Barite on Rhodochrosite
stock #AX-27-248
Cerro Warihuyn - Miraflores, Huamalies Prov.
Huanuco Department,
Peru
4.4 x 2.3 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Spring 2017
Glass clear Barite blades in perfect condition sitting on crystallized pink Rhodochrosite. From the prolific finds at Cerro Warihuyn, which produced some of the best Barites found in decades- esthetic, attractive and very affordable. There are a lot of these on the market but this is well above the average miniature, way better in person. The locality is supposedly almost exhausted, which will be a great loss to the mineral world!
A very unusual Yaogangxian specimen with the matrix a flattened Quartz shard that has recrystallized with one face coated with these clear Scheelites, the opposite side is dusted with clear tiny Fluorites. In fine condition, the Scheelites are bright and glassy, micro Pyrites are seen on some Scheelite crystals. Formerly in the Shields Flynn collection, this is quite choice (and certainly not typical) for this famed locale. Attractive.
Fluorite with epitaxial Calcite
stock #AX-15-270
Dongpo Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzohou prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
10.5 x 7.8 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $670
Spring 2017
Like snow on mountains, Fluorite crystals with sharp phantoms are selectively coated with Calcite rhombs. Ex. Shields Flynn collection, a choice display piece from the little known Dongpo Mine. In excellent condition overall, the only damage is unseen at the bottom outer edges where this was attached, the Fluorites and Calcite are pristine. Some cubes show complex corner modifications that are distinctive for this mine. Not the usual Chinese Fluorite!
Top color and luster, bright sparkling gem Garnets are perched on a contrasting matrix of micro Garnets from white to pale green. In perfect condition damage-wise, this is far better in person as the crystals are more brilliant than can be photographed. The color change from daylight to incandescent is also quite striking, daylight (or good led lighting) brings out an intense apple-green as seen, the last photo shows the color by incandescent lighting. We searched out and examined a lot of the best Demantoids from Madagascar and only a few we consider great values. This is one that stands out.
Sheelite with Fluorapatite on Muscovite.
stock #AX-15-167
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
8.3 x 5 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $720
Spring 2017
A really nice combination specimen, with typical Xuebaoding matrix of Muscovite that hosts several yellow-orange Scheelite crystals and a single pink Fluorapatite. The apatite is well-exposed and mostly transparent. The matrix was sawn on the back to remove it from the cleft. In good condition, there are very small chips on some Scheelites and the Apatite has a contact on the backside. Fine luster and better in person. Formerly in the Shields Flynn collection of Chinese minerals, vintage 2004 and obtained from Bert Ottens, this type of combo is no longer found. A modern classic.
Carrollite with Calcite
stock #A-19-257
Kamoya, Kambove, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
4.7 x 3.1 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $190
Spring 2017
Carrollite with very bright metallic luster on a nice miniature specimen. There have been no new finds of Carrollite for a few years now, but for a time the Kambove Mine was a prolific source for the best specimens ever found. This bright miniature has sharp crystals to 1.3 CM size, there are some contacts and bruises seen on some angles but they are relatively small. More perfect, larger specimens are now trading for many thousands, this piece is a lot more modest but still has top luster and nice form. An affordable alternative that looks much better than the mine run.
Vesuvianite - textbook crystals on matrix
stock #AX-19-252
Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Sierra Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
8.7 x 4.4 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $110
Spring 2017
These Vesuvianites are nearly all equant, doubly terminated with a textbook form. Well-exposed by etching from contrasting white matrix these are a pleasing golden hue with lustrous surfaces. Back in the 70s these were all labeled Lago de Jaco, but now the correct locale is known to be Sierra de Las Cruz. Most crystals are quite perfect but several have cracked and rehealed or have cracked and split apart while inside the matrix. A good example with many small crystals up to 8MM.
Calcite - classic British
stock #16.1-1270
Bigrigg mine, West Cumberland Iron field
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
3.1 x 1.7 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $140
Spring 2017
A clear sharp single scalenohedron from the famed Bigrigg Mine. From an older European collection this is at least 80 years old but likely much older. There is a number attached that could be removed if desired. Quite clean by naked eye but some contacts and rough bits found with magnification, all under 1mm. Not perfect but looks it, and not expensive as is often the case with these old finds.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)