Fluorite - geometricly stepped crystal
stock #23.1-505
Tule Mine, Melchor Muzaquiz
Coahuila,
Mexico
6.1 x 5.3 x 4.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $1150
Textbook perfect example of epitaxial stepped growth, this is very fine modern classic Mexican specimen. The bright purple Fluorite cube sits on contrasting matrix, and is from the Tule Mine, well-known for good Fluorites usually on Celestite blades. This piece is unusual in both the matrix and the well-developed habit of the crystal. The crystal is sizable 3.8 CM diagonal and has darker purple zoning at the outer edges. This is an especially choice example of this style from the late 1970 era finds that are unlike the better known specimens on Celestite. Displays super well from several angles.
An especially well-formed cluster of prismatic, doubly terminated crystals of Pectolite from the great find more than 25 years ago at the Jeffrey Mine of Quebec. Pectolite is only rarely found in prismatic crystals like this, it is typically in spheres or thin radiating needles. Worldwide only the Jeffrey Mine and the Poudrette Quarry (both in Quebec, Canada) ever produced crystals of this sort. Pectolite is a Calcium analog of Serandite, which is also a Canadian specialty. These crystals are in a jackstraw arrangement and transparent on edges, lustrous and have a light milky color. In excellent condition, the form is classic for the Jeffrey Mine, this style has never been found anyplace else on earth, and is a rare crystalized representation of this specie.
A fine and esthetic old German Galena ex John H. Marshall and also Ernie Schlichter. The region of Bad Ems has at least 6 old mines most of which were prolific producers of fine Lead secondary minerals, most classically Pyromorphites. Oddly, good Galena specimens are quite rare, it was after all the main ore. The habit of these crystals is a good match to a few specimens known from the Mercur and the Neuhoffnung mines, but we do not have confirmation as to the exact mine. Never the less the specimen is in great condition as seen the crystals the cube modified by octahedron, have great patina and reach 2.3 CM in size.
Even though Tsumeb produced many good Cerussites, it is very rare to find a perfect, complete floater twin like this. No damage and with classic form, the crystals also show a rather unusual etching across the broad faces that makes very intricate striations. Not at all a typical twin this has some minor color zoning as well. Silky luster and textbook perfect, even better in person.
HOLD Fluorite on Quartz with Calcite - USA Classic
stock #HOLD A16.1-239
WL Davis-Deardorff Mine, Ozark Mahoning group, Cave-in-Rock Mining Dist.
Illinois,
United States
6.8 x 4.9 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A very choice cluster of Fluorite in zoned cubes on a Quartz matrix that has a few small Calcite crystals as well. One of the older Fluorite localities of the famed Southern Illinois region, the Deardorff Mine was both prolific and had distinctive habits. This specimen is vintage 1950 era and has small bits of adhering Petroleum on the back as was typical there. This piece has all the 4 main crystals in undamaged condition and two cubes also show excellent isolation. Quartz crystals were not very typical as matrix in the other mines of this zone, but the Deardorff was an exception.
Fluorite with Hematite, Dolomite, Baryte
stock #19.1-906
Ullcoats Mine, Egremont, Copeland
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
6.3 x 3.8 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
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.
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
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.
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