A superb specimen with gigantic, perfectly formed Wardite crystals. Textbook perfect form and up to 2 CM across these are the best and largest Brazilian Wardites I have ever seen, and are top percentile for the specie worldwide. These are esthetically set on a complex mix of Pegmatitic minerals and Phosphates. Aside from the Quartz and Muscovite crystals the matrix also includes what are identified as Wavelite (radiating sprays and blue green balls) and what seems to be Fairfieldite and Guimaraesite. The main event however is certainly the Wardites which are a cream color and undamaged. Outstanding Phosphate specimen and a killer Wardite.
Bournonite, Quartz and Pyrite
stock #AX-10-906
Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
7.2 x 5.4 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Late Summer 2018
Two-sided specimen with excellent sharp Bournonites on both sides. All the Bournonites show bright silver luster and twinning that in some crystals has the classic cogswheel habit. The side I consider the "front" or better display side has two main Bournonites that are perfectly formed and undamaged, set off by golden Pyrite and milky Quartz crystals. The "back" side has more nice Bournonites but there is some damage and contacts, (that is why it is the back of course). A few years ago matrix Bournonites of this quality were very rare and expensive when available but both China and Peru then began to produce these and they became very affordable. Now both these sources are not producing.
Twined Cerussites contrast with an unusual matrix of small dark purple Fluorites. The Cerussites have a few blue inclusions but are mostly whitish. The matrix has several small zones of Caledonite and Linarite. Grand Reef has produced some excellent Lead secondary minerals and is a modern classic locale. This piece looks nice by naked eye but with strong magnification the details are very impressive.
Calcite- classic locale clear crystals
stock #17.AX-794(A10)
Egremont, West Cumberland Iron Field
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
7 x 5.4 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Late Summer 2018
English classic Calcite crystals on a gossan Matrix. Glass clear and lustrous as these are supposed to be. These Egremont Calcites from the West Cumberland Iron fields were mostly being found in the 19th century or earlier, they are highly respected. On this piece there are a few cleaves and a recrystallized old break, this keeps the price lower, but none of these are easily seen on display. Ex Ruth and Andy Palmer, these clear Calcites are only available from the dispersal of old collections.
Azurite- slender form, complex cluster
stock #17.1-789
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
6.6 x 4.2 x 2.8 (cabinet)
price: $650
Late Summer 2018
All Azurite crystals with no matrix to speak of. This slender jackstraw habit much like a modern art sculpture was distinctive for the Touissit mine more than twenty years ago. The Azurites are of a complex habit and have several different styles of jagged terminations. In fine condition despite the delicate form, a few bits of adhering gossan are noted in some of the nooks and crannies. A choice and now classic specimen this style Azurite is noticeably unlike any from other localities.
Quartz- ultra clear
stock #18.1-364
Penas Blancas, San Pablo de Borbur
Boyaca,
Colombia
5.3 x 2.1 x 1.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $180
Late Summer 2018
From the incredible finds at Penas Blancas come some of the worlds clearest Quartz. Remarkable optical-grade clarity, fine condition and with a few edge modifications;(extra faces). The striations are very distinct and add a prismatic effect from some angles. We have had been to visit these prospects and mines, selected top specimens and are pleased to offer these fantastic prisms. Much more transparent in person.
Elbaite- gem crystal
stock #18.1-338
Pederneira Mine, Sao Jose da Safira, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3 x .7 x .3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $130
Late Summer 2018
Glass-clear gem crystal with perfect form and fine color. From older finds at the great Pederneira mine, this shows a slight color zoning and a bit deeper color near the termination. No damage. This is 100 percent facet grade gem and a choice crystal specimen.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #18.1-362
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.3 x 5.7 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Late Summer 2018
Lightly frosted octahedron in fine condition on contrasting etched white Quartz from a find in 2006. We obtained this piece at the mine when the miners had just started using the dangerous process of removing Quartz from Fluorite with Hydrofluoric acid. These were quite different from the typical Xinghualing specimens, and were being etched from Quartz/Fluorite blocks that normally were crushed as ore. We sold all of those pieces but recently were able to get this one back in a trade. I have not seen any of this material for several years and this is a choice example. The Fluorite measures 3 CM and has fine color and translucency.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)