Topaz - classic Mexican gem crystals
stock #23.1-559
Tepetate, Municipio de Villa Arriaga
San Luis Potosi,
Mexico
2.5 x 2.1 x 1.3 CM ()
price: $160
A pair of gemmy crystals with good cognac color jut out from the matrix. A classic Mexican habit for Topaz, this is the desired type from the famed Tepetate in San Luis Potosi. An excellent thumbnail that displays super well and is still affordable. Vintage 1970-80 era. These were common and affordable at one time, now we never see new pieces but many older collections still hold some nice ones.
Very fine light yellow-green crystals of Adamite arranged in the "pinwheel" type of radiating spray. A choice miniature in excellent undamaged condition from the classic finds about 20 years ago at Mina Ojuela. Good Mexican Adamites were once rather plentiful but this quality and form were never common. These are now quite hard to find and this is an especially elegant and esthetic piece. The radiating sprays exceed 2 CM across, these contrast with the gossan matrix. Displays well from most any angle, and the matrix is not the ultra fragile, crumbly type.
Amethyst - modern classic
stock #15.1-821
Municipio Las Vigas de Ramirez
Veracruz,
Mexico
7.5 x 3.7 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Early summer 2023
Two fine, gem clear and perfect Amethyst crystals stand on a thin matrix. Ex Doug Ervin collection, this is an older specimen from some of the first modern finds some decades ago. Las Vigas has become very well-known in the mineral world, there have been several outstanding finds from time to time, most being a little different from previous discoveries. Amethysts from Vera Cruz are among the very best of the world. This is a choice piece with especially vivid color and clarity.
Esthetic old miniature with a large number of associated species. Most obvious is the scattering of pink Rhodochrosite rhombs in singles and clusters on Quartz crystals. The dark ball-like structures are rosettes and groups of sharply crystalized Chalcocite. Under magnification nearly all crystals seen are twins and have a flat hexagonal form. These are really fine from most any angle but obviously tiny and best appreciated under magnification. The specimen is is excellent condition as seen, it has a very old label from a French collection which misidentifies the Rhodochrosite as Rhodonite. We checked it. Cananea is a mining locality that has been active since the 1700 era and still has some active sites. Very little is seen today in specimens, pieces like this date back to the pre 1950 era, and can be far older.
Adamite - purple, with Lotharmeyerite
stock #3.1-249
Mina Ojuela, Level 6, Municipio de Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
4.7 x 2.4 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 23
A bubbly gossan matrix hosts a group of lustrous purple Adamite crystals. The purple Adamites at Mina Ojuela are the rarest of colors and practically unknown from anyplace else. This specimen also has some micro crystal clusters of Lothameyerite. The Adamites are translucent to transparent and have some zoning of the color. Often called Manganoan Adamite, these crystals are sharp, well-terminated and contrast well with the matrix. A very good value for a miniature of this usually far more expensive variety of Adamite.
Grossular - 'raspberry' Garnet
stock #10.1-272
Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Sierra Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
8.7 x 5.3 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Spring 23
A large and colorful raspberry Garnet from the specimen mining project of Dennis Beals about 12 years ago. This has a dense cluster of Grossular crystals up to 1.4 CM, ranging in color from bright raspberry to a darker red-purple hue. Excellent luster on most crystals. There is some crystals on the outer edges that are broken and show that the core is quite dark to black inside with the outer skin being the red-purple color. This piece has the Garnets very well-exposed and it is a choice example of the find. The area here in Coahuila was a source of pink and greenish garnets as well as brown Vesuvianites known since the 1950 era. For decades the location was incorrectly given as Lago Jaco, which was deliberate misleading to keep the source private. The early finds were usually rather pale but these later Garnets are far more vibrant.
Quartz on Calcite on Aurichalcite
stock #17.1-557
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
7.3 x 5.7 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring 23
An unusual specimen ex Les Hitchings collection, obtained in 1963 as noted in his ledger; one of his earliest pieces. This is quite different from more recent pieces and has a fine composition overall. The Calcite and Quartz have a light mint-green color caused by the underlying copper minerals. A small area of Aurichalcite is noted on the matrix. The taller fingers or towers grade to a white to pale yellow color at the tips. Overall in excellent condition, the sparkle and luster are excellent. This dates back to the early years of Mexican mineral specimens being exported to the USA.
Mimetite
stock #13.1-145
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
5.3 x 3.7 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Spring 23
A fine "wet-look" Mimetite in elongated balls and fingers covers a contrasting matrix. Excellent color and luster in fine condition. The surfaces have a distinct sparkle as well. From the find about 7 years ago at Mina Ojuela, these look very much like the prized San Pedro Corralitos Mimetite from the 1980 era. As these are a more recent discovery the price for a fine piece like this are considerable less than the older material yet the look is very similar.
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