Cerussite -reticulated
stock #20.1-182
Nakhlak Mine, Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak Dist., Nain Co.
Esfahan Province,
Iran
4.3 x 3.9 x 3.7 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 2020
Interconnected reticulated twins of smokey color Cerussite showing fine classic form. The crystal twins are all in perfect parallel position and aligned in stacks showing the geometric precision of a snowflake. The Nakhlak Mine had a major find of Cerussites about 2 years ago, the better pieces showed this quality of form and condition. This is more or less a floater, complete on all sides, no real points of attachment. From many angles this is quite perfect, undamaged but on close inspection the backside and edge have some very minor contacts/chips best seen with magnification. Given how delicate the mineral is this is incredible. Until this find any Cerussite of this quality would be far more costly, easily in the 1-2K range, but enough were found that these are now very reasonable in costs while they last.
Saxony,
Germany
13.7 x 2.5 x 1.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Spring 2020
A large, quite old German Hematite of the type we call "pencil ore" but are also called "swords" . This has the original label from the Philadelphia Acadamy collection with notation of the donor, John Hartman (1840-1910). We know that Hartman made bequests to the Acadamy between 1879 to 1905. Three older affixed collection numbers are on the specimen as well, so it is certainly much older than that. It is likely there was some confusion regarding the locality as it is listed as Glaskopf, Saxony, probably being copied from a small nearly illegible label on the specimen. At one time the word Glaskopf referred to a form or habit of Goethite and Hematite and not a locality that we know of. Regardless of that detail, this is a nice and sizable example of an early German Hematite with classic form, color and provenance.
Doubly terminated Quartz crystals with classic "Cumberland" form in a cluster dusted with small Hematite crystals. In incredible condition, this certainly looks like a superb vintage English specimen but it is much more unusual, being from Chubb Lake in Northern New York, USA. The locality has been closed for some years but during a brief period some amazing specimens were found. This habit was wrongly called "Beta Quartz" for a time and many old labels reflect that. This specimen has fine form, the crystals are undamaged, it is possible to see inside the Quartz through glassy faces to see dense inclusions. Not often available, this was in the William Hladysz collection.
Balydonite -classic locale
stock #0040-JM-135
Penberthy Croft Mine, St. Hillary
Cornwall,
England
8 x 6.7 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Spring 2020
A colorful and attractive very old Balydonite specimen from Cornwall with rich density. Ex Lechner collection (Austria) a mid to late 19th century collection that had also absorbed several earlier collections. The collection was dispursed in 1940-50 era. In 1969 sold to John Marshall via Schortmanns. This specimen is well over 100 years old, perhaps much older. The original label does not specify the mine but with the Lechner collection number (7132-13-23) it can be confirmed that this is in a sequence from the famed Penberthy Croft, and the habit etc is a perfect match for this location, which is also the type locality. The mine closed in 1840. There are several other species present that are not identified but what appears to be an area of Cornubite is noted as is some areas where the Balydonite has partly covered by a bluish-white mineral. Overall a choice classic example that has several possible display angles. Labels from Schortmann and Marshall are included.
Kyanite -gemmy crystals on Quartz
stock #16.1-630
Capelinha, Jequitinhouha Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.7 x 3.8 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Spring 2020
This is not at all a typical Kyanite, the crystals are vivid blue, gem clear and are sharply terminated. Well presented on a massive Quartz matrix, these crystals are perfectly exposed and brilliant in person. With backlighting this glows an intense blue hue. Some zoning is noted with the "stripes" of clear and deep blue running along the C axis of the crystals. Huge amounts of Kyanite come out of Brazil but super gem grade display pieces are very rare, this is a superb example with a lot of display impact. Better in person.
Rose Quartz (classic style, Maine)
stock #13.1-399
Dunton Quarry, Newry, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
3.1 x 2.2 x 1.7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $320
Spring 2020
A super choice thumbnail (just barely fits the specs) with fine form, color and luster. From Newry, the Rose Quartz is in ball like clusters and seems to have formed on an earlier colorless Quartz druse. Looks fine from several angles, the condition is excellent, undamaged. While massive Rose Quartz is rather common, it is surprising how few good crystalized R Q specimens are found worldwide, most finds seem to be very small.
Aragonite crystals with a violet core perched on matrix from the type locality in Aragon, Spain. Matrix crystals from this prolific locality are incredibly rare and the purple zones are the most desirable. The matrix is quite fragile which helps to explain why most specimens are single loose crystals. An older specimen from the Ara Dildilion collection with original label.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #AX-18-019
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
9.3 x 4.8 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
Spring 2020
An unusual etched gemmy cube of Fluorite is perched on a clean white crystalized Quartz matrix. Overall in fine condition as seen, the Fluorite has a hopper-like form with complex structure best seen in person or under magnification. A large amount of fine Fluorite has come from Yaoganxian over the years but this habit is very unusual. Strong blue color and high luster make this a nice choice.