Exceptional with no excuses, a superb Fizelyite from type locale. Especially esthetic for this rare Silver Lead and Antimony specie, this is In incredible condition. Delicate and sharp crystals cover a complex Sulfide matrix on all sides giving many dispaly options. The metallic luster is bright bright and the complexly intergrown crystals are up to 8mm. Several well formed Spherosiderite balls are scattered on some faces adding a nice contrast. These are classics and almost never available in such size and quality, The mines have been closed for decades. The very best of this specie was found some time ago in Herja, no other locale has had such sizable and well defined crystals. An excellent addition for a Silver specie suite or any collection of fine Romanian minerals.
Very fine Rhodochrosite on Quartz from the famed Wallace Gould Levison (NYC, USA) collection obtained by trade in 1894 from a Mr. Gruzig. The large matrix holds an open cavity with Rhodochrosite balls and sparkling small crystals mixed with Quartz. The original locality listed in Levisons collection ledger calls the locality Sieben Geberge in Hungary. He later amended his label to Felsobanyo, Hungary. This is now Baia Spirie, Romania. This period was a dynamic epoch in the Austrio-Hungarian Empire, so localities were often renamed as borders, languages and nationalities changed. No matter the locality changes, this is a very well-formed specimen in excellent condition. The original Levison handwritten label is attached to the piece, and we also include a photocopy of this page from his collection notes/ ledger. Levison was an important American mineral collector and inventor (first patented movie camera etc). This piece is his number 1407 from a collection that eventually reached over 5,500. In addition to being an attractive specimen this has well-documented provenance and a good historic pedigree. Better and a little more vivid in person.
Sphalerite - triplet macle
stock #21-FC-010
Baia Mare
Maramures,
Romania
4.3 x 2.4 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $390
New Year 22
A sharp, textbook perfect triplet or macle twin of Sphalerite on contrasting Dolomite. From the classic Romanian locale of Baia Mare, this is highly lustrous in person. The main twin is a prominent 1.8 CM triangle nicely centered in the center of this cute miniature specimen. Sphalerite is a mineral that is very often twinned, but this habit of triple joining is quite unusual.
Multi-specie specimen with at least 8 minerals present, the most significant being a cluster of Semseyite from this type locality. This is a complex matrix holding milky Quartz crystals that are surrounded by Siderite and Pyrite. Semseyite in radial form sits on one edge and Galena, Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite and Dolomite are evident too. Baia Sprie is the type locality for Semseyite, but it was more more commonly found at Baia Mare. Semseyite is fairly rare at Baia Sprie. Long known as Felsobanya, this locale had been mined since the 14th century, so by any definition the locality and this specimen are classics. The mines have all been closed since 2006. Ex Ernie Schlichter, this is a good example and especially interesting with magnification.
A superb and very hard to find Barite with the sharp color zoning of red to orange Realgar inclusions that makes remarkable phantoms. This classic mine has been closed now for a long while, there will never be more of these and there were never many. Most of the Realgar included Barite found was not so transparent and the red color filled the entire crystal. This piece has excellent clarity and the inner zoning is very sharp and well-defined. Overall in fine condition for such thin and delicate crystals, these are also far larger and better isolated than most crystals. There are very small rough areas as seen in the photos but this is never the less a superb display specimen, and a standout in any suite of Barites.
Stibnite
stock #9.1-247
Cavnic
Maramures,
Romania
6.7 x 5.2 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring 2020
An esthetic classic Romanian Stibnite crystal cluster with colorful patina on several crystals. This is a radiating group of metallic crystals that is damage free and looks good on all sides. This is an older specimen (30 years or more) from the Cavnic mines that have been closed for a few years. These older stibnites are unique in their habit and look and are clearly recognizable being unlike those from other localities.
Berthierite w. Stibnite
stock #AX-12-320
Herja Mine, Chiuzbala , Baia Mare
Maramures,
Romania
15.7 x 6.2 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1700
Spring 2019
A super, large display specimen of a specie that is not often considered as a display-worthy mineral! A brushy tree like spray of well defined Berthierite with fine steel- grey color and very bright luster. In perfect condition and good looking on all sides, this is an older piece from the Herja Mine, ex Carter Rich and William Hladysz. This area of Romania produced what are by far the worlds best of the specie and this is a top percentile specimen that is certainly among the very best pieces. Now that the mines are closed this is certainly to be considered a classic. Much better in person.
For many collectors, the most desirable Barites (Baryte) are the rare, classic Romanian specimens colored bright red by Included Realgar. This is a choice old specimen in excellent condition with delicate orange-red Barites on contrasting matrix. The crystals show sheaf-like bundles and rosettes well separated from the matrix and free standing. Crystallized on both sides this has very strong display impact. Almost impossible to find today even average specimens have become very expensive.
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