Rhodochrosite with Quartz
stock #10.1-194
Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co. Wuzoh Pref.
Guangxi Province,
China
2 x 1.6 x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $155
Spring 2020
Small, but very cute, cluster of sharp and slightly-etched Rhodochrosite rhombs. Several faces show complex stepped modifications that add extra pop. Aside from a tiny spray of Quartz crystals, there is no matrix, just Rhodochrosite. This thumbnail from an important find at Wuzoh in 2009, this was one of the last of this form, as most later pockets have more flattened and disk-like crystals. Nice color, form and presentation, if this was larger, it would be a very costly specimen!
Crocoite on Gibbsite
stock #20.1-214
Adelaide Mine Dundas Mineral Field, Zeehan District,West Coast Municipal
Tasmania,
Australia
9.5 x 6 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Spring 2020
Slender bright red-orange crystals of Crocoite rise above a contrasting white Gibbsite matrix. A choice specimen with most crystals in good shape, terminated and a few with hoppered form. Minimal damage as is almost inevitable with this sort of fine needles, but most is not visible by naked eye. From a 2014 pocket, this has the color and luster that is most desired, the needles are up to 1.6 CM.
Mimetite
stock #8.1-215
San Francisco Mine, Cucurpe
Sonora,
Mexico
6.8 x 5.9 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring 2020
An old Mimetite specimen from the famed San Francisco mine that is better known for exceptional Wulfenites. The crystals on this specimen are unusual in that they are elongated, standing hexagons that look more like a yellow Pyromorphite than the usual orange Mimetite balls. Overall in fine condition, examination by loupe finds very few tiny bruises mostly at the edges. Overall this is a a very well defined and esthetic Mimetite with what seems to be two different generations. The matrix is a solid and substantial "non crumbly" type unlike the matrix of most Wulfenites from here. This piece has Mimetite crystals on all sides the color ranges from greenish brown to mustard yellow, quite different from the orange Mimetite balls more often seen from this mine.
Chalcopyrite on Calcite
stock #16.1-480-(CN4124)
Concepcion del Oro
Zacatecas,
Mexico
9.7 x 7.4 x 6.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $880
Spring 2020
A large scalenohedral Calcite crystal is encrusted with Chalcopyrite crystals many of which are dusted with sparkling drusy Quartz. The Chalcopyrite is mostly coated with dark Bornite patina which makes a strong contrast as well. Aside from a few very small bruises the Chalcopyrite is in fine condition, has classic good form and overall is a very esthetic example from this famed locale. Ex Charles M Noll collection, I have never seen a better example from Concepcion del Oro, and this is a super esthetic Chalcopyrite from anyplace.
Cerussite -reticulated
stock #20.1-182
Nakhlak Mine, Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak Dist., Nain Co.
Esfahan Province,
Iran
4.3 x 3.9 x 3.7 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 2020
Interconnected reticulated twins of smokey color Cerussite showing fine classic form. The crystal twins are all in perfect parallel position and aligned in stacks showing the geometric precision of a snowflake. The Nakhlak Mine had a major find of Cerussites about 2 years ago, the better pieces showed this quality of form and condition. This is more or less a floater, complete on all sides, no real points of attachment. From many angles this is quite perfect, undamaged but on close inspection the backside and edge have some very minor contacts/chips best seen with magnification. Given how delicate the mineral is this is incredible. Until this find any Cerussite of this quality would be far more costly, easily in the 1-2K range, but enough were found that these are now very reasonable in costs while they last.
Amethyst
stock #17.1-101
Cerro de Concordia, Piedra Parada
Veracruz,
Mexico
9.4 x 7 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
A flowerlike arrangement of large, gem clear and perfectly undamaged crystals perched on matrix. The two largest crystals are sceptered, though that is best seen on the backside of this piece. The best specimens in this more recent find (2017) were sculptural and had great color, luster and form, somewhat differnt from previous discoveries in this zone yet still recognizable as clearly from Veracruz. This is such a recent piece, flawless and the overall esthetics are top percentile. The matrix has a nice dusting of drusy colorless Quartz on the front side which makes a nice contrast with the Amethyst.
Doubly terminated Quartz crystals with classic "Cumberland" form in a cluster dusted with small Hematite crystals. In incredible condition, this certainly looks like a superb vintage English specimen but it is much more unusual, being from Chubb Lake in Northern New York, USA. The locality has been closed for some years but during a brief period some amazing specimens were found. This habit was wrongly called "Beta Quartz" for a time and many old labels reflect that. This specimen has fine form, the crystals are undamaged, it is possible to see inside the Quartz through glassy faces to see dense inclusions. Not often available, this was in the William Hladysz collection.
Balydonite -classic locale
stock #0040-JM-135
Penberthy Croft Mine, St. Hillary
Cornwall,
England
8 x 6.7 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Spring 2020
A colorful and attractive very old Balydonite specimen from Cornwall with rich density. Ex Lechner collection (Austria) a mid to late 19th century collection that had also absorbed several earlier collections. The collection was dispursed in 1940-50 era. In 1969 sold to John Marshall via Schortmanns. This specimen is well over 100 years old, perhaps much older. The original label does not specify the mine but with the Lechner collection number (7132-13-23) it can be confirmed that this is in a sequence from the famed Penberthy Croft, and the habit etc is a perfect match for this location, which is also the type locality. The mine closed in 1840. There are several other species present that are not identified but what appears to be an area of Cornubite is noted as is some areas where the Balydonite has partly covered by a bluish-white mineral. Overall a choice classic example that has several possible display angles. Labels from Schortmann and Marshall are included.
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