A sharp and distinct pair of Rutile crystals are penetration twinned on matrix. An older Graves Mt. specimen, the red color and satin luster are very fine for the locale. Textbook forms and a nice display specimen, the front side seen on display is perfectly damage free but the underside and one edge (out of sight) have contacts. Choice.
Vesuvianite
stock #18.AX-509
Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Sierra Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
7.3 x 6 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $80
Blocky habit Vesuvianite crystals that are doubly terminated are studding a contrasting Rhyolite matrix. From very old finds at the locality once called Lago de Jaco, now Sierra de la Cruz. The Vesuvianites are well exposed from the matrix and are nearly all bi color. This habit of Vesuvianite was collected before 1980, there have been no more in recent years.
Galena with Sphalerite , Calcite
stock #17.1-240
Pitcher Field, Tri State District, Ottawa County
Oklahoma,
United States
9.3 x 5.2 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Classic old Pitcher Field (Tri State District) Galena. An esthetic cluster of grey patina cubes with modified corners on a drusy Sphalerite covering the Chert matrix. In excellent condition, the Galena arrangement is very three dimensional and the cube at the top on the tower is 2 CM in diameter. The backside of the matrix is covered with larger Sphalerites some of which are red and lustrous. The Tri state area was an incredibly productive zone into the early 1960 period when it shut down. At the time these specimens were plentiful (although better pieces were always much less common). Today these are all long gone and good esthetic material is quite rare. Far better in person, this is not at all average.
Pyrargyrite with Polybasite, Siderite, Pyrite
stock #18.1-409
Porco, Agua de Cstilla, Quijarro Province
Potosi,
Bolivia
3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $400
A lustrous cluster of mostly Pyargyrite crystals that at first glance appear a silvery black color. Strong light shows some brilliant red zones of ruby silver, and with magnification are some classic twinned Polybasite crystals as well. Minimal matrix, the associated Sulphides are only seen with magnification. Some edge chipping is noted, not easy to see by naked eye (this is a brittle mineral ) but the main crystals are in fine condition, some with textbook forms. The Pyrargyrites have some unusual habits on this piece, it is an attractive small miniature with very bright flash., could trim to a very strong thumbnail if desired
Kinoite, Ruizite, Apophyllite and Apacheite?
stock #AX-10-058
Christmas Mine, Dripping Springs Mountains, Gila County
Arizona,
United States
6.4 x 4.6 x 2.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $100
An attractive combination specimen from the remarkable finds at the Christmas mine. This is the type locale for Ruizite and one of the best locales for Kinoite. There are several vugs that are hold very tiny Ruizite in reddish balls. and much larger bright blue Kinoite mostly of covered by clear Apophyllite crystals. By eye it also looks like there is a few areas of Apacheite (powder blue) but this is not confirmed.
For the Ahumada Mine (Los Lamentos) this is a huge crystal of Anglesite for that mine, and is partly altered to Cerussite on the surface. Ex Johansson collection, this is an older piece, pre 1940. In very good condition and well-terminated as seen, (crudely doubly terminated) the crystal has retained the textbook form of the Anglesite. Los Lamentos is world famed for fine Wulfenite, Vanadinite and Descloisite but other Lead secondaries have been found over the long history of the mine. Large crystals of Anglesite are usually up to 2 CM, but at 4.3 CM this is one of the largest I have ever seen. A choice and substantial Mexican classic.
Azurite
stock #15.1-598
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
3.1 x 2.7 x 2.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $450
A choice early Azurite from Tsumeb formerly in the Johannson collection obtained in trade with Harvard before 1933. Thick rectangular blades in a mass on minimal matrix. Excellent luster and a somewhat unusual form, this has some chipping and some rehealed areas that can hidden by angle of display. The edge modifications and faces on this Azurite are very unusual for Tsumeb and in fact for any locality.
Brazilianite
stock #AC-349
Linopolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
7.8 x 5.3 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A sculptural tower of Brazilianite crystals most of which are doubly terminated. An early 1970 vintage specimen with no matrix at all just several generations of Brazilianite in several habits nicely composed as a zigzag arrangement. In excellent condition, all the main crystals are undamaged, with 20X magnification, only a tiny chips are found in spots that are not seen on display, perfect by naked eye. The smaller crystals are transparent, gemmy and very lustrous, the larger ones have inclusions that are seen just inside the faces and give a more matte look but still have glassy faces outside. Not typical, the esthetics are fine and far better in person.
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