Fluorite on Muscovite with Quartz
stock #11.1-W29
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.5 x 6.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1600
There are thousands of Fluorites from the great Yaogangxian Mine, but very few are of this caliber. Incredible quality for the size and perfection. A single 4 CM glass clear, undamaged zoned cube sits on a 3 dimensional matrix perfectly. Top quality esthetics far better in person! This stands out from the rest and while it is a bit more pricey than average specimens, this quality is almost impossible to find in China today. The only comparable specimen I saw recently at a show was well over twice this price!
Ferberite with Fluorite and Muscovite
stock #6.2-883
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.8 x 3.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $450
A superb and esthetic Yaogangxian combo piece! The ferberites are razor sharp, super lustrous and undamaged perfectly perched on gemmy glass-like purple fluorite and balls of well crystallized Muscovite. Other than a corner cleave on one fluorite on the outer edge of the right side, this is pristine. For such delicate and slender crystals this is a rarity and certainly of competition caliber. The Ferberite looks a lot like more Azurite at a glance it is so lustrous with the uncommon tabular habit.
It has been several years since any specimens have come from the Chasen Mine, I hear it is fully flooded now. This is a fine example of the quality the mine was capable of producing. A sizable (4 CM) gemmy Fluorite has a rim of epitaxial Dolomite crystals making a "nest" along two edges. This sits on sprays of Mangano calcite that are dusted with micro pyrites. Only very minor chipping that is not distracting, and nice FL as well. There is a little similarity to the material from the nearby Xinghuapu Mine, but the differences are distinctive. Suitable in any collection but especialy good for Fluorite suites or Chinese collections.
Calcite with Stibnite inclusions
stock #8.1-410
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.2 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
A top quality example from a small recent (2008) find of rhombohedral Calcites included by lustrous Stibnite. A few of these were sold in Munich last year but nearly all had damage. We were fortunate to obtain at the source a few fine, esthetic and quite pristine pieces. There have been no more since. These are far more delicate and rare that the material found at Nandan in 1998, I expect these will also become modern classics and quite sought after. The glassy, translucent to transparent rhomb is 5.5 CM wide and has no eye visible damage. Magnification shows only a few rough spots on edges. The Stibnites are clearly visible inside the calcite. Esthetic and displayable from several angles.
Calcite with Stibnite inclusions
stock #8.1-412-GWT
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.8 x 5.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
A fine gemmy calcite well included by shining Stibnites. A very good example from this important small find. The sharpness and clarity are excellent, and the calcite is the largest complete crystal I have seen from this find.
Calcite included by Stibnite
stock #8.1-411 GWT
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
7.1 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A single gemmy flattened rhomb sits on matrix and shows well the Stibnites included and protruding from the crystal. Very sharp, nice color with no noticeable damage but some very minor roughness to edges and contacts on back. Esthetic and eye-catching!
Bournonite on Quartz and Fluorite
stock #6.2-997
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.5 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A very large, lustrous cogwheel type Bournonite (over 5 CM across) that is complete sitting on Fluorite and Quartz crystals one of which penetrates the Bournonite. An exceptional example from Yaogangxian, recognized as the world's best location for this specie. Some of the Fluorite and Quartz have damage especially at the edges of the piece, but overall the condition is superb. This sits upright and perfectly without assistance, and the esthetics are top shelf. Given the fragility of large Bournonite, the quality and completeness of this crystal is even more remarkable. Add the Fluorite for a color accent (and an uncommon association) the whole is highly desirable.
Sphalerite on Quartz with Calcite
stock #6.2-605
Shuikoushan Lead Zinc Mine, Changning, Hengyang Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.1 x 7 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
A very fine, large (3.9 CM) sharp and glassy Sphalerite sits on the matrix of Dolomite coated with Quartz and minor Calcite. When back-lit the Sphalerite glows Orange Red. The crystal is complete with no damage. Very esthetic.