Golden metallic Pyrrhotite crystals in several habits contrast with silver Galena, white Quartz and black Sphalerite. In exceptional condition, there is no visible damage and this has several very different and esthetic display angles. These Pyrrhotites are unusually well-formed, highly reflective and sharp. From the 1980-85 era, these are fantastic for the specie, and much more defined than most of the more recent finds.
Lorenzenite with minor Aegerine
stock #23.1-348-(D5628)
Lovozero Massif
Murmansk Oblast,
Russia
5.4 x 4.2 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $270
Spring 23
Choice crystals of Lorenzenite, a Sodium Titanium Silicate with distinct form up to 1.5 CM. From early finds at Lovozero (Kola Penninsula, Russia). This was in the collection of the Fersman Museum (Moscow) and later in the University of Delaware Museum. Older labels included giving the USSR as country of origin. The largest crystal is well-exposed, it has a nice red-purple color and textbook form. Minor crystals of Aegerine are also present, all in very fine condition.
Axinite - gemmy crystals
stock #10.1-298
Puiva Mount, Saranpaul, Khanty-Mansi Okrug, Tyumenskaya Oblast
Pre Polar Ural region,
Russia
5.5 x 3. x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Spring 23
Very sharp, complete and glassy, this is a flawless Axinite with many transparent sections. From the now famed discoveries in the Polar Urals, this is far more striking in person. Very few localities in the world ever produced Axinites of this calibre, the edges on this are razor sharp, it could easily cut skin or be cut as faceted gems. Usually crystals of this size have jagged edges or tiny chips, this one does not. The main crystal is 5.5 CM across. Backlighting adds a fine glow as well, but these photos are not backlit, this gives a true presentation of the specimen in a "normal" display. These have become quite uncommon over the past two decades and are now usually quite expensive. A very good value for quality in this size.
Galena with Calcite, Quartz etc.
stock #10.1-297
Dalnegorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
8.1 x 4.6 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Fall 22
Esthetic Galena crystal that is well-exposed, sits at the top of mixed specie matrix. The main Galena is complete, sharp with some face etching, and is a modified cubo-octahedral form. From the famed mines of Dalnegorsk, which has been the source of some of the world's best Galenas. Displays well from almost any angle, there is no damage seen, and the luster ranges from satin to mirror bright.
Quartz "interference" crystal
stock #22.1-137
Dalnegorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
9.3 x 2.7 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Fall 22
A perfect example of so called interference Quartz. For any Quartz suite this is a fine, exotic and strange form. From Dalnegorsk a few years ago this came from a small find and this was one of the largest crystals and one of the very few that were complete and undamaged. It seems that in this location at least as the Quartz grew it had a series of thin Calcite blades on each side. The Calcite has since dissolved away but had an impact on the crystal development. The result is a remarkable stepped form in an inclined series of ridges. Unusual and certainly esthetic in a strange way!
An unusually fine, complete and rather well-formed sixling crystal of Russian Alexandrite (Chrysoberyl). The Chromian green color is quite evident under daylight. This is classic in its form and locality, ex Eric Asselborne collection. In person this has excellent color change and with a strong light is translucent. An LED flashlight behind this shows a bright red core with a green exterior rind. Without such lighting the color is dark green and looks opaque. Most of the thin edges of this piece are sharp and well-defined though some are rough, this is far better than most specimens that have many larger edge chips or incomplete faces. A choice, classic thumbnail.
An old AE Foote specimen of a thick slab of dark pink to deep red Rhodonite from the famed Yekaterinburg locale. Dating back to the imperial era in Russia, this is polished on one side and has the rich dark color not seen in many modern pieces. The Tephroite is a yellow to brown zone that is also in swirls with Manganese oxides set in the red Rhodonite. The AE Foote Label attached is an unusual format (he had many different labels over his long career, that is likely an 1880 vintage. A nice example of a vintage red Rhodonite not often seen these days.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #21.1-486
Slyudyanka, Lake Baikal area
Irkutskaya Oblast, Prebaikalia,
Russia
9.9 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
New Year 22
Large and fine prism composed of two main crystals that are joined (and look to be twinned). Excellent blue color with bright luster and the classic "melted" look on the etched part of faces. This is the best single prism of Russian Apatite we have ever had, the termination is especially sharp and there is no damage at all, the lower section shows some deep etching and dissolution white the top is textbook perfect, even gemmy in areas. An older piece (1990's vintage) from this interesting skarn, the size, color and overall quality make this an especially great addition to any fine Apatite suite or single crystal collection.
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