Phosgenite - classic Sardinian
stock #23.1-352
Monteponi Mine, Iglesias, Carbonia
Sardinia,
Italy
2.3 x 2.1 x 1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $490
Spring 23
A single crystal of Phosgenite from the classic Monteponi Mine, ex Delaware University museum and attributed to the George Kunz collection (No Kunz label but a faded number on the specimen). Most of the Phosgenites from this locale have some type of damage, this one has some edge wear but is mostly complete on all sides, there is a chip on the backside and an old repair to note but still shows the form very well. This has classic flat basal terminations and stepped outer edges on the prism faces. Gemmy areas as well as vivid fluorescence add interest and character. For many years the Monteponi Mines were the world's best source of crystalized Lead secondary minerals like this; they are still prized and respected today.
Kutnohorite with Aragonite in Geode
stock #22.1-181
Levane, Bucine, Arezzo Province
Tuscany,
Italy
4.7 x 4.4 x 2 CM larger half (miniature)
price: $380
Fall 22
A complete Geode of Carbonate rock filled with colorless Selenite needles and brown to pinkish spheres of Kutnahorite. In perfect condition, this is from an very unusual occurrence and is a very attractive presentation of Kutnahorite unlike any others we know of. This specie is a fairly uncommon Manganese Carbonate, but it can take many forms and habits. It is best known as good display specimens from the Kalahari Manganese Fields, from most other localities these are quite drab. This deposit has a very different style and esthetic, the better specimens like this are quite attractive and unusual. This specimen is especially rich for this locality with balls of Kutnahorite to well over 1 cm both pink and brown in color.
Valentinite on Barite - classic Italian
stock #12.1-304
Tafone Mine, Manciano, Grosetto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
8.5 x 6.4 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
New Year 22
An incredibly rich and sizable specimen that is covered with hundreds of slender glassy crystals of Valentinite. Ex John Marshall collection, with previous labels from Shields Flynn and Pequa Rare Minerals, this is an excellent cabinet sized display piece, by far the largest and very best we have ever seen from this locality and outstanding from practically anyplace. Typically Valentinite is seen as Micro specimens or thumbnails, such a large dense carpet of crystals is very rare. Despite the delicacy, this is in excellent condition.
Pyrite with Dolomite
stock #0725-JM-2882
Niccioleta Mine, Massa Maratima, Grosseto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
9.6 x 9.5 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
New Year 22
A fine and well-developed cluster of Pyrite crystals showing deep striations and bright luster. Ex John Marshall collection, this is a vintage piece from a locality we rarely see, but which was famed for fine Pyrite crystals and some other Sulphides (Stibnite etc). In excellent condition the Pyrites are in clusters and also in well-isolated crystals. This is a solid and stable piece there is no sign of any degeneration or oxidation.
Three dimensional vuggy matrix with several altered Stibnite crystals that are now the matrix for blood red Klebelsbergite crystals. There are also some sprays of colorless needles and small yellow balls that are not identified though we suspect the needles are also Klebelsbergite. Most specimens of this mineral are micromounts and not so well visible as this. The crystals of Stibnite/ Stibiconite reach to a little over 3 CM long and are well-protected in the vugs. Ex collection of Glenn Petrie and Brizzi Gioncarlo (Florence, Italy). The older labels mention Kermesite which is not known from this locality. I can not see anything that looks like this specie and suspect it is an error, but it could be possible in tiny crystals. . The Pereta Mine is not well-known outside of Italy but it is an important and rich old locale that has been the source of many rare Antimony minerals. This is a rich example of several alterations of Stibnite and while very impressive under magnification it is also attractive as a normal, eye visible display specimen.
Grossular var. Hessonite (classic locale)
stock #21.1-198
Ala Valley, Lanzo Valley, Turin
Piedmont,
Italy
5.8 x 3.4 x 1.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Early summer 2021
A plate of highly lustrous Garnets from the famed Ala Valley. The color and transparency of these Grossular is outstanding. There are several larger, more isolated crystals that are set in a matrix of much smaller Grossular. The larger crystals reach 1 CM and glow a vivid red when backlit. In normal lighting the color is darker red as seen in the photos. This is a particularly rich piece with a fine color and dense coverage of bright sparkling Garnet. Overall in very good condition, some rough spots are seen with magnification but these are very minor and almost invisible in the context of the piece. Far better than average esthetics and visual impact from the Piedmont region.
Celestite (Barian Celestine)
stock #AC-313
Girgenti
Sicily,
Italy
9.7 x 7.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
Early summer 2021
A beautiful glassy spray of powder blue crystals radiating upward from a massive base. This is a very old specimen from the classic Sulfur locality that has been mined for many centuries. This type of Celestite with the blue color has sometimes been labeled as Barite but often on analysis is found to be Celestite with some Barium. The piece is attractive despite chips and damage to a few crystals. Very uncommon to find material this attractive on the market, the blue color is especially desirable.
A chain of linked line of apple-green Garnets on a Rodingite/Serpentine matrix. The specimen is from the old locality of Val Malenco and was collected prior to 1905. The form and color of these Andradites are classic and immediately recognizable. In very good condition as seen, just one very small chip is noted, the crystals reach up to 1.3 CM in a 4.7 CM line. The luster is waxy and the crystals are all transparent to translucent. In person the color is close to a good deep Peridot hue.
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