Betekhtinite
stock #22.1-506
Dzhezkazgan Mining District
Karaganda Region,
Kazakhstan
5 x 3.2 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $460
Fall 22
A fine, well-crystalized specimen of this rare Lead Copper Iron Sulfide. The world's best specimens came from this remote Kazakhstan locality in 1998, this is one of those. This is a cluster of striated, metallic to sooty black crystals, on what looks like a matrix that is also Betekhtinite in crystals of a different habit. Very choice for this rare specie that is not often available. A great find for those who love rare sulfides and find black minerals to be especially beautiful!
Copper - spinel twin crystals
stock #21.1-318
Dzhezkazgan Mining District
Karaganda Region,
Kazakhstan
7.5 x 1 x .6 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
Elongated spinel twin crystals of copper in a chain form are topped with a tiny "tree" of copper wire crystals. Super esthetic and in perfect condition from the amazing find about 12 years ago in Kazakhstan, this is a textbook perfect example. The Copper has a dark red patina on one side and a more metallic on the other. The red color may be the result of Cuprite coatings and alterations on those faces. An elegant and delicate form, this is very impressive in person and the little tree really makes this remarkable.
This would be a world class Bismuthinite from anyplace and is exceptional from Kara-Oba. The addition of a complete, doubly terminated Ferberite adds a great balance, and the coatings of tiny bright purple Fluorite puts this piece in a class by itself. With good magnification several Cosalite sprays of metallic needles are noted, along with flattened Quartz crystals. In excellent condition, the Fluorite druse covers some faces of the Bismuthinite as well as the Ferberite, adding a nice sparkle in person. The Bismuthinte crystals are up to 6 CM tall and have a fine metallic patina seen on one side. Bismuthinite is not normally an attractive mineral but this is a very esthetic example, has great associations and is simply superb for the specie.
Dioptase - type locality
stock #8-FE-688
Altyn-Tyube, Kirghiz Steppes
Karaganda Region,
Kazakhstan
5.8 x 4.1 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $460
new year 2021
Like green eggs in a nest, a pair of very well-exposed Dioptase crystals from the classic Altyn-Tyube Mine. This is the type locality for the specie. The crystals are complete, well-formed, doubly terminated and undamaged. The overall esthetics are super for the locality and at 1.3 cm these are bigger than average.
Hematite with Quartz -unusual locality
stock #16.1-718
Dzhezkazgan Mining District
Karagandy Province,
Kazakhstan
4.7 x 3.8 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $340
Choice, mirror bright metallic crystals in a stacked cluster from an unusual locality in Kazakhstan. The main crystal is a perfect hexagon 2.2 CM across. This mine is well known for excellent Copper minerals but this is the first fine Hematite we have seen. The Karagandy region has other localities for nice Hematites but this is both different in habit and better than most we have seen.
Silver - wire mass
stock #9.1-022
Dzhezkazgan Mining District
Zhezgazghan Oblysy,
Kazakhstan
4.8 x 3.1 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $780
Spring 2020
A choice, dense mass of thick and thin wires (some flattened) forming a cluster of curls. From finds about 20 years ago in Kazakhstan, this is a far better than typical specimen with good form, character and a nice dark patina. Ex Ernie Schlichter, these are just not seen anymore and are quite distinctive, a very nice Silver with classic form.
Copper- twinned crystals
stock #AX-19-164
Itauz Mine, Zhilandy group
Karagandy Province,
Kazakhstan
5.5 x .9 x .4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $175
Spring update
Complex twinned crystals in a branching display with fine patina. No damage, a choice example of the great spinel twin habits that have been found in Kazakstan. Looks fine on all sides, a very good value.
Super form showing epitaxial arrangements and a textbook structure in this esthetic Kazak Fluorite. Impressive and quite unlike any other sort of Fluorite from anywhere in the world. The main crystal is 4.8 CM across well perched at the top of a mixes mineral matrix. In excellent condition overall as seen though some cleaves are present with some crystal regrowth over those spots. Way better in person, this is a choice example from a find more than 2 decades ago and no longer seen on the market.
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