An simply outstanding Mendip specimen with a large crystal lined cavity inside a Manganese Oxide mass. The void contains choice Cerussite and Hydrocerussite some in twins and others with reticulated forms, nestled on a sparkling Calcite. This Quarry is famed for the rare Lead minerals that are found here in association with the Manganese deposits in the Carboniferous Limestones. The location is unique and has been the source of at least eight new minerals. That said most of the specimens are not often well crystallized or esthetic. This is an exception as the Lead minerals are well formed and make an attractive display contrasting inside the cavity. The Merehead Quarry now known as the Tor Works Quarry began to be noticed about 80 years ago and is a world class source of many other rare species.
Amethyst - scepter
stock #AX7-210-(635)
Piedra Parada, Las Vigas
Veracruz,
Mexico
6 x 2.3 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
new year 2021
A fine, sharp and richly colored scepter from the great discoveries at Piedra Parada in Veracruz. This piece was in the Larry White Collection and retains his handmade wooden base. The termination has some skeletal or hoppered faces and some smooth faces. From most angles this looks perfect by naked eye but magnification shows some very small chips. Despite that this is far better condition and form than is typical for the locality.
Cornetite with Malachite
stock #20.1-875
L Etoile du Congo Mine, Lubumbashi
Haut- Katanga,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
7.2 x 4.7 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $45
new year 2021
A powder blue crust of tiny Cornetite crystals mixed with some Malachite on matrix. This is sawn on the back but the front is all natural. An affordable example of this rather rare Copper mineral.
Pyrite - classic form and locality
stock #AX7-438-(81A)
Rio Marina, Elba Island, Livorno Province
Tuscany,
Italy
10 x 6.8 x 4.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
new year 2021
A cluster of Pyritohedral Pyrite crystals with sharp and lustrous faces. From the famed finds on Elba Island, this is an older specimen Ex Larry White collection. The specimen was acquired from Joe Stachura in 1967. The age is important because despite more than a half century out of the ground there is no sign of tarnish, degradation or "pyrite disease" which was an issue with some from this locale. It is a brilliant golden metallic luster that is hard to appreciate on a computer screen. The crystals are clustered in an epitaxial arrangement and are in fine condition, there is just one small attachment point that sits under the specimen and it can be displayed from several different angles.
Calcite over/replacing Aragonite
stock #16.1-364
Merehead Quarry (Torr Works), Cranmore
Somerset,
England
9.2 x 7.1 x 5.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
new year 2021
A very unusual but also very esthetic specimen from the famed Merehead (Tor Works) Quarry in the Mendips of England. This locale is famed for the rare lead oxychlorides found in the Carboniferous Limestones. With all the attention to these minerals the more common Carbonate species are less well-known. This hosts a cluster of hexagonal Aragonite forms that are fully encased by and mostly replaced by Calcite in crystalline over-growths. The matrix is mostly limestone with a small remnant mass of Manganese oxides that are well-known from this locale. I have not seen anything like this piece which is from the Les Hitchings collection. An unusual and attractive English specimen with a remarkable form.
SOLD Fluorite, Quartz and Siderite
stock #SOLD 20.1-864
Krupka, Teplice District
Usti nad Labem Region (Bohemia),
Czech Republic
4.1 x 3.1 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $0
new year 2021
A very dark purple cube of Fluorite nestled in a cluster of red and yellow Quartz crystals which are colored by Hematite inclusions. A small bit of Siderite is also noted. An old specimen from this important and very historic Czech locality that has produced many different Fluorites over the centuries. These are not seen for sale very often outside of the Central European region, but they are quite prized there.
Quartz - faden with bend and twist
stock #16.1-303
Waziristan Ophiolite, North Waziristan
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
8.9 x 3.6 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
new year 2021
A really extraordinary Quartz. Faden Quartz is well-known as being found in distorted, flattened and elongated crystals, always with the internal "string" or line inside. This piece has all that in elegant gem clear crystals in a series of chains and clusters, but in addition it also has a remarkable bend with a slight twist. We have handled many great Fadens from the Waziristan finds but this is the only piece that has this remarkable form. This is nearly all Quartz, with just a sliver of matrix and is in fine condition, one edge contact is seen with magnification, this display incredibly well. A super addition for any Quartz suite or collection, this is especially impressive in person.
Galena - classic locale
stock #13.1-168
Freiberg
Saxony,
Germany
3.9 x 3.6 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $550
new year 2021
A very fine miniature of a pair of intergrown modified octahedrons. This habit is classic and distinctive for this ancient German Silver mining locality. In excellent condition with a dark metallic patina, this is clearly a very old specimen though without documentation. Worldwide the vast majority of Galenas are crystallized as simple cubes or modified cubes. Octahedrons are far less common but were more frequently seen in central and eastern Europe, especially from a few of the ancient German mines. An excellent textbook clean example.
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