Fluorite on Quartz
stock #22.1-548
Aouli. Midelt, Khenifra Province
Draa-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
4.8 x 3.1 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Spring 23
Bright yellow Fluorites on contrasting reddish druzy Quartz. The main Fluorite is elongated and gem clear; a very glassy contrast to the matrix. Close exam shows many odd inclusions in the crystals, but overall this a simply a cute, colorful and affordable Fluorite.
Vanadinite - epitaxial stack of crystals
stock #16.1-242
ACF Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Khenifra Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
3.2 x 2.3 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $420
Spring 23
Vanadinite crystals in rare stacked array from the incredible Mibladen area (the ACF Mine). This region has produced literally tons of nice Vanadinite, of many sorts. It is very hard to find anything really different or special in the production, but a few pieces do sometimes turn up. This is one such special example that looks somewhat like a tree and seems almost unreal in the stacked arrangement of the crystals. The tabular crystals are naturally arranged by decreasing size in a graduated tower. Out of thousands of specimens we have seen, this is unique. Some very minor edge chips exist but are nearly invisible. The red color is more intense from some angles which is also typical of this locality. All in all, a fine toenail sized piece, with an impressive arrangement.
SOLD Opal - vintage USA specimen
stock #SOLD 0949-JM-3447
Waterville, Douglass County
Washington,
United States
7.3 x 6.3 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Spring 23
A nearly pure mass of waxy green Opal ex AE Foote, a roughly 1890 vintage specimen. The locality listed at that time was Waterville, the capital of Douglass County in Washington. We can find no later examples of this Opal anyplace on line, though Mindat does list a deposit at a dam site and there is a lake named Opal Lake. Yet nothing looks even remotely like this specimen. So this seems to be another lost location, perhaps found in a single spot long ago. The Opal is lustrous, good dense jelly that is vividly fluorescent and has some color variation but no fire. Ex John H. Marshall collection with Foote Label attached.
Cerussite -Two generations
stock #7AE-418
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
9.8 x 8.2 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
Spring 23
Large and very well crystallized plate of Cerussite crystals that are both yellow and green colors. From an impressive find at the Daoping mine (China) in 2003. The yellow color has been referred to as Chrome Cerussite and the green as Cuprian. It is not certain if this is in fact true at this locality, but no matter which elements are causing the color the crystal are undoubtably beautiful. The condition is exceptional, all the main crystals are perfect without damage, this is remarkable due to the fragility of Cerussite and the exposure of the prisms. The largest crystal is 1.7 CM. The larger crystals are translucent yellow and the smaller earlier generation are green to blue green. A modern classic, this quality is just not available anymore.
Smithsonite
stock #7 AE-016
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
7.8 x 3.6 x 2.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Spring 23
A fine old Tsumeb Smithsonite with a chain of rhombs aligned on a thin blade of Dolomite. The Smithsonite is in excellent condition with chocolate brown crystals to 1.7 CM across on the outer edge resting on smaller yellow-brown crystals below. The luster is matte to silky and the crystals are well defined.