Cinnabar- twinned crystal on Dolomite
stock #19.1-811
Tongren Mine, Wanshan District, Tongren Prefecture
Guizhou Province,
China
6.2 x 4.8 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
Spring 2020
A killer classic form of a "drill bit" twin crystal of Cinnabar stands out well on the Dolomite and Quartz matrix. In great condition, no damage and with bright luster, this glows a ruby red when backlit. The photos here do not have backlighting so the look is a bit darker but shows the twin form clearly. The Tongren Mine was a great locality for many years but is no longer producing. This piece is far better than average with a much larger than average crystal and very choice esthetics. At one time before China was opened for export of minerals a top Cinnabar like this was nearly impossible to obtain and close to priceless, being only available from museum collections. One of the great prizes in the mineral world, these are by far the best Cinnabars ever found and this is a super example.
Corundum- pale yellow Sapphire
stock #19.1-796
Mysore district
Karnataka,
India
3.6 x 1.3 x 1 CM (miniature)
price: $390
Spring 2020
A well formed pale yellow Sapphire crystal that is almost colorless with nice form and a sharp termination. The staggered growth steps on all six sides are very clear and distinct. This crystal is translucent and partly transparent with a very light frosting on the faces. A very nice textbook example of the specie from Mysore India, which is best known for Ruby Corundum, I have only ever seen a few non-red Corundum from this locality
Malachite - velvet luster stalactites
stock #AX-15-289
Shilu Mine, Yangchun County, Yangjiang
Guangdong Province,
China
5.9 x 4.3 x 4 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Spring 2020
A chantoyant "velvet" Malachite from the Shuli Mine, ex Shields and Frances Flynn collection. The Shuli Mine has on occasion produced some incredible Malachites that are rather like the best material from the Congo yet discernably different. Most good pieces tend to be large blocks, plates or masses, smaller cabinet specimens are quite uncommon. This is a perfectly complete undamaged early piece that is not huge and has the classic look of a fine Shuli Malachite.
A super single crystal thumbnail of red-orange Childrenite ex John Buckley Collection. This is translucent to transparent and has internal zoning. From a find many years ago at Mendes Pimental, there were very few found with this unusual color, it is possibly closer to the Eosphorite end of the series though the original testing called this Childrenite, we have not re analyzed this. Complete and well terminated, one part of the termination hosts a zone of tiny doubly terminated Quartz crystals which adds a nice contrast. No matter the specie this is a choice colorful example of both ends of the series.
SOLD Pyromorphite
stock #SOLD 19.1-057
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
10 x 6.4 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Spring 2020
A sizable, deep green color Pyromorphite from the modern classic locale of Daoping. From the now famous finds that started in 2000, this is an older specimen of a style that is no longer being found. This habit came from the lower adits that have been closed for a while, some newer specimens come from the upper areas but most recent finds are altered to Plumbogummite. In fine condition, the only damage is a few chipped crystals on the outer edges, but the rest of the specimen is in fine condition and has bright wet-look luster. The deep forest green color is not seen in recent finds, this is a choice example of what was probably the greatest Pyromorphite discovery of all time. Better in person.
Andradite- Ex Carter Rich
stock #16.1-126
Nance Pegmatite mine, Moneta Forest, Bedford County
Virginia,
United States
3.2 x 3.6 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 2020
A single crystal of Andradite Garnet from this little known Virginia locality. Ex Carter Rich specimen, it is rare to see any good pegmatite specimens from this area of Virginia. The crystal is about 70% complete, there is a contact area on one edge and backside but from the front side most faces are sharp and show good form. Cater had offered this specimen for sale in 2009 for 550.00 he considered it significant.
A fine old Cornish specimen with a large spray of Torbernite (4 CM across) nicely perched on matrix. Great history with previous owners Hugh Ford, J. Cilen, Larry Conklin and John H. Marshall collections. This was advertised for sale by Larry Conklin for 250.00 fourty years ago. The specimen is certainly older than these collections (the Ford Label can be dated between 1946-1957). This mine dates back to the 1500 era as a copper mine later worked for Tungsten. Many other species were found there in later years including a few fine Torbernites many of the best can be seen in the British Museum. This piece is quite choice.
Spangolite with Brochantite, Barite etc
stock #19.1-450
Blanchard Mine, Bingham, Hansonburg District, Socorro County
New Mexico,
United States
8.2 x 6.3 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $140
Spring 2020
A complex specimen with a mix of bright blue Spangolite crystals in several patches mixed with Brochantites. The Spangolites are sharp and gemmy under good magnification, the matrix is quite colorful and more rich than typical from this great USA locality. Typically Spangolite is a micro mineral in most collections, this has enough good coverage to be visible by naked eye but certainly far more beautiful under magnification.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
