Anglesite - gemmy crystal
stock #24.1-187
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
3.1 x 2.6 x 2.1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $290
Bright yellow striated main crystal of Anglesite on a thin matrix of other Anglesites and Galena. A very nice thumbnail from the famed and now classic Touissit Mines of Morocco. The other Anglesites are incomplete and have noticeable edge damage, the main crystal is in better shape overall, the termination is very sharp, but is rough on the lower end. Not for perfectionists but still choice, affordable and a very nice gem grade crystal with fine color and luster.
Malachite replacing Azurite with Dolomite etc.
stock #21.1-329
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
4.6 x 2.8 x 2.3 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Late Summer 2021
A super well-composed specimen with two main Azurite crystals one partly and one fully replaced by Malachite. Touissit is famed for its great Azurites the Malachite replacements are not as often seen. This piece with the largest crystal 3.1 CM tall dominating the matrix looks fine from all sides. No damage and very good contrast to the matrix. The largest crystal has an unaltered termination of lustrous blue Azurite, while the larger prism faces are a velvety chatoyant green Malachite. A few sharp Dolomite crystals also add contrast. At a high magnification a little Brochantite is seen along with some primary Malachite crystals, so this is certainly a complex miniature. The last operations closed in 2002 here, but the most important shafts which were the best specimen sources closed earlier. In a short period, this locality gained worldwide fame as one of the best sources of exceptional Lead and Copper minerals. These are prized today.
SOLD Cerussite - V-twins with cat's-eye
stock #SOLD 21.1-325
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
3.2 x 2.5 1.7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $0
Late Summer 2021
A sharp and lustrous pair of "V" twins are conjoined along one edge. A super large thumbnail from the great mines at Touissit. The crystals are gemmy, transparent, and have the silky chatoyant "cat's-eye" inclusions that are so distinctive for these from Touissit. This is the quality needed to make the rare faceted or cabbed cats-eye gems, but the fine condition of the crystals would make that a real shame to cut. The color ranges from cognac to almost colorless depending on the light angle striking the crystals. Overall in fine condition from most every angle, this is incredible for such a delicate and fragile mineral. Close inspection shows ultra tiny edge roughness and small contacts but as seen the the condition is very clean. This specimen dates to the "golden age" of Touissit mining in the late 1970's era. This incredible locality is closed forever and no more of these will be found.
Wulfenite (fluorescent) with Galena, Calcite etc.
stock #15.1-881
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
8.6 x 7.7 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Early summer 2021
A very unusual and complex specimen from Touissit that is a fine illustration of lead secondary mineral formation. The core of this piece is a highly etched and partly dissolved mass of Galena, showing alteration to several other minerals. Around that is a mass of Calcite and Dolomite that are the matrix of several generations of well-crystalized Wulfenite. The oldest are completely encased in translucent Calcite, the most recent are smaller, more lustrous and vividly fluorescent in long-wave UV. The Galena was of course the source for the lead that was released as it was affected by acidic conditions and which then formed the Wulfenites. Most of the many Wulfenites are complete and perfectly undamaged but there are a few with chipping damage that are not distracting and are almost invisible in the mass of the specimen. Touissit is an amazing locality, though over shadowed by the more famous Tsumeb. It too has incredible variety and complexity to its minerals. This is a very rare fluorescent Wulfenite with just the youngest crystals responding lemon-yellow.
Pyromorphite / Vanadinite
stock #16.1-361
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
6.6 x 4.8 x 4CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Early summer 2021
Touissit is one of the very few localities on earth where all three members of the series of Lead secondary analogues are found (Pyromorphite, Mimetite and Vanadinite). The most common there is the Vanadinite often with high levels of As, the Pyromorphite and Mimetite are much less common. On a few occasions both Pyromorphite and Vanadinite can be determined on the same specimen. This piece has a dense cluster of well-defined crystals up to 7mm and colors ranging from light green through yellow and orange. Zoning is evident too, with grey to brownish caps on some terminations. It seems likely that the zoning is the result of the solid solution series forming composite crystals. In good condition and with attractive form, the crystals are complete with no naked eye visible damage except on one crystal edge on the outside perimeter. This is not seen from most any display angle. The luster is brightest on the tiny crystals and on prism faces, where the larger and terminations are more dull. A very good example of the specie from this important locality, these Pyros are not often available.
Cerussite and Anglesite on Galena
stock #16.1-527
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
8.9 x 7.3 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
new year 2021
Cerussite has an incredibly bright refractive index (greater than diamond) so this plate of gemmy, unaltered crystals is striking in person. From Touissit the condition is superb, the crystals have glassy faces, a multitude of forms and contrast well with the dark matrix. There are a few Anglesite crystals present as well and the matrix is a heavy mass of Galena. Most Cerussite is milky or has an altered surface, but gemmy crystals like this are only found in a few localities (all of which are closed). Impossible to capture the brilliant sparkling in a photo but in person this is really impressive.
Smithsonite
stock #20.1-665
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
8.7 x 4.8 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $220
new year 2021
Choice stalactitic Smithsonite "fingers" with good wet looking luster. From Touissit, which some is best known for its fine Lead and Copper minerals, but this locale also produced some world class Smithsonite. The matrix of this piece is a mix of Galena, Cerussite and Smithsonite so the whole piece is quite heavy. The display side of this piece is composed of hundreds of Smithsonite crystals that have rounded faces and blend together in a botryoidal form. There is some periphery damage where this was removed but overall the condition is very good.
Azurite with Malachite
stock #15.1-974-(SM3480)
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
3.9 x 3 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $450
new year 2021
Perfect prismatic Azurite crystals, the largest 2.8 CM long and doubly terminated. All are composed on an esthetic cluster on a matrix of small Malachite crystals. This is a 360 degree specimen, it displays well from most any angle. The Azurite is also translucent on the edges and, overall, the form and luster are excellent. Ex Charles M. Noll and Jimmie DuFoe collections, this dates back to the "golden age" of the Touissit Mines, which are still famed as one of the greatest Azurite localities of all time. Previous labels are included.
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