Calcite on Goethite stalactites
stock #25.1-315
Noxon Park Mine, Forest of Dean
Gloucestershire ,
England
9.8 x 6.8 x 5.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
A strange British locality not well-known internationally is the old mines located in the Forest of Sean in Gloucestershire. This specimen was collected in 1977 by Les Hitchings and shows very well the 3-dimensional structure of these Goethite fingers that are covered with sparkling Calcite crystals. The Calcites range from colorless to red and nearly black due to the color of the matrix below. In fine condition and nice on all sides and angles. An attractive British material we do not see often in the market, this example is the most esthetic I have seen.
These Calcites were called pineapple style when they were found at the famed Shangbao Mine (Hunan, China) in the 2001-2005 era. Calcite crystals with a remarkable pineapple color and a slightly visible inner phantom. The Calcites are on a minimal matrix which is a mix of both Fluorite and Quartz with a few tiny Pyrites. In very nice condition overall, some minor edge scuffs are noted but still displays very well. This also keeps the price relatively low for one of these. The pineapples are quite distinctive for this locale, it is unlike any Calcite from other localities and the contrast with the few small purple Fluorites is a nice bonus.
Calcite - classic English
stock #13.1-185
Pallaflat Mine, Bigrigg, West Cumberland Iron Field
Cumbria,
England
4.2 x 4 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $700
Fine transparent Calcite crystals from long ago in good condition. The Pallaflat Mine in the old Cumbrian Iron Mining area was famed for these Calcites. The mine worked from 1874 to 1914, although a few good specimens were found later on the dumps, the best of these Calcites came from deep underground and are over a century old. Not quite perfect, one crystal has a tiny tip contact but the rest are perfect. Remarkably fine for such an old and delicate mineral specimen. This displays well from several angles.
Calcite - triangular crystals
stock #4.2-295
Guiyang
Guizhou Province,
China
9.6 x 6.1 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $140
Spring 23
Stacked and clustered Calcite crystals with triangular cross sections and triangular faces. In excellent condition as seen only some bruising to note on outside edge and backside contact. The color is a salmon pink to orange hue. From a small quarry in Guiyang the specimen has a second generation of tiny Calcite crystals on the lower faces of the main crystals.
Quartz on Calcite on Aurichalcite
stock #17.1-557
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
7.3 x 5.7 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring 23
An unusual specimen ex Les Hitchings collection, obtained in 1963 as noted in his ledger; one of his earliest pieces. This is quite different from more recent pieces and has a fine composition overall. The Calcite and Quartz have a light mint-green color caused by the underlying copper minerals. A small area of Aurichalcite is noted on the matrix. The taller fingers or towers grade to a white to pale yellow color at the tips. Overall in excellent condition, the sparkle and luster are excellent. This dates back to the early years of Mexican mineral specimens being exported to the USA.
Glassy transparent crystals of Calcite with well-defined phantoms of red Hematite. A classic from Tsumeb, this is an especially bright and colorful example. The outer edges show the breaks where this was removed from the host rock but the core of the specimen is in very good condition, only minor edge scuffs are seen on close exam. The included Hematite seems to be in two different generations, some darker clouds are a brown-red color while the sharply defined phantoms are more red and form thin lines. A choice example of this from this classic locality. Looks better in person.
Calcite (pineapple type)
stock #15.1-822
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
11 x 5.1 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $780
Post Tucson 2022
A thin shard on matrix hosts a doubly terminated Calcite crystal with the famed "pineapple " habit. From the Shangbao Mine (Hunan, China), these were found some 15 years ago and only rarely seen since. This crystal is large for the style at 5.2 CM tall and is translucent to transparent. No damage or chipping, a very choice piece ex.collection of Doug Ervin, a modern classic and very esthetic.
Calcite - old English
stock #21.1-288
Haile Moor Mine, Haile, Copeland
Cumbria,
England
4.7 x 3.2 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
An esthetic cluster of glassy, translucent reddish- pink color Calcites from Cumbria, England. Old labels from the collection of Marie Osbonlighter and Robert Eaton are included. This Calcite is vividly Fluorescent. Most of the colorful Calcites from this region were found long ago the majority were colorless. The Haile Moor Mine is known to have produced some Calcites with Hematite inclusions that give a reddish color like this. An attractive miniature from most any point of view. Overall in fine condition though there is one cleave on a crystal that is visible at some angles (shown in these photos) but is clearly not distracting or easily noticed.
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