Chalcocite - classic habit crystals from new find
stock #23.1-657
M Passa Mine, Mindouli District
Pool Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
7.3 x 6.4 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Pre Tucson
This specimen is almost all Chalcocite, well-crystalized and with just a little green Copper oxidation giving a nice contrast. The Chalcocite look just like the old classics of Cornwall or Bristol but are from a new find made about 2 years ago in the Congo. All the crystals are in parallel alignment and the condition is excellent as seen. A very choice example from this remarkable discovery.
Dioptase
stock #21.1-192
Sanda Hills, Mindouli, Mindouli District
Pool Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
2.4 x 1.4 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $490
New Year 22
A very bright "treelike" Dioptase thumbnail in fine condition. From the recent finds in former Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) which had produced some excellent specimens, some of which, like this one, have unusual yet eye-catching esthetics. In excellent condition, the tiny spray of Dioptase crystals on the display side are all well-terminated and undamaged. The backside has some contacts but still no damage.
Fornacite on Dioptase (Type Locality)
stock #20-FC-115
Reneville Mine, Reneville Kindanba District
Pool Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
4 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $1600
Spring 2020
Fantasticly rich, dense clusters of Fornacite crystals on Dioptase crystals. Fornacite is a rather rare mineral but nearly always seen just as micros with very small isolated crystals. This is an amazingly rich specimen with eye visible crystals in groups that are up to 2.5 CM across! The matrix is an attractive mix of Dioptase crystals and balls of Plancheite. The crystals are lath shaped and many are free standing, most are a dark olive green ranging to as brownish yellow with backlight. Under strong magnification a few dark green balls are seen that may be Mottramite but are not identified. From the type locality, this is a superb and important piece for this rarely displayed mineral. None of us have ever seen any piece with so much of the specie and so easily seen.
