white Prehnite casts
stock #7.AE-239
Malad Quarry, Malad, Mumbai District
Maharashtra,
India
9.6 x 4.2 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Spring 23
Really unusual hollow casts of sparkling white crystalline Prehnite sprinkled with small clear Apophyllite crystals. From Malad (Deccan Plateau of India) It looks like this has grown over Anhydrite crystals (and not Laumontite) that are now gone. The backside of the specimen is hollow, the void of the original crystals is clearly seen. No damage or bruises, this is a perfect and complete replacement unlike anything we know from India. Such replacements are well-known in the Northeastern USA trap-rock zones, but never in such elongated, slender fingers and always with typical green color. White Prehnite is surprisingly uncommon, this piece also has very distinct small crystal bundles of flattened stacks of lath-like Prehnite crystals best appreciated with magnification. Although the Deccan Plateau produces many mineral specimens, this habit and style is really unusual and comes from a find more than 16 years ago.
Cavansite with Stilbite
stock #8.AE-735
Dhoot Quarry, Wagholi, Pune
Maharashtra,
India
5.3 x 5.2 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Spring 23
A choice Cavansite with top color and no damage at all from the classic Wagholi locale in Pune (India). For many years we would see a lot of Cavansites at major mineral shows, these were popular due to the often intense color, and quite affordable. Undamaged pieces were much less common and now we understand the quarries are being redeveloped into housing. It seems the end of a great locality, there are no other sources of such quality worldwide. There are still a few fine pieces to be found in the mineral market, though the prices are already going up. This piece is from finds in 2003 and is well above average for quality in this size. The thumb of Cavansite is 3.2 CM tall, perfect and vivid. A choice, colorful and increasingly rare mineral.
Stilbite with Apophyllite
stock #19.1-278
Nasik
Maharashtra,
India
9.1 x 6.4 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Late Summer 2021
We do not often offer Indian Zeolite minerals as there are so many in the market and few stand out. However these can be both exceptionally esthetic and reasonable in price. This vivid orange spray of perfect Stilbites is that sort of specimen. The matrix is a jumble of Apophyllite crystals with off white porcelain luster that make a fine contrast to the orange. In perfect condition and with classic form, this is more impressive in person. Well selected Indian minerals are some of the greatest bargains in the mineral world, they offer perfection, color, esthetics and elegant forms at a low cost. This is that sort of specimen.
Cavansite on Stilbite
stock #21.1-283
Wagholi Quarries, Wagholi, Pune District
Maharashtra,
India
4.4 x 3.9 x2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $380
Late Summer 2021
Esthetic clusters of bright blue spheres of Cavansite crystals on contrasting creamy white stilbite. Cavansites from Wagholi are fairly common on the mineral market but very clean, brilliant and esthetic pieces are less common. As the quarries are shut down they have been getting much less available. Cavansite has the most vivid color of all the Traprock minerals, a bright Cavansite is a nice addition to any collection. This piece has individual balls to 1.8 CM, but most are clustered together forming a chain of spheres. The blue is in two different tones and one sphere is broken open so the radial structure is easily seen. This offers several good display angles. In fine condition with great luster, sparkle and color.
Fluorite - rare
stock #21.1-239
Mahodari, Sinnar, Nasik District
Maharashtra,
India
6.2 x 4.4 x 2.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $160
Early summer 2021
A small but distinct single ball of red Fluorite is nestled in a matrix of Quartz crystals. From earlier finds at Nasik, there have been a lot of ball shaped Fluorite found in recent years, but the red color is very rare, almost never seen for years. There have also been many fakes with dyes used to color the Fluorite. This is a fully natural, real example with the ball just under 1 CM across. Hard to find and when available the prices can be incredibly high. A nice example at a reasonable price, good value for any lover of Fluorite or Indian minerals.
Thompsonite -Ca
stock #AX-6-019
Aurangabad
Maharashtra,
India
6.2 x 4.8 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Sparkling pink balls of Thompsonite on a contrasting matrix- a very attractive specimen of this usually drab mineral. The outer surfaces of the balls are covered with tiny needle crystals that make the luster far more bright than most typical Thompsonite. This is from a small find about 6 years ago that was unlike any Thompsonite found before or since, and were perhaps the best specimens ever. We sold this piece some time ago it is now back and we are happy to have it. One edge of this piece has balls that show the inner structure along the side. The overall quality, color and condition is excellent and this is a super example of this more uncommon Zeolite. A colorful and attractive addition to any suite of Zeolites or Indian minerals.
A remarkable Barite from any place but especial exotic being from India. The core of this piece is a single elongated Barite prism that has been overgrown with oriented clear Barites in perfect alignment. In fine undamaged condition, this was from a small recent find. The Barites from this find have been called "scepters" but they seem to be more complex than that and more an epitaxial chain habit.
A fine example of the radiating habit of flat tip green Apophyllite crystals in flowerlike form. The stalk of Stilbite is a choice contrasting matrix for the gem clear Apophyllites. in perfect, undamaged condition the Apophyllites are water clear at the tips and nearly colorless, they grade to a fine mint green lower down and the color is transmitted through the entire crystal. very good value from the second well pocket (there have been at least 4 in 12 years, each a little different). This was a unique small pocket with the fingerlike stalks of Stilbite in stalactitic form.