Dolomite - iridescent
stock #20.1-814
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
3 x 2.4 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $120
new year 2021
An unusual and attractive thumbnail of Dolomite crystals from Tsumeb with iridescent sheen. An older piece originally labelled "Cobaltoan Dolomite, Tsumeb SWA", however, this does not look at all like the usual Cobalt coloring and doubt the accuracy of that. This is however unusual looking for Tsumeb the crystals are sharp, slightly curved and have reddish-purple highlights.
Small miniature of well-formed, transparent elongated Smithsonite crystals from the great Tsumeb Mine. Remarkably this delicate specimen is perfect, no damage seen even under good magnification. In person these are very glassy and have a faint hint of yellow color, and at some angles the reddish matrix seen through the crystals gives a pink hue. I would call this close to colorless. Tsumeb was the source of so many colors, habits and associations for Smithsonite. This piece is really esthetic, it has a little Galena on the back side but the front is all nice Smithsonite.
Dioptase
stock #15.1-1037
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
7.3 x 4.8 x 2.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1500
Spring 2020
A very fine deep emerald green Dioptase from Tsumeb with the intense color that can not be done justice on a computer. Wet-look luster and sharp transparent crystals densly cover the matrix plate. No damage and far better in person. Tsumeb Dioptase is known as a bit different from that found any place else. When at its best it is the most intense color in the world. This has that color. Ex. Charles M. Noll collection, from the heyday of the mine, mid seventies vintage.
A fine thumbnail of Anglesite showing the entire crystal form perched on a sliver of matrix, from Tsumeb.
This habit of Anglesite with the zoned dark inclusions is distinctive. In fine condition, no damage can be found even at 20X magnification. One end of the crystal has both Pyrite and Galena in small crystals and masses on the exterior faces, the other end is uncoated except for some micro Cerussites (white) not seen without good magnification. There are dark inclusions of what is most likely Galena seen at several places but mostly near the terminations as dark zones. The matrix here is mostly a druse of small Anglesites that are black, lustrous and thickly included with Sulfides. A choice Tsumeb piece and a nice Anglesite.
An extraordinary, esthetic Tsumeb Azurite with crystals in compound clusters much like flattened rosettes and curved prisms. Presents well from all sides and in perfect, undamaged condition. Similar in some ways to a few specimens we have seen with this habit from the famed Easter pocket, this piece is not attributed to that find but reportedly is from an older discovery. Far better in person, the blue is an intense deep hue that is almost impossible to render on a computer screen.
A delicate and fine Dolomite cast having two separate generations. The large scalenohedral shapes are hollow having just a thin skin of Dolomite that had covered what were likely Calcites, now long gone. The matrix is an earlier generation itself just a thin skin of tiny sparkling crystals. The Dolomite casts from Tsumeb were found in many exotic forms are are very collectable. This one is in perfect condition, esthetic and looks fine from all sides.
Smithsonite with Mimetite
stock #16.1-672
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.2 x 3.2 x 3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $360
Cuprian Smithsonite from Tusmeb fills an open seam on the matrix and has partly covered several golden Mimetite crystals. In fine condition, ex. Loben collection (with label) collected in 1986, close to the end of the Tsumeb era. The Mimetites are the slender pointed type and the overgrowth of the Smithsonite crystals is like a cloak. Great luster and excellent condition, the paragenesis is especially clear on this specimen.
Descloizite
stock #18.1-310
Berg Aukus, Grootfontein District
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.3 x 6 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A superb cabinet specimen of Descloizite crystals in two generations. The larger more recent Descloizite rests on a druze of earlier small orange and red crystals. The larger crystals are arranged in fans, stacks and bundles in extraordinary forms. No damage, sharp and very three dimensional. The worlds best Descloisites all came from Berg Aukus, and these were in many exotic habits and complex twins. The mine is gone and there will be no more, good specimens have become highly desirable and scarce. This specimen is certainly top quality for the specie and locale with very unusual structures. Far better in person, a killer display and the crystalography is amazing.
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