Fluorite on Quartz and Pyrite
stock #23.1-066
Akchatau Mine, Akshatau, Shet
Karaganda Region,
Kazakhstan
9.7 x 5.5 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1550
Pre Tucson
Exceptional Fluorite on Quartz from the find almost 20 years ago In Kazakstan. This piece has etched purple octahedrons perched on smoky Quartz crystals. In fine condition, the Quartz is transparent and lustrous. The octahedrons reach 3.4 CM across and the textured faces contrast with the glassy Quartz crystals. This was not a large find and very few were available at the time of discovery. This piece is far better than typical for form, esthetics and condition. This has a lighter hue than most of the Fluorites found which were dark purple to almost black. The mine here is in fact several hundred individual excavations in small localized deposits. The mine area is well-known for occasional finds of purple Creedite and several rare species. This habit and style though uncommon is also still easily recognized as a Kazak specimen.
Inesite, Apophyllite and Hubeite on Quartz
stock #AX-15-196
Fengjiashan Mine (Daye Mine), Daye County, Huangshi Pref.
Hubei Province,
China
10.4 x 8.3 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Pre Tucson
From a small find about 10 years ago, a most unusual but also very esthetic specimen. From the Chinese suite of the Shields Flynn collection, this is an amazing style of Inesite unlike any other. The matrix of this is nearly all Quartz crystals in two generations and a little Pyrite, it is covered with dozens of long slender Inesite crystals most of which are covered by tiny sparkling Apophyllite crystals. The Hubeite crystals are lustrous brown, scattered all over but especially rich on the backside. Overall the specimen is very three dimensional, visually complex and has a superb display impact. There are a few small uncoated Inesites which are bright pink to orange, but the main Inesite are fully covered by clear Apophyllite. In fine condition as seen.
Fluorite - etched 360 degree cluster
stock #23.1-265
Leadhill Mine area, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
4.6 x 3.1 x 2.6 CM (miniature)
price: $190
Pre Tucson
From the recent find at Lead Hill, this is a highly etched cluster of stacked cubes that is crystalized on all sides with no point of attachment. The color ranges from a deep purple to almost colorless. On close exam there are some phantoms as well. The surface is highly etched but still geometric in structure. Some faces have a distinctive melted look. No obvious damage or chipping, this is a complete floater. It is great to see a few nice Fluorites are still being found in Southern Illinois.
Cerussite - Arizona classic
stock #23.1-646
Mammoth -St Anthony Mine, Tiger, Mammoth District, Pinal County
Arizona,
United States
2.5 x 2.3 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $150
Pre Tucson
A Tiger Cerussite thumbnail with thick habit crystals and minimal matrix. The Cerussite has a light orange to yellow color, not the more typical white. There is chipping on the backside and one edge so not for perfectionists but still a nice thumbnail from the legendary Tiger. The chipping is shown on the last two photos. The largest crystal is 1.6 CM, terminated and has some translucence.
A killer thumbnail of classic rich red garnet contrasting with white Calcite. The source is well-known as Eden Mills (Vermont USA), but the true location is Lowell and Eden Mills. This classic locality had some super intense color Garnets which were usually seen on a dark green diopside matrix. However in the mine most fine Garnets were encased in Calcite which was usually removed with acid to expose the Garnets better. This is an unusual example that has not been acid etched and has a sharp gem Grossular peeking out as if in a blanket of snow. Close exam shows a few tiny Diopside crystals poking out as well. In outstanding condition, despite the small size the display impact is exceptional. It would be easy to further expose the Garnet but to my taste it is great as is. This mine has been closed for decades and these fine Grossular are prized worldwide.
Smithsonite
stock #16.1-352
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5 x 4.7 x 4.2 CM (miniature)
price: $440
Pre Tucson
A fine very deep green Smithsonite from Tsumeb. Tsumeb Smithsonite are found in almost every color and hue, it is not surprising that several collectors have specialized on the amazing array the mine has produced during its lifetime. This dark green is a very uncommon color and the specimen shows both classic botryoidal forms and some crude but still distinct crystals. In excellent condition overall, only edge chipping where this was removed, the main zones are perfect.
A superb minature that displays well 360 degrees. Ex Phil Scalise collection, this is in impeccable, undamaged condition. The tree-like tower of white to colorless Anglesites shows several crystal forms but all are lustrous and sharp. Exceptional quality for this locality and really nice Angesite from anyplace for that matter. This is an older specimen though the exact vintage is uncertain. This sort of cluster is rare and unknown from other localities. A great addition to any Lead secondary collection or for those who appreciate esthetic mineral oddities. A hefty specimen of Lead Sulphate, this miniature weighs 72 grams.
Green gemmy Elbaite Tourmalines in Quartz from the famed Mt Mica (Maine, USA). The Elbaites reach 2.6 CM long and are mostly transparent. From the famed dealer A.E. Foote this label dates to the 1879-1895 era, and is an unusual format for a Foote label. The backside of the label has a handwritten note in French that seems to be giving the value in 1951 as 10.00 USD, a very large sum at that time. This is a classic type of Mt Mica Tourmaline and a good representaive of a classic Northeastern US locale.
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