Calcite on Quartz fingers
stock #AX-15-285
Banpo Mine, Dushan Co., Qiannan Pref.
Guizhou Province,
China
5.6 x 4.7 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Fall 2015
Green Calcite in flattened disk-like crystals are perched on slender fingers of Quartz. When these were found the color was attributed to copper salts in the calcite, this was never confirmed though it is likely. An older specimen obtained in 2002 at the mine and formerly in the Shields Flynn collection. A very good example in fine condition from the one time discovery.
Vesuvianite
stock #15.1-319
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
3.6 x 3 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $280
Fall 2015
A colorful, bright and fine small miniature of glass-like Vesuvianites from the Jeffrey Mine. The color, luster and esthetics are excellent. This quality in a cabinet specimen would be several thousand dollars. Some areas of contact are noted with magnification and some old recrystallized breaks as well. All the main crystals are pristine and undamaged. Better in person
Pyromorphite
stock #15.1-565
Broken Hill, Yancowinna County
New South Wales,
Australia
4.3 x 3.2 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Fall 2015
Transparent Pyromorphite crystals scattered on a contrasting dark matrix from Broken Hill. The dark matrix is often labeled as Coronadite but this is not confirmed in this specimen. Most crystals are pristine but some damaged or broken prisms are seen with magnification. Pyros about 5mm, bright green-yellow hue from a classic locale.
Beryl var. Emerald in Schist
stock #AX-12-379
Tokovaya River, Malyshevo Ekaterinburgskaya Oblast
Urals Region,
Russia
7.5 x 4 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Fall 2015
A classic old Russian Emerald specimen with a sizable (2.7 cm) terminated prism that is well-exposed on its Schist matrix. The crystal is quite transparent with a few inclusions. Some additional Beryl crystals are also on the matrix. We have photographed this with "normal" display lighting, if it is backlit it displays with clarity.
Bismuthinite inside Fluorite on Arsenopyrite
stock #AX-15-243
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
4.2 x 3.2 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $285
Fall 2015
A attractive miniature with a prominent Fluorite cube that is densely filled with needles, hairs and curls of metallic Bismuthinite. Since the Fluorite rests on a well-crystallized cluster of Arsenopyrite, the overall contrast and esthetic structure is excellent. As with many fine Yaogangxian specimens, there are many associated species, this has Sphalerite, Stannite and Quartz. Better in person, this is an older specimen from the Shields Flynn collection.
Diopside
stock #15.1-310
Gilgit, Gilgit district
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
5.1 x .7 x .9 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
Fall 2015
An unusual and fine gem crystal from Pakistan that came out over 20 years ago. Ex Herb Obodda and Chris Amo collection, this is sharp, lustrous and clear dark green. An excellent Diopside from anyplace, and outstanding from Pakistan. In excellent condition damagewise, this needs good lighting to help show well the rich color and transparency, without it is very dark. Our photos use a small amount of backlight to help show the clarity. This has the best luster, color and overall condition of any I have seen from here.
Vesuviantite with Diopside
stock #15.1-309
Otjihorondo (26 Km. NE of Uis)
Erongo Region,
Namibia
4.2 x 2.9 x 2 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Fall 2015
An odd, old Namibian specimen that is unlike any we have seen before. Dark red-brown Vesuvianites to 3.5 CM are fully terminated with an unusual stepped indentation. These are sprinkled with deep green Diopside crystals and the whole thing is quite esthetic. In fine condition damagewise, this is of uncertain vintage but was in the previous collection more than 15 years. Choice.
Inesite, Calcite & Quartz
stock #AX-15-276
Fengjiashan Mine (Daye Mine), Daye County, Huangshi Pref.
Hubei Province,
China
6.2 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
Fall 2015
A sizable red to pink "bowtie" spray of well-formed crystals is nicely perched on Calcite crystals. From the collection of Shields Flynn and supplied by Bert Ottens, this is a way above average quality Inesite from the great finds in 2002. The main spray is 4.1 cm tall which is unusually big, and the condition is excellent with no visible damage. This location was once quite prolific but we have seen nothing in the past few years. A choice specimen of a modern classic.