Sussexite on Calcite
stock #24.1-116
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
6.2 x 3.9 x 2 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A very fine and distinctive Sussexite from a very unusual locality, the famed NChwanning Mine of South Africa. The specie is best known from Franklin, New Jersey and is named for the county there. However the New Jersey specimens are normally massive or asbestos form fibrous clusters. This is very different with radiating balls of distinct crystals perched on bladed pink Calcites. This is a fairly rare Manganese Borate mineral almost never seen outside of Franklin, and almost never in attractive specimens. This is a nice exception to that rule. Excellent addition to any suite of Manganese minerals or NChwanning species.
Quartz - with inclusions of red Hematite
stock #AX-11-095
Orange River, Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
5.5 x 1.7 x 1.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $280
Pre Tucson
The occasional finds of red Quartz from the Orange River area of South Africa are well-known in the mineral world. This is a choice example with better than usual color intensity and nice form. Conjoined crystals of Quartz with transparent tops and opaque lower sections that contrast with the bright terminations. In great condition aside from a tiny tip contact that is hard to see with naked eye. This piece is from the last good find that was more than 5 years ago. An excellent value for quality / esthetics to price.
Fluorite - spherical crystals on Quartz
stock #22.1-257
Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Early summer 2023
Fluorite balls on contrasting matrix with smaller gemmy cubes as well. The Fluorites are a deep purple, translucent, and the spheres show well-defined stepping modifications and crystalline structures under magnification. Fluorite balls are known from several localities but it is rare to see the crystal structure that created them, these spheres show very well the modifications that caused these to be round. In excellent condition.
A remarkable and rare habit of Fluorite, this from the Orange River area of South Africa. The larger Fluorite crystals on this specimen are hexagonal stacks of flat crystals which on close examination are seen to be flattened spinel twins with small square edge windows. A second generation of bright yellow Fluorite is encrusting some edges of the blue to purple large Fluorites. Such unusual forms and habits make Fluorite an incredibly diverse example of the cubic crystal system. These are also prized as exotics by Fluorite collectors. In excellent condition on the front and sides, the back is both contacted and partly cleaved which is not visible from the display side. Especially for those who enjoy strange crystal habits this is a choice and attractive specimen.
Rhodochrosite - classic scalenohedral crystals
stock #22.1-359
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
1.7 x 1 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $480
Post Tucson 2022
A small but brilliant red thumbnail of gemmy Rhodochrosite from the N'Chwaning Mine (South Africa). This cluster of crystals has several perfect, complete terminations but there is some cleaving as well seen from one side. Despite many efforts to find more of this quality at the mines, nothing like these has been recovered for many years. These are highly sought after and larger examples are often priced in the mid 4 to 5 figures. This is a small but bright piece at a reasonable cost.
Sturmanite - large stacked crystals
stock #21.1-455
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
7.4 x 4.7 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
New Year 22
Very large and well-defined cluster of Sturmanite crystals with a patina that in some light shows a iridescent color play. Not long ago Sturmanite was a very rare mineral and such huge crystals were unheard of. The great finds from South Africa changed that, but this size and level of quality is still very uncommon. Very impressive in person and now very hard to get.
Jouravskite
stock #21.1-377
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.6 x 1.8 x 1.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $360
New Year 22
Bright yellow crystals of the rare mineral Jourvaskite on matrix. Although small, up to just 1.5mm, these crystals are huge for the specie. Vivid color and in excellent condition. The backside of the matrix is massive Manganite with a thin layer of Rhodochrosite underlying the Jouravskite, Quartz and what seems to be Xontolite. A choice and pretty specimen of a rare mineral; ex Terry Szenics collection.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #AX-14-347
Orange River, Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.6 x 1.4 x 1.3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $145
Late Summer 2021
A cute thumbnail with transparent, colorless Fluorites that have vivid purple cores or phantoms. These are all clustered on two faces of a clear Quartz crystal. The Quartz and the Fluorites are in fine condition. From a find about 4 years ago in the Orange River region (South Africa) this is just barely a thumbnail but will fit in a perky box.
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