A small slab section of Rhodochrosite stalactite with good red color and complete all around. This shows the radiating crystal structure or flower-like form and not the usual "bullseye". Looks fine on both sides, this is from the famed Capillitas (Argentina) which is the only place in the world where such things are found.
Hematite pseudo after Magnetite
stock #AX-10-932
Payun Volcano, Altiplano de Payun Matru
Mendoza,
Argentina
4.7 x 3.7 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $150
The Payún Volcano is a very unusual locality and the Hematites from this area are unusual too. This piece is a stack of octahedral crystals that had been Magnetites but are pseudomorphed to Hematite and are now coated with small sparkling Hematite crystals (Specularite type). On some of the octahedral faces it is easy to see the red Hematite crystal surface below the black sparkling crystals. The sculptural form of this miniature piece is quite elegant and there is no damage. This find of Hematites seems to be finished, they will rank as exceptional and are destined to be considered as classics.
Rhodochrosite stalactite
stock #20.1-136
Capillitas Mine, Andagala
Catamarca,
Argentina
7.7 x 3.3 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Spring 2020
A pair of intergrown "stalactite" habit Rhodochrosites with well defined lathlike crystals in stacked arrangement. From the famed mine at Capillitas, which is still the only place on Earth that this form is found. The bottom or base of the pair is broken and shows the concentric banding that is so sought after in the lapidary trade, but the form and larger than average crystals makes this a choice mineral specimen. The color is a pink to orange hue on one edge, the other sides have a secondary coating of a white to grey Manganese oxides. The unusual structure of intersecting fingers makes for an esthetic display piece. In excellent condition, the crystals are undamaged save for the point of attachment.
Chalcedony ps. after Aragonite
stock #AX-12-219
Las Plumas, Martires Dept.
Chubut,
Argentina
6.8 x 6 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $150
Fall 2015
This quite attractive psuedomorph has a lot of good provenance, ex Ed Swoboda, Carter Rich, George Loud, and William Hladyz. The shape of the large Aragonite crystals are sharply preserved and the color looks much like an Agate more so than Chalcedony. This is almost a perfect floater and despite a few very minor chips that are not easy to find the condition is still very fine overall. Classic older pseudomorph not often available and rarely in anything close to this quality and esthetic.
Rhodochrosite
stock #15.1-415
Capillitas Mine, Andagala
Catamarca,
Argentina
4.3 x 4.5 x 1.2 CM (miniature)
price: $330
Post Tucson 2015
A deep, rich red Rhodo showing the fortification structures and crystalline interior of the knob. From the famed Capillitas deposit, this is a vintage specimen from the 1960's that shows the older very deep red not seen in recent finds.
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