Scapolite - gem crystal with "cat's-eye" luster
stock #16.1-198
Morogoro, Uluguru Mountains
Morogoro,
Tanzania
3.1 x 1.6 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $400
Winter 2016-17
A clear, mostly colorless terminated crystal with a vibrant orange core that gives the entire crystal a rich color. The cat's eye effect is very strong and has a distinct "shimmer". In very good condition, with very minor contacts and no eye visible damage or chips. Scapolite is a common mineral, but good gem grade is quite rare, this locality has produced very few fine pieces like this one. A good value.
Elbaite - blue capped crystals
stock #15.1-587
Mina Camilo Gigante, Itinga
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
2.9 x 1.5 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $325
Winter 2016-17
Excellent quality, zoned gem Tourmalines with distinct blue caps. Both crystals are terminated, the larger with a simple flat top and the smaller with a more complex habit. By naked eye there is no damage seen but a 20X magnification does find micro chipping on a few edges, still about as close to perfect as can be found. From finds about 6 years ago. A good value for a nice, small but clean gem.
Almandine on Pegmatite - classic
stock #16.1-353
Hedgehog Hill Quarry, Peru, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
8.2 x 7.7 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Winter 2016-17
Several Garnets are scattered on the Pegmatite matrix but the main crystal is 3.3 cm perfectly perched in a nest of Mica. In fine condition and sharply formed this is a classic style Oxford County (Maine) specimen. Far better than most with a fine esthetic form, the face striations also are a bit more distinct that is typical. Choice Northeastern US specimen.
Axinite and Quartz
stock #AX-15-068
Dachang Ore Field, Nandan
Guangxi Province,
China
7 x 4.7 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $475
Winter 2016-17
An unusually well-crystallized Axinite from China that host well-perched doubly terminated Quartz crystals for a nice contrast. Ex Shields Flynn collection, this is older material from about 2004. The Nandan mines have mostly been shut down and were only producing good minerals for a few short years. The Axinites from the area are probably the best ever to come out of China. In excellent condition (few were not badly damaged) with the only real bruising at the outside edges. Very nice luster and three dimensional relief.
Rutile - doubly terminated
stock #16.1-329
Novo Horizonte
Bahia,
Brazil
6.2 x .9 x .7 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Winter 2016-17
Big and lustrous with red highlights this is translucent to transparent on edges with a brilliant red when backlit. Crude but complete termination on both ends makes this an extra nice example. Better in person this is well above average, and not being found now.
Fluorite on Dolomite
stock #6.2-644
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
6.8 x 5.9 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Winter 2016-17
Choice and very esthetic, old type of Fluorite in stepped, modified cubo-octahedral crystals perched on contrasting milky Dolomite. Dark purple phantoms are seen in the center of the main crystals where the glassy "windowpane" face looks into the clear interiors. From vintage 2002 finds at Shangbao, this habit has not been found for several years. In fine condition there is a small clean contact on the back corner of the smaller crystal but no damage.
Diopside - gemmy crystals on matrix
stock #AX- 35-524
Calvin Mitchell Prospect, Dekalb, St Lawrence County
New York,
United States
4.3 x 4 x 2.6 CM (miniature)
price: $700
Winter 2016-17
Fine and sharp gem clear Diopside crystals on a Diopside matrix in excellent condition. From the famed Dekalb classic location made famous in the 1800s, The largest crystal is 2.3 CM long and has fine transparency and a nice yellow-green color. This was collected by and in the collection of S. Alverson in the last good find over 4 decades ago. Since that pocket there have been no more with this clarity and glassy luster. Outstanding for the location and an esthetic piece as well!
Sharp crystals of Smithsonite cover a matrix of Cerussite with some twinned crystals showing. The Smithsonites are all perfect and undamaged. A nice association the milky-white Smithsonite crystals have nice contrast to the grey Cerussite.
