A fine, vintage classic specimen of very large Pyromorphite crystals that are partly altered to Galena but are mostly still Pyro. The Kautenbach mine is one of the most distinctive of all European locales and the Galena Pseudomorphs are highly prized. Pyromorphite in sharp hexagons to 2.5 CM across with some zones of Galena coatings and alterations. The oldest label lists a date of 1880, and this is in remarkable condition given that age. Most crystal faces are sharp and complete but some minor edge wear is present. Excellent patina, the Pyro crystals are huge for the location and about as large as were found. Perhaps not a "beautiful" mineral specimen but to many collectors these old Pyros are real treasures. Choice.
Cerussite -vintage from classic locale
stock #A-22-269
Freidrichssegagen Mine, Frucht, Bad Ems District
Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany
3.2 x 2.6 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $380
new june 17
An old, very gemmy Cerussite with several different crystal habits present with label from the mining Acadamy at Freiberg (Bergakademie Freiberg). The Bad Ems area once had many lead mines and was famed for its great Pyromorphites. The Cerussites could also be quite fine as seen here but many old pieces do not have a clear mine atribution. This piece is clearly noted as from the Friedrichsegen mine, which closed in 1913. The condition is excellent.
Pyromorphite
stock #17.1-279 (A7)
Bad Ems
Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany
2.8 x 2.6 x 2.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $90
new june 17
Choice, classic thumbnail of flesh colored Pyromorphites showing fine Barrel shaped crystal form and hoppered terminations. A small bit of adhering Barite is noted but mostly this is all Pyro. A nice arrangement very three dimensional with good luster. Magnification shows the main crystals are undamaged but areas at the edges have some chipping, not visible by naked eye. A good, affordable German specimen.
A classic specimen from the famed Lechner collection of Austria, later sold by the Schortmanns in 1950-52. A Gossan and decomposed Galena matrix full of vugs hosts sharp and in some cases gemmy Anglesites. Scattered small Linarite crystals are near, on and in the Anglesites. The largest Anglesite is 8MM, several crystal forms and possibly some twinning is noted. Choice old piece.
A perfect composite crystal with alignment of the individual prisms and spraying out from the origin point. This is a perfect condition specimen with fine wet luster and attractive form on all sides. A vintage Bad Ems specimen that comes with old labels and a glass topped box likely late 19th or early 20th century vintage. It is quite rare to find a crystal this large without chips or issues. A choice classic locale German Pyromorphite.
Manganite
stock #15.1-452
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz Mts
Thuringia,
Germany
5.7 x 4.1 x 2 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Spring 2017
A fine, old German Manganite with very lustrous metallic crystals. Looks good on all sides but the "front" is a bit better. Typical crystal habits reaching to 3.3 CM. Some contacts and breakage keeps the price very low for one of these classics yet this still displays quite well.
A nearly pure mass of Manganite that is the matrix for a well-crystallized vug filled with sharp Manganite crystals and white Barites. Ex Patricia Barker collection, this is a fine condition specimen and certainly a older vintage piece. Not quite the usual habit for the location, the crystals are sharp and lustrous.
Apatite
stock #15.1-348
Greifenstein Rocks, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
6.1 x 4.1 x 2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1300
Fall 2015
An old German classic Apatite with sizable purple crystals on contrasting matrix. Crystals are up to 1.6 CM in size with large transparent sections and sharp form. There is an old repair on this piece that is only seen with good magnification. The crystals are overall in good condition but there are some tiny broken quartz and chipped Apatite that is best seen at 10X magnification. This is in very good condition for its age, and the crystal size is huge for the locale. Esthetic. Ex Jorg Walther collection.
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