Native Sulphur on Stibnite and Stibiconite
stock #8.AE-653
Kangjiawan (Shuikoushan) deposit, Changning County, Hengyang Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
9.2 x 7.5 x 5.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $140
Fall 22
A complex cluster of Stibnite and Stibiconite crystals that are speckled with tiny bright yellow crystals of Sulphur. Ex Arthur Edwards collection, this specimen came from finds in 2002 that were at first mislabeled as Valentinite on Stibnite. Sulphur like this is an rather rare combination on Stibnite, it is especially attractive on this piece as the contrast is very distinct.
Sulphur - large hoppered crystals
stock #21.1-342
El Desierto Mine, San Pablo de Napa, Daniel Campos Province
Potosi,
Bolivia
6.4 x 3.2 x 2.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $725
New Year 22
Very pure Sulphur in textbook perfect crystals showing aligned prism forms and hoppered faces. Excellent bright yellow color and in undamaged condition, a modern classic. The El Desierto Mine is a rather small operation located on the flanks of a volcano at very high elevation. It has not been worked for a few years and when we visited the locality some time ago it was really inhospitable to say the least. However the best Sulphur specimens in recent decades have come from here. Better pieces like this have vivid canary yellow color, very bright luster and are rather transparent. The color is much brighter than most specimens of the other classic localities (Sicily and Russia) and there is no hint of Petroleum inclusions that are common elsewhere. These large crystals show very clear epitaxial stacking and exceed 5 CM. Choice for the locale and for the specie. Far better than the usual quality from this unusual place.
Sulphur - unusual large skeletal crystal
stock #8.AE-1008
El Desierto Mine, San Pablo de Napa, Daniel Campos Province
Potosi,
Bolivia
5.7 x 3.2 x2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
new year 2021
Very odd, single large etched crystal of Sulphur, complete all around and complexly stepped. Bright color and in perfect condition, this high elevation locality at one time produced a few fantastic world class Sulphur crystals. Sulphur is a common element world wide but there are few good crystal localities. The former mines in Sicily, Russia and Bolivia were the greatest sources and specimens from each are completely different. The legendary Rock Currier was very involved in importing Sulphur specimens from here years ago. When we visited the locality in 2012 it was completely shut down with nobody there. I am not sure if it has worked since. This specimen is from over 25 years ago.
A very attractive (and genuine natural) Sulfur with a sharp, well formed 3.2 CM crystal nicely perched on a Calcite/ Aragonite matrix. There are petroleum inclusions in the Sulfur that prove that this is natural and not one of the common fakes. An older (pre 1960's) piece with great composition, there are some tiny edge chips visible. If perfect the price would be far more, but it is still an attractive, reasonable cost classic mineral specimen.
Excellent large zoned yellow crystals to 3 CM size are clustered in a hemispheric arrangement on a thin matrix. Good clarity with gemmy areas and selective frosting on some faces. In excellent condition despite the age and delicacy of this specimen. A very pretty classic specimen, and far better in person.
From another classic locale this older miniature has well formed orthohombic crystals in an esthetic and oriented arrangement. These mines are long closed and have produced some of the best Sulpher ever found. This is a good example of the crystal form that made this location famous and is affordable compared to most.
