Valentinite on Barite - classic Italian
stock #12.1-304
Tafone Mine, Manciano, Grosetto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
8.5 x 6.4 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
New Year 22
An incredibly rich and sizable specimen that is covered with hundreds of slender glassy crystals of Valentinite. Ex John Marshall collection, with previous labels from Shields Flynn and Pequa Rare Minerals, this is an excellent cabinet sized display piece, by far the largest and very best we have ever seen from this locality and outstanding from practically anyplace. Typically Valentinite is seen as Micro specimens or thumbnails, such a large dense carpet of crystals is very rare. Despite the delicacy, this is in excellent condition.
Hubnerite on Quartz
stock #8.1-282
Pasto Bueno District, Pallasca Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
9.9 x 7.3 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $560
New Year 22
A fine modern classic example from the finds over 20 years ago at Pasto Bueno. The Hubnerite crystal is composed of several parallel position crystals that are complete and terminated. This standing cluster is a full 7.5 CM tall. The Hubnerite shows flashes of red under good lighting as is typical of the specie. Perched aesthetically on a spray of Quartz crystals that are also in excellent condition. We need to note there is a small repair on this piece, well-done, and not visible to the naked eye. This keeps the price a good deal lower but has no visible impact on the piece. Looks fine from all sides, an excellent example of the specie.
Kolwezite - early find 1978
stock #21.1-553
Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Lualaba Province,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5 x 4.2 x 2.4 CM (miniature)
price: $230
New Year 22
A rich specimen of Kolwezite in ball-like masses and botryoidal crusts. This was collected in 1978, before this was a described mineral specie. Still considered a rather rare mineral this is an unusual Copper and Cobalt specie. Nearly pure Kolwezite, there is a little Plancheite on the back side matrix as well. In fine condition.
A small cabinet Legrandite with great color contrast and many gemmy crystals. The red gossan matrix has a main open vug that is filled with bright yellow to orange crystals of Legrandite sitting on a light green druse of copper rich Austinite. Close exam with good magnification finds some tiny Kottigite, Adamite and other micro crystals as well. The main interest however is the Legrandite. The largest crystal sprays (which reach 2 CM) are pocket bound and so are not as well-defined, however the smaller crystals are impressively complete and perfect, many are free standing, sharply terminated, lustrous and transparent. Good Legrandites from Mina Ojuela are highly regarded, they are by far the best in the world and have only been found a few times in small numbers. This one is from the Benny Fenn find so is an early example and a good value.
Chalcopyrite with Sphalerite
stock #7.AE-260
Huaron Mines, Huaron Mining District, San jose de Huayllay District
Pasco Department,
Peru
6.3 x 5.4 x 1.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
New Year 22
Large well-formed Chalcopyrite crystals surround sharp, bright lustrous black Sphalerites. Ex Gene Meieran collection, this is in excellent condition, from Huaron. An earlier label gives an incorrect locality however this is classic for the mine. The largest complete Chalcopyrite crystal is 4.4 CM across. The display face of this piece is remarkable in that it is undamaged. Chalcopyrite is a very delicate mineral and larger crystals almost always have some "issues". The Sphalerite crystals are complete and undamaged as well, what may look like breakage in some photos is simply complex stepped faces that have epitaxial structures.
Azurite
stock #AX-24-392
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio de Santa Cruz
Sonora,
Mexico
7.1 x 5.1 x 3..4 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
New Year 22
Sharp, highly lustrous Azurite crystals in a cluster on a contrasting reddish matrix. An early find Azurite specimen at Milpillas that is rather different in habit from later material. In excellent condition, clean and with bright "electric" blue crystals that are up to 1.6 CM and translucent to transparent. This mine is certainly a modern classic locality, and is now closed. During the short working life of the mine it became the world's greatest source of fine Azurites. The many diverse styles, habits and forms continue to make Millpillas a highly collectible locality. This is both a pretty, choice piece and a rather different esthetic. Excellent value.
Clinochlore and Adularia, Xenotime -Y, Rutile etc.
stock #20-FC-006-(9885)
Fieud Alp, Fontana, Central St Gotthard Massif, Leventina
Ticino,
Switzerland
9.3 x 6.3 x 6.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
New Year 22
Clinochlore is not often seen as a display quality specie, it is usually a minor associate or coating of other minerals. Here the Clinochlore crystals are sizable, well-defined and lustrous. The prismatic and sheaf-like crystals are unlike the more normal flat micaceous forms. The dark green crystals contrast well with the transparent to translucent white Adularia. Some micro species are noted in spaces between large crystals, most noticeable are gemmy Xenotime-Y with a yellow to orange color. A few spots of bright red Rutile crystals are also seen with magnification. Ex. Eric Asselborn collection, (France), this is a superb older Alpine specimen and exceptional for the specie, locality and habit.
Pyrite with Dolomite
stock #0725-JM-2882
Niccioleta Mine, Massa Maratima, Grosseto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
9.6 x 9.5 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
New Year 22
A fine and well-developed cluster of Pyrite crystals showing deep striations and bright luster. Ex John Marshall collection, this is a vintage piece from a locality we rarely see, but which was famed for fine Pyrite crystals and some other Sulphides (Stibnite etc). In excellent condition the Pyrites are in clusters and also in well-isolated crystals. This is a solid and stable piece there is no sign of any degeneration or oxidation.
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