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116 specimens listed
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Cinnabar on Dolomite with Quartz
stock #6.2-043
Chatian Mine, Fenghuang
Hunan Province, China
6.1 x 3.8 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
new year 2021

A cluster of blocky habit Cinnabar crystals are perched on contrasting Dolomite. The main cluster looks like a single crystal but on close exam it is not, these are inter-grown and aligned much like a twin structure reaching 1.5 CM. Remarkably this is also perfectly damage free under good magnification . Flawless is rare in large Cinnabar as these are quite fragile. Sharp, glassy luster and excellent translucency, the Cinnabar glows a brilliant red if given any backlighting. At one time Chinese Cinnabars were rare classics, the world's best crystals, treasured, nearly priceless and only seen in major museums. That changed around 1990 and good specimens were for a while plentiful. Recently the main mines in Hunan Province have been shut down, these are already getting scarce.

Fluorite - penetration twins
stock #4.2-396
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
12.7 x 7.3 x 5.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
new year 2021

A very unusual, older (2002) Chinese Fluorite from Xianghauling with several distinct penetration twins. Some white zoning is seen on close exam but these are mostly a uniform mint green, transparent to translucent, and vividly fluorescent. This is very unlike most of the later finds from this area, the UV response is also very rare. The largest crystals have very classic habit twins up to 2.7 CM across. This somewhat resembles English Fluorites as this twinning if far more common from there. We have seen only a handful of this sort from China and this is a very choice example as seen.

Quartz (green) on Dolomite crystals
stock #8.1-110
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province, China
11.7 x 8.8 x 4.5 cm (cabinet)
price: $3600
new year 2021

A killer quartz "tree" or tangled shrub of slender Quartz crystals with a mint-green color perched on a matrix of large Dolomite crystals. Mined in 2006 at the famed Shangbao Mine, this is a really distinctive display piece. Many of the Quartz are doubly terminated and the condition overall is excellent. Shangbao is justly famous for some of the best Fluorites in the world. However, there were also a few finds over the years of highly esthetic and often odd Quartz. A unique piece that mixes fine quality, good size and display impact.

Fluorite (phantom) on Muscovite etc.
stock #8.1-077
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
7.3 x 5.6 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $950


Perfect, with killer color, transparent Fluorite crystals aesthetically perched on a mix of smaller Fluorites and Muscovite. The luster and color zoning are exceptional, there is no damage and the main cubes show penetration twinning. This piece shows very well the quality that made the Yaogangxian Mine's reputation. The cubes have several separate phantoms and a more diffuse core color of vivid purple. An older specimen from 2008, this is quite different from more recent finds and is simply a super piece in person.

Bournonite with Quartz
stock #AX-15-164-(C147)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
6.5 x 4.7 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150


A cluster of large Bournonite crystals that are complexly intergrown with only a single Quartz crystal as matrix. Ex Shields Flynn Collection, this has the fine "gun-metal" luster that is most desirable from Yaogangxian Bournonites. Some crystals exceed 3CM and show flat terminations and classic cogswheel form twinning. In very good condition despite some small bruises this is in far better condition than most. This specimen was displayed in the Tucson show special exhibit on Chinese minerals. This was an early (2000's vintage) obtained by Shields from Bert Ottens in the golden years of Chinese mineral finds.

Fluorite on Quartz
stock #AX-18-019
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
9.3 x 4.8 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
Spring 2020

An unusual etched gemmy cube of Fluorite is perched on a clean white crystalized Quartz matrix. Overall in fine condition as seen, the Fluorite has a hopper-like form with complex structure best seen in person or under magnification. A large amount of fine Fluorite has come from Yaoganxian over the years but this habit is very unusual. Strong blue color and high luster make this a nice choice.

Fluorite and Quartz
stock #18.1-521
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
6.3 x 5.6 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
Spring 2020

The main Fluorite cube is very sharp, multi colored (blue, green and with amorphous zones of a violet purple). The main cube is 4.7 CM on edge and has very sharp corners. The Fluorite is perched on a pair of Quartz crystals and is contacted / incomplete on the back side but undamaged and choice from the front and sides. A zone of golden colored suphide druse is noted on one face that adds a nice contrast. Good rich color and transparency, a nice Yaoganxian specimen from the period when the mine was still working at full capacity.

Pyrrhotite rosette on Arsenopyrite
stock #6.2-885
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province, China
4.2 x 3.6 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $750


A flower form composed of thin blades of Pyrrhotite crystals esthetically perched on sharp crystals of Arsenopyrite. A rare specie from the famed Yaoganxian mine these were found almost 2 decades ago, we have not seen any since. The main flower is 3 CM across with a dark metallic patina. The Arsenopyrite crystals are highly lustrous and sharp. Overall in fine condition, one edge of the main flower has what seems to be a small old rehealed break or edge contact, not at all distracting, otherwise the display side is perfect. A very choice Sulfide from anyplace and a superb piece for the legandary Yaoganxian or for that matter all of China.