home

minerals
new arrivals
browse list
search/filter

ordering

news

about

links

contact

 

 

catalog listings

search/filter
 

search
116 specimens listed
Page   ‹ Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Next › |

Fluorite - gem-clear modified cubes
stock #8.1-139
Xianghuapu Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Prefecture
Hunan Province, China
6.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Post Tucson 2022

Perfect, sharp and glass-clear cubes of mint green Fluorite from the incredible finds in 2005 at Xianghuapu (Hunan, China). At that time there was so much green Fluorite coming out from this area of China that there was little notice when some especially fine pockets were found. The better pieces from that era are now much more respected and desired, the top specimens are indeed very fine. This example is that sort of perfect, undamaged and gem-clear Fluorite that has ice like stepped cubes that are absolutely transparent. This is so glassy and clear it is hard to photograph but in person it is outstanding. Although these are now getting more expensive, they remain a very good value for quality to price. There has not been new material of this sort for a few years.

Sphalerite with Quartz
stock #4.2-421
Rucheng Mine, Caojia, Nuanshui, Chenzhou
Hunan Province, China
6.2 x 5.1 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Post Tucson 2022

A large, complex crystal of Sphalerite with a "crown" of clear Quartz crystals. This is a rather old specimen from a find in China in 2003 at the Rucheng Mine which is very close to the larger Shuikoushan operation and I am told may now be linked to it underground. The Sphalerites found at both these localities are of great importance and are impressive. The Rucheng area was noted for larger and often complex crystals like this with sizable Quartz where the Shuikoushan operations had smaller Sphalerites, lighter red color and druzy Quartz. This Sphalerite is dense and opaque except at the very outer thin edge. It is a deep brown color with some red and yellow highlights in spots and a small amount of Chalcopyrite as well. In good condition, there is no obvious damage but a few small rub points can be found, the Quartz is contacted in the back. We've seen nothing new from this locality for a few years and the mine has been idle for a while.

Pyrrhotite with Chalcopyrite coating
stock #21.1-344
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
5.2 x 4.8 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
New Year 22

An uncommon and attractive Yaogangxian specimen. Lustrous iridescent Chalcopyrite covers most of a stack of flat hexagonal crystals of Pyrrhotite. Only on a few edges are the original golden metallic Pyrrhotite crystals visible. In excellent condition, what may look like bruising on some edges is actually perfect and sharp. The multicolor patina on the Chalcopyrite is bright and sparkling which is both esthetic and very different for this famed locality. Individual Pyrrhotite hexagons are up to 5 CM across yet are unusually thin at just 2-3 mm on average. A choice Chinese Sulfide!

Stibnite
stock #21.1-303
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi Pref.
Hunan Province, China
6.1 x 4.7 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
New Year 22

A sharp pair of interlocking sprays of Stibnite crystals. Bright metallic luster and patina, there is no matrix, just Stibnite crystals with several types of termination. In excellent condition from a find in 2012 at Xikhuangshan. In person the "gunmetal" bluing effect is pronounced.

Fluorite on Quartz
stock #6.2-440
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
5.1 x 4.5 x 3.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $180
Early summer 2021

Mint-green cubo-octahedral crystals of transparent Fluorite on contrasting Quartz crystals. The Fluorites have some slightly frosted faces and are well isolated and perched well up from the orange and white Quartz. In excellent condition from the 2005 era finds at Xianghualing. These are no longer coming on to the market and they represent a very attractive yet still affordable display specimen. Looks fine from several angles.

Calcite (pineapple type) on Fluorite
stock #7.AE-426
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province, China
5 x 3.9 x 3.3 CM (miniature)
price: $240
Early summer 2021

The "pineapple" type Calcite from the Shangbao Mine were found in the 2004-7 era but not seen in more recent mining. These were mostly translucent to transparent and the color looks just like pineapple. This piece is a single doubly terminated crystal on etched Fluorite that is both light purple and blue. In good condition overall, there are some very small contact points and rough spots but no chipping or real damage. This is in remarkable shape for one of these as most have considerable damage. An attractive Shangbao specimen and a very good example of this very cool habit.

Galena on Quartz
stock #AX-15-146-(C100)
Rucheng Mine, Caojia, Nuanshui, Chenzhou
Hunan Province, China
8.6 x 6.4 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Early summer 2021

With all the great Lead minerals that are found in China it is surprising how uncommon are good specimens of Galena, the most common lead mineral. This is a nice Galena from anyplace and super fine from China, with two textbook perfect crystals on a bed of milky Quartz. Ex Shields Flynn collection, obtained from Bert Ottens, this is a 2004 vintage specimen with the largest crystal 2.6 CM across. The two crystals are both of different habits, perfect and undamaged. The Rucheng Mine is famed for the fine Sphalerites it produced about 15 years ago. This piece is about as fine as Galena is ever seen in China.

Arsenopyrite - iridescent crystals
stock #8.1-238
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
8.3 x 4.6 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Early summer 2021

Large and lustrous, the Arsenopyrite crystals here have a golden patina on the broad faces and a bright silvery color on the narrow faces. The golden faces have a color play in the patina and are especially attractive. The facing side of the specimen is in great condition. Part of the sides have contacts and there are saw marks on the back as well. None of those distractions are visible in a normal display. This presents deep striations and classic habit, the bigger crystals are over 4 CM and very clearly defined. Tiny bits of Quartz and Fluorite are also present. An older specimen (2008) from the great Yaogangxian.