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.
A complete and perfect elongated crystal of Pyrrhotite is perched on a complex crystalized matrix. The Pyrrhotite looks very much like two crystals side by side but is in fact a single crystal. Fine stepped growths and silky patina on all sides of the specimen. The Galena and Sphalerite are both very lustrous and the whole piece is damage-free. An older specimen from Dalnegorsk, this is vintage about 1996.
Quartz with Hedenbergite inclusions and Andradite
stock #8.AE-920
Sinerechenskoe, Kavalerovo mining district, Primorsky Krai
Far Eastern Region,
Russia
5.2 x 3 x 2.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $220
Late Summer 2021
A nice combination specimen of dark green (nearly black from some angles) Quartz clustered on Andradite. The Garnets are tiny sparkling orange color and make a nice contrast. In very good condition as seen, the Quartz shows the classic form where it gets wider toward the termination, yet is not a scepter. Presents well from several angles with a good balance.
Orpiment and Barite
stock #8.AE-976
Elbrusskiy Arsenic Mine, Elbrus Mt
Kabardino-Balkaria,
Russia
9.4 x 6.8 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
Rich color and sparkling luster from red-orange Orpiment crystals that form a mound on this cabinet sized specimen. There are several white to clear Barite crystals scattered on the Orpiments adding a nice contrast. These are mostly rather small but reach up to 1 CM. With magnification the Orpiment crystals are very gemmy sharp prisms but by naked eye it is just a glittering carpet of tiny red crystals. The specimen is sawn on the bottom from when it was removed from the host rock but that is not visible. As a result it sits well for display on its own. The outer edges of the Orpiment are a yellow to orange color and several radiating fans or bursts of the crystals form the outer edges of the more red core of this piece. This find was quite important and was made in 2002, The intense color of these Orpiment was unusually vivid and it seems these are color stable as well so they are still vibrant. Not often available now, this discovery seems to have been unique in its character.
Cuprite with Miersite and Marshite
stock #10.1-085
Rubtsovsky Mine, Rubtsovshy District
Altaiskii Krai,
Russia
4.3 x 3.7 x 2. CM (miniature)
price: $875
Early summer 2021
This is mostly a fine Cuprite specimen with a main octahedron over 3 CM across, which is very sharp and defined. There are several other smaller crystals and between them are some excellent small crystals of Miersite that are bright yellow, gemmy and well-formed. The Marshite is smaller and less distinct but still a nice addition. From the great find at Rubtsovskly Mine in 2010, these were instant classics when found. The Cuprite is especially lustrous and has geometric growth structures well displayed on the larger faces. Aside from the unavoidable broken area where this was removed, the specimen is perfect, the main crystals are in undamaged condition and are in textbook forms.
Pyrrhotite with Galena
stock #19.1-784
Dalnegorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
5.7 x 5.3 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Early summer 2021
A bright metallic, flat crystal of golden Pyrrhotite that is perched on a little Galena. From the prolific finds at Dalnegorsk, this looks nice from either side, and is in very good condition. The crystal is undamaged, has no chips but is contacted and recrystallized on one edge. The wide flat face shows some multiple stepping as well. The crystal has some patina and slightly variegated luster.
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