Intense red color and fine translucent Rhombs from early finds at the Wudong (Wutong) mine. This is one of the few pieces that can match the color and style of some good Sweet Home Mine specimens. Choice and in great condition as seen. The rhombs are just over 2.5 CM (an inch) and very esthetic in their placement. The Pyrite adds a golden sparkle and the overall display is very eyecatching. Later finds produced more pale red and flatter crystals. A less expensive alternative to a similar Colorado specimen but still a fine Rhodo!
Fluorapatite (Apatite CaF) classic locale
stock #17.1-694
Pulsifer Quarry, Mount Apatite District, Auburn
Maine,
United States
2 x 1.3 x 1.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $330
Pre Holiday 2017
A classic and esthetic Pulsifer Apatite with the distinctive habit crystals. From the vintage Terry Szenics mining project, there is minimal matrix here, mostly all purple Apatite with some minor Lepidolite. Much better than average with very good form and naked eye appeal but this is not a specimen for perfectionists. There is some edge wear and smaller crystals are chipped or broken on the base area. The price reflects this but still the overall quality is far better than typical. These Apatites are legendary, now very scarce in this level of quality.
Prehnite on Quartz
stock #17.1-695
Goboboseb Mts., Brandberg area,
Erongo Region,
Namibia
9.7 x 7.7 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $180
Pre Holiday 2017
Balls of crystallized Prehnite (up to 2.5 CM) in perfect condition are set on a matrix of Quartz crystals. A few Quartz crystals have breaks but most are undamaged. From the Goboboseb mountains better known for their great Amethysts, this is a bright, colorful and lustrous piece in person.
Anglesite
stock #17.1-693
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
2.1 x 1.3 x .8CM (thumbnail)
price: $180
Pre Holiday 2017
A transparent Tsumeb Anglesite crystal with the look of a Moroccan specimen. Smokey cognac color and zoning a well as unknown inclusions add a nice look to this crystal. On close inspection the association of Chalcocite and Posnakite micros and the unusual face coatings confirm that this is from Tsumeb. Glassy and sharp, there is some light edge bruising but the crystal is complete and terminated. A less common form and habit this is an early vintage piece much better in person.
A fine small cabinet matrix hosting several perfect gem clear Sphalerites on needle Quartz with minor Galena, Pyrite etc. The largest cluster is 1.6 CM and all are glassy yellow green color that is classic for this material. From finds in 2014. The name Cleiophane is not an approved specie of course but it is perhaps the most desirable variety of Sphalerite.
Calcite with Sphalerite and Quartz etc.
stock #A-27-132
Borieva Mine, Madan, Rhodope Mts.
Smolyan Oblast,
Bulgaria
4.6 x 3.9 x 3.5 CM (miniature)
price: $170
Pre Holiday 2017
A delicate specimen in excellent condition with very pale pink (mangano) Calcites on a matrix of needle Quartz, lustrous Sphalerites and Pyrite. An attractive and nicely composed specimen from the great Madan deposits of Bulgaria. To my taste the Sulfide deposits of this region have produced the most esthetic examples of many species. This is a small but striking piece with quite remarkable slender Quartz that are decorated with tiny crystals of Sphalerite as well.
Amazing form! The Galenas here show many unusual habits, the epitaxial chains are most eyecatching but the hoppered and skeletal crystals are also very fine. Remarkable too is the lack of any visible damage. We have handled a lot of fine Bulgarian specimens but this one stands out as a very choice piece for esthetics and combinations of well crystallized but bizzare forms. From finds in 2014 I have not seen any newer material quite like this.
Fluorite with Quartz and Dolomite
stock #17.1-689
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
4.6 x 3.2 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $640
Pre Holiday 2017
A fine and esthetic cluster of zoned Fluorite cubes in a delicate array. Minimal matrix, the cubes are very well separated and freely formed. Some faces show a light frosting others are more transparent and inside the cubes are swirls of deep purple with many inclusions of micro quartz prisms. With good magnification small movable bubbles are noted and the interior landscape is impressive too. Overall in outstanding condition damage wise, the corners and edges show some stepped growth but no damage. Several angles for display work well and have a quite treelike form. From mining in 2006 this style of specimen is no longer produced.
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