Smithsonite
stock #18.1-685
Xiafu, Zhoaping Co. Henzoh Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
15.3 x 5.8 x 5.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A fine, large and attractive Smithsonite with the most desired wet-look luster. From a major find in China in 2018-19 these were sold by many as Cadmium Smithsonites. This was huge news at that time and many pieces were sold for very high prices. It now seems few if any are actually true Cadmium-bearing pieces from this find, but they are as in this case still very attractive. The price of this piece is far lower than was asked in the initial offerings. In fine condition, this was sawn on the underside to remove it without damage, the sawn area is not seen on display. Super chatoyant and with great textures, this is a very nice addition to any Smithsonite suite. Better in person too.
So called fossil Bamboo, these are technically not fossils but casts where greenish-yellow to orange color Agate had formed on the outside of bamboo stems (Genus Equisetum) or other sorts of plant growths. The plants are long gone of course leaving behind hollow voids with a thin skin exterior. The overall look is a lot like a Cadmium Smithsonite and is quite esthetic, botryoidal and very eye-catching. One of the best we have seen from this find in Java, the completeness and color are especially nice. A very odd and uncommon sort of Quartz!
Mimetite - classic German locale
stock #23.1-665
Haus Badden Mine, Sehringen, Badenweiler, Friburg
Baden-Wurttemberg,
Germany
6 x 4.5 x 3.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $165
Tiny but perfect orange balls of Mimetite on a darker matrix from this ancient Lead mine. The Haus Badden mine is known for some fine rare lead secondaries as well as some more common yet esthetic species. This specimen is from an old find, there was a newer find of Mimetite by collectors in 2009 that were yellow color, these are a much deeper orange.
Sharp, perfectly formed and doubly terminated main crystal with no matrix, only a few smaller crystals and a tiny fleck of Mica are attached. A classic Maine specimen from the famed Bennett Quarry, the crystal has an unidentified thin chocolate brown skin on most of the faces. In a few spots the coating is gone and the crystal seen below is gem clear and colorless. It seems to be a simple job to remove this coating, but it may be one of the more rare Phosphates so it should stay until identified. This is an excellent specimen from this locale and with the color coating very unusual too.
Grossular - Gem crystals on Pectolite
stock #AX-32-066
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.3 x 2.5 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $3300
Over several decades many fine Grossular have come from the Jeffrey Mine, but very few are truly gem crystals. This is an exceptionally fine and rare specimen with outstanding clarity, especially vivid color and top luster. The matrix is also much less common, a mass of Pectolite crystals that adds a contrast in texture and color. The Garnets are clear enough to see through to the matrix below. We have worked with many fine Jeffrey Garnets but very few of this quality ever. This is not at all typical of the deposit and is better in person as well. In excellent condition as seen with only some small internal cleaves not visible from most angles. Those would be fully invisible if this was not such a gem clear specimen. A excellent Garnet from anyplace and very fine for the Jeffrey Mine.
Small but pretty miniature from Tsumeb of course. The Smithsonite is well-crystalized with gemmy dark pink color that is almost purple. Scattered in this are gemmy butterscotch yellow-orange Wulfenites that are also gemmy. The matrix is a nice contrast and the whole is in excellent condition. Many pink Smithsonites are mistakenly called Cobaltoan when often the color is actually from Manganese, Iron or another source. We are fairly sure this is indeed Cobaltoan Smithsonite based on the paragenesis and match to another well-tested sample. No matter the chromophore here the specimen is richly colorful, attractive and a very nice association that is not crazy expensive for one of these.
Aurichalcite
stock #AX-10-868
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
7.3 x 6.8 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
A rich and large vug of Aurichalcite crystals in hairlike masses and clusters. Excellent color and in very fine condition. A classic from Mina Ojuela, this is a fairly old (1970-80 era) specimen and far better than the usual seen from this locality .It has a very large blue zone, long hairs (to well over 1 CM) in thick layers and has real display impact. Very few minerals in the world have this exact color, it stands out in any cabinet!
Spinel on Marble- classic Mogog red
stock #24.1-181
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
Mandalay Division,
Myanmar (Burma)
3.1 x 2.4 x 2.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $160
A single bright red crystal of Spinel sits on a small mass of pure white Marble. The form is a modified octahedron and is undamaged, complete and presents well. This is classic Mogok material, the crystal is vividly fluorescent and displays well from all sides. This is a small and affordable version of the top larger Spinels that are known from here which typically sell at incredibly high prices.
