Afghanite
stock #8.AE-742
Laduar Medam, Sar-e-Sang District, Koksha Valley, Khash and Kuran Wa Mun
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
5 x 4 CM (miniature)
price: $165
A sharp, deep blue terminated Afghanite sits on the top of a calcite matrix (FL). The Afghanite crystal is 2 CM long and 1.6 CM wide, it is broken in the back but the presenting side is undamaged. There are two other broken crystal fragments in the matrix. A nice example and a well-presented termination of this once uncommon mineral.
Silver with Rhodochrosite
stock #8.1-278
Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Province
Lima Department,
Peru
5.6 x 4.2 x 4.3 CM (miniature)
price: $1180
From a find about 20 years ago, this is a very striking example of well formed Silver growing from a Quartz and Rhodochrosite vug. Super esthetic, undamaged and with excellent contrast this is a very fine Silver example. Several wires over 2 CM long and relatively thick are complexly crystallized. One single sharply terminated Silver crystal is protruding 9mm from the quartz with spear-like form. The Rhodos are a series of stacked tiny rhombohedra and add a further contrast and a very special association. An old Dave Bunk label has a 1500.00 price tag on it, it is a fine specimen.
The Xuebaoding Aquamarines are distinctive and have become rather common on the market, but good ones are much less common. This is a good example with deeper than average color and distinct sharp form. The single gem crystal is well placed aesthetically on the matrix. As a bonus the dark area on the right includes a zone of redissolved Cassiterite, an unidentified green mineral similar to Mushingtonite, and an unknown Silver metallic mineral. As this location is not able to produce at this time, these will be harder to get and are still a remarkable bargain.
I believe that the area near Pingwu, China is one of the greatest mineral localities ever. Some amazing quality minerals are well known but usually not many variations. However, this is not a typical Xuebaoding Aqua! In 2007 I purchased a small lot in China that were unusually elongated beryls that were bi-color (white to blue). I expected there would be many more, but there were not, the habit is very rare and not found since. We originally sold this piece in 2007, I am glad to have it back. It has the largest crystals I have seen from this find (4.8 CM) and it displays super well. No damage at all on the display side, there is matrix contact on the back. The crystals are well-arranged on the minimal matrix which is the usual Albite and Muscovite. Most of the terminations show an unusual hoppering that is also unique to this one find.
Calcite with Stibnite inclusions
stock #8.1-410
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.2 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
A top quality example from a small recent (2008) find of rhombohedral Calcites included by lustrous Stibnite. A few of these were sold in Munich last year but nearly all had damage. We were fortunate to obtain at the source a few fine, esthetic and quite pristine pieces. There have been no more since. These are far more delicate and rare that the material found at Nandan in 1998, I expect these will also become modern classics and quite sought after. The glassy, translucent to transparent rhomb is 5.5 CM wide and has no eye visible damage. Magnification shows only a few rough spots on edges. The Stibnites are clearly visible inside the calcite. Esthetic and displayable from several angles.
Calcite with Stibnite inclusions
stock #8.1-412-GWT
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.8 x 5.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
A fine gemmy calcite well included by shining Stibnites. A very good example from this important small find. The sharpness and clarity are excellent, and the calcite is the largest complete crystal I have seen from this find.
Fluorapatite and Scheelitte on Muscovite
stock #8.1-414 GWT
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
6.3 x 5.2 CM (miniature)
price: $575
A light purple Fluorapatite 1.6 CM sits next to sharp gemmy orange Scheelites on a Muscovite matrix. Most Apatite from Xuebaoding is more pink and this shade is very rare. Fantastic color contrasts, glass-like luster and good esthetics make this a very fine piece. Very clean of damage by eye, there are some very minor contacts and chipping found at 10x magnification. A top notch example!
Calcite included by Stibnite
stock #8.1-411 GWT
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
7.1 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A single gemmy flattened rhomb sits on matrix and shows well the Stibnites included and protruding from the crystal. Very sharp, nice color with no noticeable damage but some very minor roughness to edges and contacts on back. Esthetic and eye-catching!
