Very sharp, complete with a rich color. a triangular form crystal that is in fine condition. This form of Rhodochrosite is quite uncommon and was best known in far smaller crystals from the famed Mont Saint-Hilaire. This is however a huge crystal from the 2005-6 finds in China from a limited zone that produced some large flat crystals. Unlike most in the find, this one is complete and undamaged on all the edges and seems to be a floater. Complex small steps and faces are noted on the flat sides and edges, probably the result of dissolution and re-crystallization cycles. Several localities worldwide do have flat habit Rhodochrosites which are very different from the scalenohedral and rhomb crystals that are more typical. However those specimens from most localities are not very distinct as to crystal form, they are rounded much like flat nearly circular disks. This is a very fine exception to the rule, a full sharp triangle.
Smithsonite
stock #18.1-685
Xiafu, Zhoaping Co. Henzoh Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
15.3 x 5.8 x 5.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A fine, large and attractive Smithsonite with the most desired wet-look luster. From a major find in China in 2018-19 these were sold by many as Cadmium Smithsonites. This was huge news at that time and many pieces were sold for very high prices. It now seems few if any are actually true Cadmium-bearing pieces from this find, but they are as in this case still very attractive. The price of this piece is far lower than was asked in the initial offerings. In fine condition, this was sawn on the underside to remove it without damage, the sawn area is not seen on display. Super chatoyant and with great textures, this is a very nice addition to any Smithsonite suite. Better in person too.
Siderite on Arsenopyrite with Quartz
stock #AX-15-254-(C180)
Nandan, Hechi Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
8.3 x 6.1 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $170
Pre Tucson
An unusual and very attractive Siderite from the last finds at the closed mines of Nandan (China). Ex Shields Flynn collection, the Siderites are especially bright and sprinkled on most faces with tiny sparkling Quartz crystals. The Arsenopyrite is also sharp, undamaged and has mirror bright metallic luster. These Siderites are noticeably different from this locality to the more recent find in Inner Mongolia and elsewhere. These crystals average 1-1.5 CM and have a honey yellow to orange hue.
Barite on Calcite with Pyrite
stock #6.2-909
Dachang Ore Field, Nandan
Guangxi Province,
China
4.8 x 4.3 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Pre Tucson
A quite usual and attractive gemmy Barite/Calcite combo from the Nandan area (Guangxi, China). We were at this less well-known mining area in 2004 and a few miners had just found these gem clear Barites, some with "Mercedes" style Calcites. We selected the best 20 pieces or so and quickly sold everything We never could get anymore like this and the mine has been closed for a few years. This piece came back to us recently and is ready for a new home. Like most in the find the Barite is not absolutely perfect, there are micro chips most of which are on the backside. It still looks great from most angles but is not for perfectionists. The Calcites make a great contrast and add a lot of interest. They are white flat discoidal type with dark Pyrite lines that create the Mercedes shape. The color and luster of the Barite are excellent and there are phantoms of dark inclusions that are almost certainly Pyrite. The small bits of damage are certainly unfortunate, (we never did find any without at least a little) but they are not a major distraction and keep the price a lot lower than if this was absolutely perfect. An excellent older vintage Chinese piece. The Nandan area had many small mines that were a very interesting source of polymetallic ores and some great specimen minerals. We miss it!
Pyromorphite
stock #8.AE-888
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
Chile
4.8 x 4 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $330
Pre Tucson
Apple-green Pyromorphite in fine condition from the classic Daoping mine finds of the early 2000 era. This specimen has 4 different habits of unusual crystallization form present and almost none of the common styles. An excellent specimen for a serious suite of Pyromorphites or for odd habits and rare forms. Elongated spindles, stretched wave forms and others are present. In fine condition, this is nicely attractive on a shelf but amazing and complex when examined closely or with magnification.
Hydrozincite - fine specimen, early Chinese find
stock #7.AE-534
Muqiaomian Sn Deposit, Pinggui District, Hezhou Pref.
Guangxi Province,
China
11 x 6.2 x 4.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $700
Spring 23
From a one time find almost 20 years ago, this is a very fine example of the best style of Chinese Hydrozincite. Our information in China gives the locality as the Muqiaomian Deposit (Guanxi, China). We think this to be correct, Mindat lists the locality but has no photos from it. A number of Chinese pieces are on Mindat with this similar morphology but all are attributed to localities in Yunnan Province. Our contacts tell us this is not correct, and it seems there is some uncertainty on the attributions posted in Mindat. As far as we know this is the correct locality for this piece, we obtained it in China in 2009 and sold it shortly after returning. No matter the exact locale, the form is very esthetic, it has well developed fingers, branches and spheres with both a matte luster and a translucent glassy zone. This is a specie we simply do not see anymore from China, even in low quality pieces. Hydrozincite is not usually an attractive mineral but this find had some very pretty specimens, this is far better than most, with no damage at all.
Cerussite - two generations, two colors
stock #7.AE-418
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
9.7 x 8.1 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Spring 23
Superb early (2005) Chinese Cerussite from the famed Daoping Mine. In incredible condition and with great color, luster and form. The larger yellow crystals are often labeled as Chrome Cerussite and the green as Cuprian. We do not know if this is correct at this locality or for sure which elements cause these colors from this mine. No matter the chromophore, the esthetics and condition are very fine on this piece, it is unlike anything found for several years, certainly a modern classic. The largest crystal is 1.7 CM and the yellows do seem to be a later generation, the smaller, earlier crystals are the greens. Cerussite is a fragile mineral, the crystals here are well-exposed and yet are still in fine condition, something remarkable.
Goethite - unusual locality, Chinese
stock #7.AE-486
Nanping, Hechi prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
16.7 x 10.4 x 8.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Spring 23
Large cabinet sized cluster of stalactitic Goethite in a sculptural three dimensional array. In very good condition, this looks fine on all sides, there is a noticeable iridescence in some places and a matte sheen overall. This is an early specimen found over 20 years ago in one of the early waves of Chinese minerals to be exported. Unusual esthetics and presentation. There is nothing like this now in the Chinese mineral market.
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