Benstonite on Fluorite
stock #15.1-967-(SM3121)
Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
6.7 x 5.7 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Worldwide mix summer
Benstonite in unusual distinct crystals clustered on Fluorite cubes. Ex Charles Noll collection, a choice example of this uncommon mineral that has always been a very desirable rarity from this region. The Fluorite cubes are also very sharp and clean with strong Fluorescence. These are only available from older collections and most are just a whitish coating on other minerals. This almost certainly came from the Minerva mine but the label does not give that specific detail so we leave this listed as Cave-in Rock only.
Malachite - Primary crystals, classic locale
stock #15.1-1064-(SM2923)
Andrassy II. Mine, Rudabanya, Rudabanyai Mts.
Borosod-Abauj-Zemplen Co.,
Hungary
7.6 x 5.2 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Worldwide mix summer
An old, well formed and crystallized Malachite from Rudebanya ex Charles Noll collection. The Malachite is quite lustrous and contrasts with the gossan matrix, but this is nearly all Malachite. This is also a well formed and fine Primary Malachite, not a pseudomorph. The luster is bright and satin like with clustered groups of prismatic crystals in spherical arrangements. In excellent condition, we do not know the vintage of this piece but the style is only seen in very old collections, and the locality has been mined since the copper age, it is one of the oldest mineral sites in Europe. Impossible to find specimens of this caliber today.
Gold - exceptional crystals, multiple forms
stock #AX-12-281
Alta Floresta Gold Province, Alto Floresta
Mato Grosso,
Brazil
2.3 x 1.3 x 1.1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $1750
Worldwide mix summer
A natural sculpture in Gold, this is a remarkable cluster of several different forms and habits. Any angle of view has considerable impact and interest with these forms. From old finds at Matto Grosso (more than 20 years ago) this is an especially dramatic piece with skeletal and hoppered forms based on elongated octahedrons. 9.1 grams and all of it very well crystallized, a strong display thumbnail of fine competition grade.
Mimetite -classic, modified hexagons
stock #16.1-466-(CN2141)
Mount Bonnie Mine, Grove Hill
Northern Territory,
Australia
4.1 x 4 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Worldwide mix summer
A fine Mimetite cluster on a gossan matrix, from the classic old finds at Mt Bonnie. These are still considered some of the worlds great Mimetites, and this piece shows the most desired flattened hexagons with modified edges. Fine luster, undamaged condition and with a bit of zoning. This could be trimmed to a thumbnail of competition grade but we like it as is. Ex Charles Noll, Nick Carruth, David Crawford and others (unattributed labels). No other localities since this find has produced this style of Mimetite, it is quite distinctive.
Fluorite -etched edges and faces
stock #18.1-249A
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
2.4 x 1.8 x 1.4 (thumbnail)
price: $220
Worldwide mix summer
A tasteful thumbnail of zoned Fluorite showing very fine stepped and etched faces. From the Elmwood mine ex Larry White collection, this is a strong display piece with minimal matrix. In fine condition, there is a cleave on the backside (not seen) and a micro chip seen with magnification, otherwise pristine and now that the mine is closed there will be no more. It has been remarkable to many that this incredibly productive locale had so few good thumbnail sized specimens, everything was usually far larger and in most pockets nothing small was collected.
Barite on Fluorite
stock #AX-13-013
Minerva Mine #1, Rosiclare Level, Cave in Rock
Illinois,
United States
10.4 x 6.5 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $130
Worldwide mix summer
Sharp contrast of the bluish white Barite crystals with the purple Fluorites in a classic combination. Ex York collection. This is dated 1992, so it is from the last part of the mining period. In fine condition the Barites are all perfect, undamaged, there are some very tiny cleaves on Fluorites that is not noticeable. A modern US classic that is better in person.
Serandite with Natrolite and Elpidite
stock #A7-256-(337A)
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Québec,
Canada
4.8 x 2.8 x 1.9 CM (miniature)
price: $650
Worldwide mix summer
Cluster of sharp intergrown Serandite crystals with the flat blade habit that host several terminated Natrolite prisms and one Natrolite rosette. The Serandites also have a few needles of Elpidite as well, and all are in remarkable, intact condition. Ex Larry White collection, this includes his homemade Balsawood base. Fine delicate prisms and vibrant pink color, this is an uncommon form for Serandite and this piece is especially esthetic.
Apatite (fluorapatite)- gem clear
stock #18.1-252
Cerro de Mercado
Durango,
Mexico
2.5 x 1.7 x 1.4 CM (thumbnail)
price: $60
Worldwide mix summer
Sharp, clear, bright yellow and lustrous a choice Apatite from the famed Cerro de Mercado. This Durango locality has produced vast numbers of Apatites for decades, but despite the numbers the better pieces stand out as choice specimens and one of the best values for a good quality gem crystal. This is that sort of value, well above average color and clarity, simple, pretty and relatively affordable.
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