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
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
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
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.
A fine, glassy transparent rhomb of Rhodochrosite with great provenance. From the famed Wallace Gould Levison Collection obtained prior to 1897, from mineral dealer AN Fuller of Lawrence, Kansas. The Fuller Label is included. The locality on that label is only Lake County, Colorado. Several Colorado collectors agree that this is typical and certainly from the John Reed Mine which fits the form, color, associations and vintage for this piece. We are fairly confident this is correct but with such attributions going back over 125 years there is a possibility of error. A tiny bit of adhering sulphide is noted, probably altered Pyrite. The rhomb has both natural crystal faces and some cleavage areas. Unusually bright color this has a rich intense red not known from many places. A choice vintage Colorado specimen.
Unusually sharp, lustrous (for Columbite) and perfectly terminated, this is a choice single crystal of the specie. Ex University of Delaware Museum, the condition is outstanding especially given the fragility of Columbite. A heavy piece (just over 74 grams despite the small size), a textbook perfect example from the Brazilian pegmatites of Rio Doce.
Unusual and attractive specimen with a look that is very unusual for Colorado! The doubly terminated Calcite (twinned) is nicely perched on contrasting Malachite. With magnification it can be seen that the Malachite is both on and in smaller Calcite crystals and has a silky texture. In very good condition as seen, I have only ever seen one other example from this locale, and this piece is larger and far more well-developed. It seems these were mostly found long ago and a few more collected in 1990. None since and the mine is fully defunct.
.jpg)
