Mercurian Tetrahedrite - var. Schwazite
stock #16.1-716
Brixlegg, Schwatz area, Inn Valley, North Tyrol
Tyrol,
Austria
7 x 5.1 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Spring 23
Schwazite is the old name for this rare Mercury-rich Tetrahedrite, from the classic type locality of Schwaz (Austria). This is a well-crystalized specimen of the variety, something almost never seen in the market. Most of the large crystals are in very good condition, though there is some broken bits as seen but minor and forgivable in this fragile specie. The biggest crystal is large for the variety at 1.6 CM across most others are about 1 CM. Recently the name for this specie is proposed to become Tetrahedrite Hg, but for now and for over 100 years it has been Schwazite. Classic, rare and far better than average.
SOLD Emerald - classic Austrian
stock #SOLD 22.FC-028
Habachtal
Salzburg,
Austria
4.9 x 4.2 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $0
Spring 23
A well-exposed gemmy Beryl var. Emerald crystal stands on Talc Schist. The famed Austrian Emeralds found near Salzburg are classics, this one from the Habachtal show the most desirable color and some good gemmy area, most specimens are opaque in this deposit. The area is the only source of Emerald in Europe and has been famed for this over several hundred years.
Tyrol,
Austria
6.3 x 4.8 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Post Tucson 2022
A fine historic specimen of lustrous deep green crystals of Epidote from the Tyrol. This piece was in the noted collection of Alfred Sterns which was sold at auction to the famed US collector Wallace Gould Levison in 1895. This became Levison's specimen number 1604. Both collectors had affixed their handwritten labels to the piece which still exist. The Sterns label seems to date to pre 1860 era but we have no concrete proof of the actual vintage.
The specimen itself is in very good condition as seen, it has clusters of Jackstraw crystals almost 3 cm tall standing above a thin matrix. We do not have a specific locality from Tyrol for the piece since at that time over 130 years ago that level of detail was almost never noted. We will include a photocopy of the relevant page of Levison's handwritten collection ledger as well. This is both a choice quality specimen and a remarkable vintage piece with fine provenance.
Adularia etc. - vintage Austrian
stock #21.1-201
Pragraten am Grobvenediger, Lienz District
Tyrol,
Austria
8.6 x 6.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
New Year 22
A fine old Austrian alpine specimen with well-formed Adularia crystals that have color zoning from what seems to be Hematite inclusions. In excellent condition this comes with vintage European labels, one from Freiberg. Close exam with good magnification also finds tiny crystals of Sphene, Clinochlore and Rutile but these are not evident in a normal display. Presents well for display the Adularia are up to 1.8 CM and undamaged.
Albite - vintage specimen var. Adularia
stock #21.1-078
Greiner (Greinerberg) Finkenberg, Zillertal, Schwatz District
Tyrol,
Austria
4.7 x 3.1 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $80
Late Summer 2021
Gemmy and bright small Adularia crystals in two generations on a thin matrix plate. This specimen comes in an antique handmade display box of cardboard that has had a round hole cut into the top and a glass sheet installed. Old labels are included. The specimen is in excellent condition, the labels reference an early alpine locality now known as the Greiner area of Schwatz, Tyrol. All of the Adularia are transparent on close exam. Unfortunately it is impossible to know the exact vintage of this piece or the names of the early collectors but it is still a very nice antique presentation.
A fine and uncommon example of the As variety of Descloizite known as Dechenite with several vintage labels. The front surface of this specimen is densely covered with sparkling crystals of red orange As-Descloizite. The crystals are quite elongated and most are in fine condition as well. Old labels are included from Julius Bohn (Vienna, dealership begun in 1884), W Mauncher (Munich 1870-1930) and an unattributed Italian. Choice, historic and unlike "normal" Descloizite!
Salzburg,
Austria
7.1 x 5.4 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1100
new year 2021
Lustrous crystals of Epidote fill an open cavity on a matrix that also hold masses of Byssolite. A big stack of old labels come with this piece. It was last in the John Marshall collection but dates back through many other owners perhaps also including the famed Lechner collection (Austria), certainly over a century old, the quality is excellent. The original labels and documents all give just Salzburg as the locale, but this certainly looks a perfect match for Kappenwand, but that is not confirmed. Regardless the exact spot this came from the piece displays well, is better in person. With good lighting the dark green to yellow color is more evident.
Galena, Cerussite and Wulfenite -Classic
stock #16.1-704
Bleiberg District, Gailtaier Alpen and Karnische Alpen
Carinthia,
Austria
7.5 x 6.8 x 6.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
From the type locality area for Wulfenite, this is a very choice, classic Lead secondary specimen. About a dozen distinct octahedrons of Galena are sparkling with hundreds of Cerussite crystals scattered on the faces. The spaces between the Galenas are full of orange to red Wulfenites in a blocky form. One of the great classic mineral localities, important since the early 14th century. In 1556 Agricola described the locality and methods in his famed "De re Metallica" . The mines closed for good in 1993, but left a great legacy of minerals and helped develop many methods in use today. This specimen is in remarkable condition, is far more attractive in person and a fine display quality Galena much better than most seen in collections from here.
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