Fluorite - spherical crystals on Quartz
stock #22.1-257
Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Early summer 2023
Fluorite balls on contrasting matrix with smaller gemmy cubes as well. The Fluorites are a deep purple, translucent, and the spheres show well-defined stepping modifications and crystalline structures under magnification. Fluorite balls are known from several localities but it is rare to see the crystal structure that created them, these spheres show very well the modifications that caused these to be round. In excellent condition.
Ajoite in Quartz - modern classic
stock #23.1-164
Messina Mine, Messina District
Limpopo Province,
South Africa
5.3 x 5.2 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $920
Spring 23
Two joined Quartz crystals with very distinct and vibrant inclusions of blue-green Ajoite. These are fully natural crystals which is quite rare (very often faces were polished or ground down to show the inclusions better). This has no such alterations, polishing or repairs of any sort and the crystal tips are sharp and complete. A custom made Acrylic display base is included as well. There have been no new finds of Ajoite like this for more than 15 years, these have become highly prized and usually very expensive. An excellent value for a modern classic.
A remarkable and rare habit of Fluorite, this from the Orange River area of South Africa. The larger Fluorite crystals on this specimen are hexagonal stacks of flat crystals which on close examination are seen to be flattened spinel twins with small square edge windows. A second generation of bright yellow Fluorite is encrusting some edges of the blue to purple large Fluorites. Such unusual forms and habits make Fluorite an incredibly diverse example of the cubic crystal system. These are also prized as exotics by Fluorite collectors. In excellent condition on the front and sides, the back is both contacted and partly cleaved which is not visible from the display side. Especially for those who enjoy strange crystal habits this is a choice and attractive specimen.
Rhodochrosite - classic scalenohedral crystals
stock #22.1-359
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
1.7 x 1 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $480
Post Tucson 2022
A small but brilliant red thumbnail of gemmy Rhodochrosite from the N'Chwaning Mine (South Africa). This cluster of crystals has several perfect, complete terminations but there is some cleaving as well seen from one side. Despite many efforts to find more of this quality at the mines, nothing like these has been recovered for many years. These are highly sought after and larger examples are often priced in the mid 4 to 5 figures. This is a small but bright piece at a reasonable cost.
Sturmanite - large stacked crystals
stock #21.1-455
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
7.4 x 4.7 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
New Year 22
Very large and well-defined cluster of Sturmanite crystals with a patina that in some light shows a iridescent color play. Not long ago Sturmanite was a very rare mineral and such huge crystals were unheard of. The great finds from South Africa changed that, but this size and level of quality is still very uncommon. Very impressive in person and now very hard to get.
Jouravskite
stock #21.1-377
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.6 x 1.8 x 1.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $360
New Year 22
Bright yellow crystals of the rare mineral Jourvaskite on matrix. Although small, up to just 1.5mm, these crystals are huge for the specie. Vivid color and in excellent condition. The backside of the matrix is massive Manganite with a thin layer of Rhodochrosite underlying the Jouravskite, Quartz and what seems to be Xontolite. A choice and pretty specimen of a rare mineral; ex Terry Szenics collection.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #AX-14-347
Orange River, Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.6 x 1.4 x 1.3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $145
Late Summer 2021
A cute thumbnail with transparent, colorless Fluorites that have vivid purple cores or phantoms. These are all clustered on two faces of a clear Quartz crystal. The Quartz and the Fluorites are in fine condition. From a find about 4 years ago in the Orange River region (South Africa) this is just barely a thumbnail but will fit in a perky box.
Olmiite (Poldervaartite)
stock #8.AE-945
N Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Manganese Filed
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.9 x 2.8x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $180
Late Summer 2021
A cute thumbnail of what was once a very rare mineral. This find was very important and large, the mineral was no long incredibly rare and it was also realized most of these were actually more accurately identified as another rare mineral, Olmiite. The South African discovery was and is the world's best and for all practical purposes the only locality for good specimens. This piece has a nice 1.8 CM crystal with the faces showing complex modification so it looks stepped and rounded. In fine condition, the color seems to vary depending on the light source from a brownish to orange hue. The matrix is a thin plate with a druse of clear Calcite crystals.
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