559
Serifos Island, Cyclade Islands
South Aegean,
Greece
5.7 x 3.8 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $975
new year 2021
Outstanding and unique esthetics, a super combination specimen from this classic locale, Serifos Island. Slender doubly terminated branching Quartz crystals sprout from Garnet crystals that are perched on Hedenbergite. In exceptional condition this is impressive from every angle. Hard to describe but the photos give a good idea of the arrangement. There is no damage which is just incredible for such a delicate piece.
Tourmaline (Elbaite- Liddicoatite series)
stock #9.1-371
Nujiang Valley (Gaoligong Mountains/ Gaoligongshan), Nujiang
Yunnan Province,
China
4.4 x 3 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $80
new year 2021
From a find about 12 years ago in Yunnan Province, China. Pink Tourmalines with redder caps that came from the pegmatites of Gaoligong Shan is what seems to have been a mix of Elbaite and Liddiacoatite perhaps in zones. This piece shows the typical morphology of the find and has a nice bubble-gum color. The outer edges have contacts and chipping but there are several complete terminated crystals with no damage, the largest being 1 cm tall.
Fluorite - penetration twins
stock #15.1-546
Blackdene Mine, Weardale
County Durham,
England
4.4 x 3.4 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $110
new year 2021
Light purple Fluorites with penetration twinning on miniature matrix. Vivid fluorescence which is typical for Fluorite from this region, and some fluorescence in daylight as well. The Fluorites are transparent and have a deeper purple core. Classic habit and in very good condition, these were found for many decades, and are unlike Fluorite from any place else.
Pyrite and Hematite - classic locale
stock #17.1-608
Elba Island, Livorno Province
Tuscany,
Italy
6.6 x 4 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $190
new year 2021
An open vug or pocket lined with Hematite blades that are the matrix for several Pyrite crystals in Pyritohedal form. Classic Elba specimen that shows well the contrast between the two species and the crystal habit that is famed from Elba. This is an older piece with the Pyrite having maintained very good luster.
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