Pyromorphite - vintage classic
stock #AX-35-145
Wheatley Mines, Pheonixville
Pennsylvania,
United States
5.9 x 3.3 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
New Year 22
A small cabinet of bright drusy Pyromorphite from the famed Wheatley mine (Pennsylvania, USA). The matrix is typical for the mine, the crystals have the dark olive green color that is distinctive to the locale. This specimen is from the collection of WG Levison but unfortunately does not retain any of his labels. This dates to the 1890 era in the collection but the specimen is likely much older, as the mine had closed in the 1860's. The the crystal coverage is quite rich even though the individual crystals are small. With magnification most of these are seen as transparent, sharp and very lustrous.
A vuggy matrix hosts several Cerussite crystals, most of which are twinned, and a few other secondary lead species. A rich piece from the Brookdale Mine which in the Phoenixville, Pennsylvania area which also included the famed Wheatley Mine. Good specimens from the Brookdale Mine are much less common but they can be very nice as seen here. This specimen was personally collected by John Marshall in March 1972 when the mine was still accessible. His collection label and catalog card is included. A good Northeastern USA classic.
Pyromorphite - US classic locale
stock #16.1-596
Pheonixville, Schuylkill Township, Chester County
Pennsylvania,
United States
5.3 x 4.8 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Early summer 2021
Two generations of Pyromorphite in several vugs and thin cavities on matrix. The larger crystals are the classic dark green that this locality is known for. The smaller crystals are a newer generation, more transparent, slender and a lighter yellow-green. By naked eye this is in excellent condition, with a loupe some damaged crystals are seen, but are not a major impact overall. A few small Calcites are also present. Some of the larger, darker crystals are also arranged in flat fan-like sprays while most are in more typical free standing form.
Zaratite and Chromite - vintage, classic USA
stock #AX-35-164-(1525)
Texas, State Line Chromite Mining District, Lancaster County
Pennsylvania,
United States
4.6 x 4.2 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $280
new year 2021
A fine old "Emerald Nickel" specimen of what was long known as Zaratite, a rare but uncertain composition mineral that may be a mixture and needs more study. This piece from the Wallace G. Levison collection obtained by him in 1895. This also has a rare type of Levison label being fully handwritten and not pre-printed. The specimen clearly shows several shades of green in crusts and tiny transparent blobs. Levison give the locality as the Wheatley Mine in Texas, Pennsylvania but that mine name is likely an error, although this did certainly come from the Texas area in the State Line Chromite Mining district of Lancaster County. A classic and colorful vintage specimen of material that is not often available on the market.
Calcite
stock #13.1-177
York Stone Quarry, York, York County
Pennsylvania,
United States
5.4 x 4.2 x 2.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $120
new year 2021
Transparent Calcite crystals with highly lustrous faces and in choice condition. From the York Quarry which is a famed locality for fine Calcites. This piece has especially good color and the display side is perfect, undamaged, there is a contact and bruise only on the backside not seen in any normal angle. The striations of the faces are very distinct. A very slight melted look is noted on some corners as was common at this locality.
Pyromorphite on Cerussite -Classic
stock #0969-JM-1468
Pheonixville, Schuylkill Township, Chester County
Pennsylvania,
United States
6.4 x 5.1 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $600
An especially fine old Pheonixville, PA Pyromorphite that forms on the outside of a vug of Cerussite crystals. The vug probably is the cast left by altering Galena, but none is present now. The Pyromorphite has very transparent crystsals on close exam and there is a color range too. Ex Schortmans minerals and John Marshall Pyromorphite collection obtained by him from Thurstons in 1988. In quite fine shape overall, it takes good magnification to find and bruises, by naked eye this is perfect. The Cerussite adds a nice association and the whole thing displays well from several angles.
Pyromorphite
stock #14.1-064
Wheatley Mines, Pheonixville
Pennsylvania,
United States
5.5 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Post Tucson 2015
Wheatley Pyromorphite with dark green hoppered crystals and very bright luster. This piece is ex Warren Johansson's collection, Warren sadly passed away this year at the age of 93. This piece is classic in habit and overall look, it is crystallized on all sides with the best face shown here. Minimal damage this is in far better condition than 99% of these and is clearly not "dump collected" but dates from the original mining of the mid 19th century.
An olive green crystal plate from this venerable old locale that is densely covered with free standing crystals. The condition is overall excellent but with magnification some very small damage can be found, mostly at the edges where this was removed. The Pyromorphites themselves show several habits including hoppered and tapered terminations. This specimen is a little lighter in hue than is most Pheonixville specimens, but it has the classic luster that is distinctive.
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