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.
Anadalusite in Sericite Shist
stock #AX-35-159
Cargo Muchacho Mountains, Imperial County
California,
United States
5.7 x 3.9 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Late Summer 2018
Something a bit unusual, the main Andalusite crystal is well-formed and over 3.5 CM across. Nice overall composition, the biggest Andalusite is quite well exposed from the Schist. Ex S. Alverson collection, this was collected in 1980, but not at any of the noted mines, just a small prospect. Microscopic exam finds many Hematite crystals and one Kyanite in the matrix as well. A fine, less common California specimen and a nice prismatic crystal of Andalusite.
Fluorite
stock #15.1-1069-(SM4754)
Fort Wayne. Allen County
Indiana,
United States
4.3 x 3 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $280
Late Summer 2018
A pretty mid-western US Fluorite with transparent crystals that are far more clear in person. Overall sharp and lustrous there are some small edge jagged zones that with strong magnification appear to be mostly natural contacts and a few partially recrystallized bruises. One tiny cleave is noted too, so this is not perfect but by naked eye it still looks quite fine, has great color and displays well. Ex Charles Noll collection, vintage 1970 time period. Crystals to 2.5 CM, the matrix is clearly seen through the cubes.
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.
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.
Siderite (huge Crystal) with Albite
stock #18.1-361
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Québec,
Canada
10.6 x 9.7 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $4800
Late Summer 2018
A monster! The main crystal is as large as these have ever been found, and one of the best. The big crystal measured on the edge is 7.5 CM and on the diagonal is 9.8 CM across. Very impressive, this piece is one of the top three of the giant St Hillaire Siderites, and outstanding for the specie world wide. Sharp and fairly lustrous as well, the honey brown color has yellow highlights and is translucent. The matrix is the sort of elongated Albite crystals that look a lot like Natrolite. Ex Hitchings collection, obtained in 1967 the early part of the "golden years" at St Hillaire. In fine condition there is a contact on the backside but no damage. Even the smaller crystals in the cluster here would be choice specimens alone but they add a nice esthetic touch to the whole piece.
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.
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.
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