Apatite - gemmy crystal with twist
stock #22.1-167
Mpwapwa
Dodoma Region,
Tanzania
3.7 x 2.9 x 1.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $360
Spring 23
Transparent blue crystal of Apatite on Feldspar matrix. The crystal has a twist and some bending as well, it is hard to see in photos but distinct in person. The Apatite has a well developed termination, glassy luster. This comes from a small find in 2022 at a little known locality in Tanzania.
Spinel on Calcite
stock #22.1-161
Mahenge
Morogoro,
Tanzania
5 x 3.3 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $480
Fall 22
Fine rich red octahedrons of Spinel up to 2.4 CM across are well-exposed on contrasting white Calcite. The luster is quite bright and while the Spinel is not really transparent it is translucent and vividly fluorescent. These Tanzanian Spinels are in some cases an excellent alternative to more expensive examples from other locales. This piece shows very classic habit and the crystals have only a very slight hint of "melted" edges. Rounded or "melted" edges is typical of Spinel crystals as they get larger, this piece is notably sharper than typical.
Scapolite - gem crystal
stock #21.1-518
Marble Occurance, Moogoro, Ulugaru Mts.
Morogoro,
Tanzania
1.5 x 1.4 x 1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $220
Post Tucson 2022
A single sharp and totally transparent gem crystal of Scapolite from Tanzania. Delicate yellow color and showing a well-defined termination, this is from the Marble Occurrence deposit that years ago produced some very fine crystals. In great condition, fluorescent under short wave UV and super lustrous in daylight, a small, fine gem thumbnail.
Chrome Tremolite - gem crystal
stock #21.1-181
Merelani Hills, Lelatama Mountains, Simanjiro District
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
5.7 x 1.5 x .6 CM (cabinet)
price: $790
Late Summer 2021
A large, choice and gemmy Chrome Diopside crystal. This comes from the best locality for this uncommon variety of Tremolite, the Merelani Hills famed for its Tanzanite. Very little has been available for the past few years and usually much smaller. This is a very large crystal for the specie, the color is slightly zoned from a bright apple green at the base to a more yellow-green below the termination. The termination is somewhat crude but complete with several separate points and some dark inclusions. The crystal is well-striated giving a silky look to the sides of the prism. This is fully transparent so it does not need any backlight to show off the color.
Prehnite - crystallized ball/rosette cluster
stock #19.1-650
Merelani Hills, Lelatama Mountains, Simanjiro District
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
6.7 x 5.6 x 5.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
new year 2021
A large, complete Prehnite ball that is well-crystallized on all sides. The radiating crystals are quite lustrous, mostly a dark blue- green and with a few scattered clear Calcites adding extra contrast. The largest individual Prehnites are almost 2 CM, though most are about 1 CM. The condition is exceptional, undamaged and the overall esthetics are impressive from many angles. This piece is from the major find in 2018 and well above average for quality.
Tanzanite (Gem Blue Zoisite)
stock #19.1-849
Merelani Hills, Lelatama Mountains, Simanjiro District
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
1.8 x .9 x .7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $330
new year 2021
A brilliant blue thumbnail gem crystal of Tanzanite. In excellent condition with glassy luster and fine transparency, this is an affordable specimen of this often very expensive mineral. Good Tanzanite like this has a striking color shift across the "C" axis when rotated it shows a purple color shift. Some color zoning is seen in the crystal but it is overall a choice royal blue. 5.17 Carats
Prehnite
stock #19.1-652
Merelani Hills, Lelatama Mountains, Simanjiro District
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
5.9 x 3.7 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
"Cockcomb" habit spray of well defined Prehnite crystals from the recent finds at Merlani. The individual crystals are flattish blade type with distinct individual terminations, up to 2.6 CM tall. The Prehnite is all translucent, has a bright luster and a pleasing green to yellow hue. The white clusters are Calcite (fluorescent) with a few Pyrite cubes scattered about . These Tanzanian Prehnites are a very good value and can have outstanding form. This is a choice example.
Corundum (var. Ruby) single crystal
stock #AC-099
Mundarara Mine
Arusha Region,
Tanzania
6.6 x 3.6 x 2.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $150
Spring 2020
A single doubly terminated Corundum crystal that shows classic form and habit. This is vividly fluorescent an intense red which is normal for Ruby. The terminations are flat, smooth and have some intersecting lines visible. The crystal faces have typical very rough texture. Strong light penetrates the sides of the crystal showing some degree of translucence. Older specimen (1960's vintage) with nice form and great fluorescence.
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