Grossular on Diopside
stock #22.1-342
VAG Mine, Lowell & Eden
Vermont,
United States
3.3 x 3.1 x 2.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $850
Vivid, bright red Garnets are clustered on contrasting dark green Diopside crystals. The famed location of "Eden Mills" (actually Lowell and Eden in Vermont) is the site of the VAG Mine that long ago produced some of the very best Grossular Garnets ever found in the USA. The mine has been closed for decades and certainly will never reopen. Such specimens are now rare and often incredibly expensive if with any sort of decent quality. This is a very nice piece, perfect except for some very tiny rough edge spots on some minor crystals best seen by loupe. By naked eye it seems fully perfect. Bright luster and color, the Garnets have considerable gem transparent areas.
A killer thumbnail of classic rich red garnet contrasting with white Calcite. The source is well-known as Eden Mills (Vermont USA), but the true location is Lowell and Eden Mills. This classic locality had some super intense color Garnets which were usually seen on a dark green diopside matrix. However in the mine most fine Garnets were encased in Calcite which was usually removed with acid to expose the Garnets better. This is an unusual example that has not been acid etched and has a sharp gem Grossular peeking out as if in a blanket of snow. Close exam shows a few tiny Diopside crystals poking out as well. In outstanding condition, despite the small size the display impact is exceptional. It would be easy to further expose the Garnet but to my taste it is great as is. This mine has been closed for decades and these fine Grossular are prized worldwide.
Epidote - Northeastern USA classic
stock #17.1-822
VAG Mine, Lowell & Eden
Vermont,
United States
5.1 x 1 x .9 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $600
New Year 22
A single sharp and glassy Epidote crystal with perfect termination from the famed VAG Mine, (aka Belvidere Mt./ "Eden Mills" Vermont), find made over 35 years ago. This zone produced several very fine crystals including the largest complete Epidotes ever found in the USA (and perhaps the world). This specimen is much smaller than the giants but has no repairs (the big ones were broken). Almost never available except in older collections, this is in perfect condition, partly transparent with well-defined striations.
An American classic. The most desirable of the famed "Eden Mills" garnets are the gemmy red-orange crystals on contrasting green Diopside crystals. This legendary quarry has been closed for decades, this style of Grossular is unique to the lower reaches of the site, it is quite different from anyplace else on earth. This is an especially cute thumbnail the small Garnet is an inter-grown trio of crystals that contrasts well with the matrix. In fine condition damage-wise by naked eye but with good magnification a chip is seen. Not for perfectionists but that keeps the cost well below normal market for a specimen of this sort.
A single, sharp terminated crystal of Epidote. At this locale these are often found to be zoned with Clinozoisite but usually not more than 50% hence the Epidote label. From the long closed now classic locale of the VAG mine in Northern Vermont, USA. A fine clean translucent to transparent crystal in fine shape from the Rodingite zone famed for world class Garnets. Lustrous, undamaged and with distinctive striations, a choice little classic Northeastern US piece.
Quartz - Mt Tabor style tabular, gemmy
stock #19.1-368
Devils Den, Mount Tabor, Rutland County
Vermont,
United States
2.3 x 1.3 x .7 (thumbnail)
price: $110
Small, perfect, gem clear, brilliantly lustrous tabular habit Quartz. From the recently described (May-June 2019 Rocks and Minerals magazine) Devils Den locality. These alpine style Quartz are not often available and are not well known outside the Northeastern USA. An excellent thumbnail example from this location and an attractive Quartz from anyplace. In fine condition as seen.
Quartz- faden, USA locality
stock #19.1-365
Devils Den, Mount Tabor, Rutland County
Vermont,
United States
3.8 x 3 x 1.1 CM (miniature)
price: $85
The faden Quartz from the long known locality of Devils Den, Mt Tabor, Vermont is rarely seen. This site was recently described in the June, 2019 issue of Rocks and Minerals, and illustrates several unusual habits of Alpine style Quartz not often seen in the USA. This tabular transparent Quartz crystal shows a very distinct faden string as well as offset growth structures and recrystallized breaks. Some chipping exists at one end but the rest is undamaged. A nice gemmy transparent Faden from the USA not often available.
Grossular with Diopside
stock #18.1-191
VAG Mine, Lowell & Eden
Vermont,
United States
6.3 x 4.6 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring update
An old and very unusual Vermont Grossular. From the now classic Mt Belvidere (Eden Mills) locale, these Garnets are a rare light orange hue on pale translucent Diopsides. Most Diopside at this location is a deep green and the Garnets are typically more dark red. Collected over 80 years ago this likely came from a quarry area that simply no longer exists. Ex Warren Johannson collection collected in 1937. At this time the locality was not well known and the major finds were many years in the future. Some chips on a few edges but most of the specimen is intact with many perfect crystals. This habit and style is almost never available except in old collections.