Dioptase on Calcite
stock #19.1-900
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
4.7 x 2 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $460
Early summer 2023
Sharp gem clear crystals of bright Green Dioptase on contrasting Calcite. A Tsumeb classic, in fine undamaged condition and with well-isolated crystals. Tsumeb produced many great Dioptase but the most desired are those on the white Calcite like this. The vivid green with glassy luster stand out well. Small but impressive and relatively affordable. This is far more pretty in person.
Smithsonite
stock #7.AE-016
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
7.8 x 3.6 x 2.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Spring 23
A fine old Tsumeb Smithsonite with a chain of rhombs aligned on a thin blade of Dolomite. The Smithsonite is in excellent condition with chocolate brown crystals to 1.7 CM across on the outer edge resting on smaller yellow-brown crystals below. The luster is matte to silky and the crystals are well-defined.
Mimetite with Arsentsumebite
stock #23.1-364
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.2 x 4.3 x 3.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $160
Spring 23
Mimetite crystals ranging from colorless to gem yellow are scattered on all sides of this gossan matrix. There are zones of Arsentsumebite adding some greenish color as well. Some very tiny unknown colorless crystals are also noted as is a blue-green hue on some Arsentsumebite that seems to be another sort of alteration mineral. Most crystals are complete, undamaged though close exam does find some damage but not very noticeable. Nicer in person.
Amethyst - modern classic locale
stock #23.1-363
Goboboseb Mts., Brandberg area,
Erongo Region,
Namibia
7.3 x 5.6 x 5.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $370
Spring 23
A pair of perfect Amethyst crystals on matrix from Goboboseb (Namibia). The crystals are fully transparent with a deep purple core zone and more light-smokey toward the terminations. The matrix has been sawn on the bottom and sides to extract this without damage, there are no repairs. Both tips are perfect, undamaged even viewed at strong magnification. The range and quality of Goboboseb Amethyst is broad and amazing. We are fortunate that this remote location has been one of the world's best sources of fine Quartz and Amethyst at reasonable cost. A good value for a nice specimen in this size and price range.
Fluorite - new find spinel twin, multicolor
stock #23.1-273
Hohenstein Massif, Omaruru District
Erongo Region,
Namibia
3.3 x 2.7 x 2.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $590
Spring 23
From an exciting new find in the Erongo (Namibia) this hosts a perfect elongated Spinel twin crystal. Transparent and very colorful, with backlighting this glows vivid hues of purple, green and shows a zone of yellow-orange. We have not made the photos with strong backlight so this looks as it would in normal display lighting. I have seen a few of these posted on the web with strong backlight which looks incredible but this is unrealistic and I think misleading. No matter the light, this is a textbook perfect twin on a Fluorite matrix. It is sharp, complete and undamaged. Far better in person too.
Cerussite - large twin crystal
stock #6.2-921
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.4 x 6.7 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Spring 23
Cerussite crystal in a sixling form with 4 of the 6 arms being well-defined and terminated, and two truncated. The Cerussite is a milky white color with some smoky phantom areas. This is almost pure Cerussite (458 Grams) with just a little adhering matrix in a few areas. The specimen on close exam seems to be an intergrowth of two or more twins in parallel position. Some rough spots are noted that are very small and almost invisible on the front display side, some chipping is seen on the back. From the side the Cerussite arms show well-defined striations and several areas of transparency. This is not perfect as noted above, but very few are ever fully perfect. This is a famously delicate and fragile mineral but this one has a classic form, large size, and a very good value for a cabinet sized Cerussite.
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.
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