Elbaite - blue-green gem crystal
stock #23.1-560
Barra do Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.1 x .8 x.7 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $340
A single very clear gem Tourmaline crystal with a color that is a bit more dark blue than green in most light. The termination is complete with the distinctive etched steps of good Barra do Salinas tips. Bright luster and glows well with backlighting. The costs of any blue Elbaite has gotten very high recently, this is a much more down to earth price and very good value.
Unusually sharp, lustrous (for Columbite) and perfectly terminated, this is a choice single crystal of the specie. Ex University of Delaware Museum, the condition is outstanding especially given the fragility of Columbite. A heavy piece (just over 74 grams despite the small size), a textbook perfect example from the Brazilian pegmatites of Rio Doce.
Quartz included by Dumortierite
stock #22.1-241
Vaca Morta Quarry, Serra Da Vereda, Boquira
Bahia,
Brazil
2.7 x 2.2 x 1.6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $110
Spring 23
Bright blue inclusions of Dumortierite are visible inside and through Quartz crystals. From a find at Vaca Morta (Bahia, Brazil) a very nice example in thumbnail size. The blue color is mostly concentrated on the backside of this specimen along a crystalized contact plane and there is more near the terminations. This color is quite similar to the uncommon Shattuckite inclusions and a bit brighter than Papagoite. A vivid and still affordable Quartz.
SOLD Spessartine - etched gem crystal
stock #SOLD 22.1-353
Navegadora Mine, Penha do Norte, Conseheiro Pena, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.3 x 2.4 x 2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $0
Spring 23
Complete and perfect, a large thumbnail of pure Spessartine with some very tiny spots of Quartz. The geometric structures and crystalline forms on the faces are sharp and complex. No chipping at all on any parts. The color is a rich, vibrant red and the luster is like glass. The finds at Navegadora are sporadic and sometimes years go by between pockets. The value of these as facet gem rough keeps the availability of good pieces for collectors low. This piece from the most recent find is 19.5 grams of choice gem grade that is also with a perfect form. I selected only a few specimens in Brazil from a large lot of freshly dug Garnet, these were the best seen there.
Classic sixling type twin of Rutile crystals epitaxially growing from a Hematite crystal. In very fine condition, this radiating star habit is one of the wonders of the mineral world. These are delicate but not especially fragile, this can be shipped safely.
Good matrix examples of Imperial Topaz are incredibly rare. Most of these crystals are recovered loose, the rare matrix pieces are typically badly broken fragments. This is quite unusual with three distinct gemmy crystals, the largest at 3.6 CM long in a hard ironstone (Hematite-rich sandstone) block. These crystals are also vividly fluorescent with a red to red-orange color, most Imperial topaz does not fluoresce but we have seen some that glow a yellow to yellow-green. On this specimen only one crystal shows a full termination and there is damage as seen, so this is not a display specimen for perfectionists but it is still impressive and very uncommon.
Rose Quartz
stock #17.1-643
Alto da Pitorra, Laranjeiras, Galleia, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.3 x 3.9 x 2.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1200
Spring 23
Cluster of terminated rose Quartz crystals with very good color and transparency. An older piece from the Alto da Pitorra (Brazil) with most crystals having a slight divergence though mostly in parallel growth. In very good condition, the main terminations are sharp and undamaged, there is a contacted area on the back but not seen on display. Rose Quartz crystals are not known from very many localities and large, fine crystals like this are very rare indeed. Choice.
Quartz with inclusions
stock #23.1-327
Buenopolis
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.1 x 5 x 3.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Spring 23
Something very unusual, a polished Quartz prism that shows off inclusions that look like a flock of white birds. We usually do not handle this sort of polished specimen, but for this we have made an exception. Super clear, well-polished, flawless Quartz with white inclusions that are mostly disk shaped and wispy. Ex Les Hitchings collection, he obtained this in Brazil in 1989. I have never seen another like it.
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