Scheelite crystals in a Quartz-lined vug with individuals to 1.3 cm across. A choice specimens from the less well-known Czech locality of Obri Dul. Collected in 1960 from this small Skarn area that is noted more for Fluorites and Wollastonite. These are quite sharp and sizable for the location and well-preserved. Good luster, nice light yellow-orange color and strong fluorescence.
A small cluster of bright pink Tourmalines with good translucency and gem transparent sections. This has sharp edges, well-formed striations and flat terminations in excellent condition. Any such specimens from this locality are very rare and any good ones like this are simply never seen on the market. This is mounted on a 19th century style turned wooden base. Certainly the best specimen I have seen from this locality but honestly I have seen very few others, and none ever outside of museum collections.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #20.1-759
Dolny Bori, Bory, Zaar nad Sazavou District
Vysocina Region,
Czech Republic
5.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $130
Pre Tucson
Apatite crystals in a Feldspar block from the Phosphate Pegmatite of Dolny Bory (Czech Republic). There are 4 Apatites on the specimen, 3 very tiny but the largest crystal is 7 MM across and 8mm tall. Much of that crystal is embedded in the Feldspar, yet complete and undamaged. The mint green color is unusually vibrant compared to other pieces I have seen. This is from an important Moravian Pegmatite region where all mining has been shut down since the 1970's and mostly reclaimed. We rarely see any specimens from here in the USA.
Berzelianite - rich, rare Selenide
stock #20.1-804
Bukov Mine, Rozna, Zdar nad Sazavou District
Vysocina Region,
Czech Republic
7.8 x 7 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Spring 23
A fine and rich specimen of the rare Copper Selenide Berzelianite. While far from pretty (for many people an ugly specie) this is very large and fine for the specie and shows well the Berzelianite and its alterations to other Copper Selenides. The brown sooty material and the dark metallic versions of the specie are both well-exposed. It seems some associated Tiemannite is present also. There are not very many Selenides in the mineral world, and the deposit at the long closed Bukov Mine (Czech Republic) was perhaps the best known classic source of Copper Selenides. The mineral has a long and rich history being named by James Dana (father of modern mineralogy) for Jakob Berzelius who was the creator of the periodic table, symbols of the Elements and chemical notation, and often called the father of analytic Chemistry. Described in 1850 shortly after the death of Berzelius, in honor of his discovery of the element Selenium and at least 5 other elements. This specimen was collected in 1970 when this could still be found at the site.
A very well-crystallized classic specimen from the ancient mining district of Pribram. The silver-rich Tetrahedrites had been called Freibergite but this is now a discredited specie name but exists as a subgroup tin the Tetrahedrite family. This is a superb piece with well-defined crystals on sizable Siderite crystals. The cluster of Freibergite/Tetrahedrite crystals is 3.2 CM across and is overall in good condition though there are some bruises to mention. despite that this is still a killer for the locality and specie. Silver was chased in this zone going back for centuries, later lead and finally Uranium were sought. Silver species are quite prized and well-crystalized specimens are now rare from this famed mine.
Aragonite - classic, vintage
stock #16.1-499-(CN4680)
Cicov Hill, Horenec, Libceves, Louny District, Usi Nad Labem Region
Bohemia,
Czech Republic
5.1 x 1.9 x 1.6 (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $420
Fall 22
A classic old Aragonite crystal that does look a lot like a Calcite. It has good yellow to amber color zoning and sharp form that are distinctive to this classic old find. In fine condition and well-terminated, lustrous and translucent. The original labels (see the second photo) do have a mis-identification for the locality showing the coal mining locale of Bilina. Since this find at Cicov hill is world famous, unique and well-documented we can correct this with certainty. The great finds were made at this locale in the 19th century, the George M English label included is from the 1893-1898 era based on the address printed. A true and choice classic specimen Ex Charles M Noll and G. M English
Tennantite and Siderite - classic European
stock #17.1-032
Barbora Adit, Knottei area, Krupka, Krusne Hory Mts
Usti nad Labem Region (Bohemia),
Czech Republic
5.4 x 3.3 x 2.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $150
new year 2021
A very old and very rich Czech Tennantite from this historic mining region. The matrix is a sparkling Quartz with several large (for the locality) Siderite rhombs up to 2.5 CM. The Tennantites are in clusters of many small, distinctive crystals, up to 4mm - though most are smaller. The Tennantite masses are relatively bright, lustrous and includes many twins. A small amount of Chalcopyrite is seen with magnification. This can be displayed from several angles that show more Dolomite or more Tennantite depending on preference.
Pyromorphite -very old classic locale
stock #0100-JM-141
Bleistadt (Olovi), Sokolov District
Karlovy Vary Region (Bohemia),
Czech Republic
5.6 x 3.9 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Spring 2020
A choice historic Pyro and a very uncommon locality piece that is quite a lot nicer than just a "reference" specimen. From the ancient lead mining area in Czech Republic, Bleistadt (or Olovi) in Bohemia has been mined for centuries beginning in the early 14th century. This specimen was in the Moritz Lechner Collection (1850-1903) of Austria which was made up of several much earlier collections going back to the early 18th century. Much of this collection was later obtained by the Schortmann brothers (Massachusetts, USA) who sold this piece in 1969 to John Marshall. John was building a comprehensive Pyromorphite suite and seeking as many rare locality pieces as possible. The labels are included along with the Marshall collection card. The specimen itself has several blocky, dark brown, lustrous crystals to almost 1 CM on a vuggy Quartz matrix. In very good condition the matrix has been crudely sawn long ago on the back and sides. A few older labels and numbers are affixed on this specimen which predate the Lechner collection number. While we do not know the earliest collection history of this piece it is clearly very very old and a very nice bit of mineralogical history.
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