Stibnite
stock #A7-531-(698)
Grosseto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
5 x 4.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $260
A nice Italian Stibnite from Grosseto, with a great gunmetal silver luster. Crystals up to 3 CM long are in sprays on a dark sulfide matrix. Our labels from previous collections do not list the mine but this is a very good match for the Pereta mine in Scansano. Mostly undamaged showing a variety of terminations, some minor damage is noted but not easily noticed. Ex Larry White collection 1960's vintage but likely collected long before then. This is much nicer in person
A nice small cabinet piece with well defined yellow ("chrome") Cerussites from finds before 2002 at Daoping. A nice addition is micro areas of Caledonite and Linarite. With magnification some Linarite is seen included in the Cerussite. This mine is world famous for its Pyromorphites and a few other Lead secondary minerals, but it is much less known for its copper secondaries. This fine example combines both elements.
At last, something really new, pretty and quite different from the Deccan Plateau of India! A very few of these were presented in the Fall Denver show, but the dealers who had them did not agree on the exact location and the prices were often very high. It was a short lived sensation as all were sold quickly. This example is above average quality, with crystals to 2.8 CM, bi-colored both a deep apple green and a brown to purple-red. Nice contrast with the matrix and in perfect condition too. The location listed by one dealer is Shiurampur and for now I will use that information pending a verification. A nice addition for any Zeolite or Indian mineral collection!
Elbaite (very unusual form)
stock #A7-253-(263)
Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill,Mesa Grande District, San Diego County
California,
United States
5.8 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1750
Spring 2014
A remarkably formed Elbaite "lollypop tourmaline" from early mining at the Himalaya (San Diego CA). Ex Larry White collection, this is said to be an illustrated/ published specimen in both a pen and ink drawing illustration and a black and white photo, but I do not know where this was published. If anyone knows I would love to find out. The piece is formed of 2 complete crystals that grew flat on a matrix (they are undamaged but the entire backside is a natural contact) to form an esthetic sculpture. The top crystal termination faces forward perched in notch atop a pink and green stalk. Resembling a stop sign or a lollypop this is clearly a very different arrangement! Good color with gemmy areas, nice luster and with a form that will stand out even in a crowded collection of tourmaline.
Apatite CaF
stock #13.1-162
Anemzi Village, Midelt Province
High Atlas,
Morocco
6.5 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $925
Spring 2014
From a new small find about 60KM from Imilchil this was my selection as the very best specimen. Fine, sharp "asparagus" Apatites scattered on contrasting pink feldspar crystals. Well prepped and trimmed aesthetically, the large Apatite is 2.3CM standing and super gemmy. Nearly all Moroccan Apatites have easily noticeable damage, cloudy areas or other "issues" This is not at all like that, and is unusual for the attractive matrix which very few examples have. We have a few other examples from this find in the 200-300$ range that are good, but this specimen is exceptional!
Spessartine on Quartz
stock #A7-055-(623)
Waziristan Ophiolite, North Waziristan
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
2.8 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $125
Spring 2014
An especially bright, lustrous garnet sits on a small hill of quartz, tourmaline and feldspar. Bright red color with complex faces, this is an attractive and affordable gem crystal. The main garnet has some adhering quartz contacts but is otherwise in fine condition
Apatite- CaF exceptional royal purple
stock #AX-14B-099
Shigar, Skardu District, Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
4.4 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $4250
Spring 2014
From an amazing small find in late 2012, this apatite has the intense purple color usually only seen in the finest Pulsifer crystals. Aside from the intense color that can not be well captured in photos, the faces are glass like with gemmy areas. In fine condition especially for such a large prism. The intense color is confined to an outer zone, so looking down the termination it is possible to see inside to the crystals grey-green interior. Far far better in person!
Sharp and very esthetic Powellite. The most sought after species from the Deccan Traps, the best Powellites all come from this general area in India, but good ones are still uncommon and often quite expensive. This is a super piece for the size and price. Neatly perched on a twisted arm of drusy quartz that also hosts a few bi-colored Apophyllites. The Powellite crystal is undamged with glassy luster and is very well formed. Distinct elongation on the C axis, the Powellite is 2 CM long.
.jpg)
.jpg)