Very lustrous blue cubes of Fluorite on a light color matrix. The host rock is a mix of Dolomite and Barite with very tiny bits of Hematite in a few spots. The crystals are remarkably sharp and vivid, some show zoning especially distinctly when examined under magnification. England is famed for its many diverse Fluorites but such bright blue color is quite unusual from this region. Sharp small crystals and in fine condition.
Hubnerite - well crystalized USA classic
stock #23.1-628
Adams Mine, Silverton, San Juan County
Colorado,
United States
6.2 x 5 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Pre Tucson
Free standing, lustrous and very sharp crystals of Hubnerite from the classic Colorado locality of the Adams Mine. The crystals are translucent to transparent on thin edges, have distinct terminations and a fine copper-red color. This is in quite fine condition as well, the crystals (despite the fragile nature) are nearly all perfect, the few spots of chipping are very small and not easy to spot by naked eye. Most Hubnerite found world-wide tends to be more blocky and usually opaque if of any size. This old mine often had a more slender form typically, these are classic USA specimens and important for any Colorado collection. On a white Andesite matrix with a small amount of Pyrite, the contrast is excellent.
Lueshite - fine crystal, type locality
stock #23.1-627
Lueshe Mine, Bwito, Rutshuru Territory
North Kivu Province,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
0.7 x 0.5 x 0.6 (thumbnail)
price: $160
Pre Tucson
A single, sharp black crystal of Lueshite from the type locality. This is a super fine crystal of this very rare Niobium-Sodium specie. The form is pseudo-cubic as the crystal system is actually orthorhombic, but for all practical purposes these look perfectly like simple cubes. The mineral has been found in a few other localities but only this mine during the 1990 era and the famed Pudrette Quarry in Quebec ever produced good crystals. The Canadian specimens tend to be smaller and often look more octahedral or crude. Today more or less impossible to find on the market except from breakup of old collections.
Cubanite - conjoined sixling twin
stock #AX-24-531
Henderson Number 2, Chibougamau
Quebec,
Canada
2.5 x 1.8 x .6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $950
Pre Tucson
Super sharp and lustrous golden metallic Cubanite twins in a complete asymmetric spray. From the remote Henderson number 2 Mine, vintage 1996. The Cubanites from this mine are far and away the best in the world, sadly this was the last find. There have been no more for over 25 years. Cubanite is a fragile specie, these undamaged twins are very rare. This one is exceptional with complete edges. It may look in the photos like the edges are contacted or broken but in person they are complete and crystalized all around. The radiating crystals have the classic sixling habit that is so distinctive of this specie at this location. There are not many nice ones for sale today, this is a rare "reasonable" price thumbnail that is also much prettier in person.
A lot of species on this small specimen! The matrix here has a few small Cuprite crystals on the edges but the main open vug is packed with crystals of colorful Copper secondary minerals. The Chalcophyllite is most prominent with well-defined crystals in classic habit. It is quite rich for this locality. This is a very old mine, closed in 1840. An attractive piece though small, the Cornubite and Cornwallite are visually rather similar both in botryoidal zones and some very tiny druses, we are copying earlier labels and using previous owners checking to include both species on our listing, but we have not done further testing. There may be other species present as well, it is a densely populated specimen! I am unsure about the Liskardite, it is supposed to be there but the only spots I can find with magnification that may be this specie are very hard to see well. If present it is a very small amount and only listed for completeness. An uncommon Cornish multi-specie piece that is quite colorful.
Flourite - elongated Sspinel twin, multi color
stock #23.1-223
Hohenstein Massif, Omaruru District
Erongo Region,
Namibia
3.3 x 1.6 x .8 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $600
Pre Tucson
A textbook perfect spinel-twin crystal of Fluorite with amazing internal colors. From the find three years ago in the Erongos, this is a killer thumbnail to toenail specimen that looks fine on all sides. In excellent undamaged condition there is a small Schorl crystal jutting off the side as well. As was typical of this unusual find, some faces are quite smooth and transparent while others are frosted and more translucent. The internals in this are much like strings of color, yellow, orange, purple and a hint of red. Fluorite is by far the most collected mineral specie in the world, this piece shows why, it is colorful, strange and pretty.
Topaz - classic Mexican gem crystals
stock #23.1-559
Tepetate, Municipio de Villa Arriaga
San Luis Potosi,
Mexico
2.5 x 2.1 x 1.3 CM ()
price: $160
Pre Tucson
A pair of gemmy crystals with good cognac color jut out from the matrix. A classic Mexican habit for Topaz, this is the desired type from the famed Tepetate in San Luis Potosi. An excellent thumbnail that displays super well and is still affordable. Vintage 1970-80 era. These were common and affordable at one time, now we never see new pieces but many older collections still hold some nice ones.
Elbaite - blue-green gem crystal
stock #23.1-560
Barra do Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.1 x .8 x.7 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $340
Pre Tucson
A single very clear gem Tourmaline crystal with a color that is a bit more dark blue than green in most light. The termination is complete with the distinctive etched steps of good Barra do Salinas tips. Bright luster and glows well with backlighting. The costs of any blue Elbaite has gotten very high recently, this is a much more down to earth price and very good value.
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