Fluorite - unusual Brazilian
stock #22.1-011
Vicente Marinha, Mantena
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.3 x 2.2 x 2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $550
A fine single crystal of glassy Fluorite on a tiny bit of matrix. This is from a small find almost 3 years ago at a little known pegmatite locality Vincente Marinho in Minas Gerais, Brazil. In excellent undamaged condition with perfect, sharp corners, edges and some color zoning. The wide faces also have geometric growth structures that are aligned at 45 degrees from the face edges. These can be seen in the reflected highlights of some photos. A very nice Fluorite from anyplace and quite exceptional from Brazil, the color and luster are also unusual for a Brazilian specimen.
Beryl var. Heliodor - new find
stock #25.1-166
Ponto do Marambaia, Padre Paraiso Area, Carai
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.3 x 2.1 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $750
A fine etched gem grade crystal of Heliodor that is like a yellow ice sculpture. Complete all around, no damage and with excellent color. The luster like a bright etched glass. Looks fine on all sides, this is from a new find made in late 2024, from the famous Padre do Paraiso area from a new mine - the Ponto do Marambaia. A fine miniature gem crystal!
Apatite with Albite - new find
stock #25.1-171
Serrinha Mine, Medina
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.3 x 2.9 x 3.3 CM (miniature)
price: $350
From a new find in late 2024, a doubly terminated Apatite crystal perched on Albite crystals. From the famed Medina area pegmatite zone, the luster is mostly glassy and the translucent to transparent crystal is 2 CM long. With strong backlight this is a bright green to yellow color and glows well (these photos are not backlit). In more normal lighting the crystal is a dark green to brownish hue. A crack is noted in the crystal on close exam, however it is natural and stable, not evident on display. No repairs or damage to note. This is also strongly fluorescent.
Aquamarine Beryl with hollow tubes
stock #18.1-427
Padre Paraiso, Jequitinhonha Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.1 x 1.2 x 1 CM (miniature)
price: $440
A complete and unusual Beryl crystal with glassy faces, sharp termination and a central hollow tube running inside the crystal. There are several other tubes parallel to the main one as well but the central tube is the largest opening in the middle of the termination. From finds made about 25 years ago at Padre ParaĆso, this is in perfect undamaged condition. This is certainly clear enough to be gem facet grade but the internal tubes are not always desirable unless making an exotic type cut. This has saved this from cutting and a very nice specimen for those who appreciate the unusual!
A killer small miniature with perfect form and sharp termination. From a small find in late 2023 at Corinto in Brazil, the color, luster and balance is first class. Selected from hundreds of specimens, this piece stands out and has a strong display impact despite the small size.
A hefty blue Topaz with very good natural color and 188 grams weight. Mid 1960 era vintage crystal, this is quite glassy and has several transparent gem sections. However the crystal is cleaved as seen and has noticeable damage especially on backside / edge so it is a far less expensive piece yet still looks rather nice. This crystal was spared cutting (there is a lot of gem rough inside) and resided in an East Coast collection for nearly a half century. True blue Topaz (not treated or irradiated) is rare world-wide and this more vivid blue color is further limited to a very few localities. Not a piece for perfectionists, but a big and colorful gem crystal at below the gem-rough value for a collector who appreciates color.
Elbaite - gem tourmaline
stock #24.1-303
Cruzeiro Mine, Sao Jose de Safira
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
5 x 1 x .8 CM (miniature)
price: $1300
From the now famous "Lollipop Pocket" at Cruziero Mine, a vivid red to green crystal. This find was remarkable for the intense colors of the red tips in contrast to the green zones. The larger specimens were immediately prized and sold for impressively high prices. There were a few smaller crystals that were much more affordable yet were still choice and representative of the find. This is one of those and a good value, the find was made a few years ago in the Cruziero number 3 workings and was the last of the great finds from that legendary locale. This is in excellent condition, has intense color and some stepped side crystallization as well. This crystal also has the unusual tri-zone coloring, with the bright red termination going to a green zone, with hints of yellow, then returning to a red hue at the base.
Elbaite - Etched scepter crystal
stock #24.1-243-(DK)
Barra do Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.1 x 1.6 x 1.4 (thumbnail)
price: $2990
A very sharp, gem clear and vivid color scepter Tourmaline of the type that made Barra do Salinas famous. This is an older piece and in person far more gemmy and bright than most that are on the market today. It is certainly competition grade and stands out from most others of this material. The stem is well-etched and is also transparent seen through the complex striations. Super esthetic with a bright green cap that contrasts beautifully with the white, pink and red stem. This is still small enough to be a thumbnail but just barely. It is complete, undamaged, doubly terminated and has a display impact much bigger than the small size.