Azurite crystals with deep blue color in a complex cluster. Several different terminations are noted here, many are flat or chisel tipped, some are more prismatic. The luster ranges from dull to moderately bright, with some faces very reflective. The back side is contacted but seems to have been recrystallized or healed. On the display side the main crystals are undamaged but a few have either contacts or adhering bits of other minerals that give some roughness. Azurites from Tsumeb took many forms and habits, this piece has several of them. The largest crystal is just under 3 CM.
Glassy transparent crystals of Calcite with well-defined phantoms of red Hematite. A classic from Tsumeb, this is an especially bright and colorful example. The outer edges show the breaks where this was removed from the host rock but the core of the specimen is in very good condition, only minor edge scuffs are seen on close exam. The included Hematite seems to be in two different generations, some darker clouds are a brown-red color while the sharply defined phantoms are more red and form thin lines. A choice example of this from this classic locality. Looks better in person.
Fluorite with Calcite - classic USA
stock #22.1-697
Minerva #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
7.8 x 5.8 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
Spring 23
An excellent grape purple cluster of well-formed translucent cubes with some minor zoning. The form is unusual and delicate with very sharp cubes perched on thin crusts of Calcite in a vug-like structure. From the famed Rosiclaire zone of the Minerva #1 Mine, this is from a unique find more than 35 years ago. Displays very well from several angles and in very good condition overall. A few very tiny cleaves are present so not technically perfect but most crystals are indeed fully perfect, The cleaves are not easy to spot by naked eye, this is as fine as anything we have ever seen from this unusual find.
Garnet (Pyrope-Almandine) on Muscovite
stock #21.FC-025
Betaimboraka Pegmatite, Miarinarivo
Itasy Region,
Madagascar
11 x 7.8 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Spring 23
A large and complex Muscovite crystal with stepped growth is the host for a single distorted Garnet crystal. The Garnet is in the Pyrope-Almandine series and probably contains both species but is mostly Almandine. The Garnet is very dark overall but strong light shows a few tiny areas of translucent red. An older Madagascar specimen, in very good condition and with an unusual morphology in both the Garnet and the matrix.
Grossular - frog-egg type
stock #17.1-462
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4 x 3.5 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $380
Spring 23
One of the most desirable and rare types of Grossular from the Jeffrey Mine are the frog-egg type. This specimen is a matrix of tiny Diopside crystals that hold several gem clear Garnets. Some of these are frog egg type with the colorless exterior and a bright green interior zone, much like frog eggs. The crystals are in excellent condition, very sharp and bright but small, with the largest just 2-3 MM in size. Despite the small size, the color is vivid enough to show the crystals to the naked eye. There is some fluorescence as well which is noted from some of the green Jeffrey Garnets. Very unusual to find a clean specimen in this price range now.
Elbaite (castellated termination)
stock #15.1-509
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
7.1 x 5.1 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
Rubellite variety Elbaite crystals in a complex cluster on contrasting matrix. The termination is a series of sharp spires and a deep recessed void that also contains spikes of Tourmaline. The Elbaite is translucent to transparent in fine condition. The matrix is also well-crystalized and overgrown with white Albite. From a find more than 10 years ago at Paprok this is quite different than the usual material seen from this famed mine. Esthetic and attractive on all sides.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #22.1-548
Aouli. Midelt, Khenifra Province
Draa-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
4.8 x 3.1 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Spring 23
Bright yellow Fluorites on contrasting reddish druzy Quartz. The main Fluorite is elongated and gem clear; a very glassy contrast to the matrix. Close exam shows many odd inclusions in the crystals, but overall this a simply a cute, colorful and affordable Fluorite.
Vanadinite - epitaxial stack of crystals
stock #16.1-242
ACF Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Khenifra Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
3.2 x 2.3 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $420
Spring 23
Vanadinite crystals in rare stacked array from the incredible Mibladen area (the ACF Mine). This region has produced literally tons of nice Vanadinite, of many sorts. It is very hard to find anything really different or special in the production, but a few pieces do sometimes turn up. This is one such special example that looks somewhat like a tree and seems almost unreal in the stacked arrangement of the crystals. The tabular crystals are naturally arranged by decreasing size in a graduated tower. Out of thousands of specimens we have seen, this is unique. Some very minor edge chips exist but are nearly invisible. The red color is more intense from some angles which is also typical of this locality. All in all, a fine toenail sized piece, with an impressive arrangement.
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