Smithsonite
stock #18.1-685
Xiafu, Zhoaping Co. Henzoh Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
15.3 x 5.8 x 5.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A fine, large and attractive Smithsonite with the most desired wet-look luster. From a major find in China in 2018-19 these were sold by many as Cadmium Smithsonites. This was huge news at that time and many pieces were sold for very high prices. It now seems few if any are actually true Cadmium-bearing pieces from this find, but they are as in this case still very attractive. The price of this piece is far lower than was asked in the initial offerings. In fine condition, this was sawn on the underside to remove it without damage, the sawn area is not seen on display. Super chatoyant and with great textures, this is a very nice addition to any Smithsonite suite. Better in person too.
So called fossil Bamboo, these are technically not fossils but casts where greenish-yellow to orange color Agate had formed on the outside of bamboo stems (Genus Equisetum) or other sorts of plant growths. The plants are long gone of course leaving behind hollow voids with a thin skin exterior. The overall look is a lot like a Cadmium Smithsonite and is quite esthetic, botryoidal and very eye-catching. One of the best we have seen from this find in Java, the completeness and color are especially nice. A very odd and uncommon sort of Quartz!
Sharp, perfectly formed and doubly terminated main crystal with no matrix, only a few smaller crystals and a tiny fleck of Mica are attached. A classic Maine specimen from the famed Bennett Quarry, the crystal has an unidentified thin chocolate brown skin on most of the faces. In a few spots the coating is gone and the crystal seen below is gem clear and colorless. It seems to be a simple job to remove this coating, but it may be one of the more rare Phosphates so it should stay until identified. This is an excellent specimen from this locale and with the color coating very unusual too.
Mimetite - classic German locale
stock #23.1-665
Haus Badden Mine, Sehringen, Badenweiler, Friburg
Baden-Wurttemberg,
Germany
6 x 4.5 x 3.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $165
Tiny but perfect orange balls of Mimetite on a darker matrix from this ancient Lead mine. The Haus Badden mine is known for some fine rare lead secondaries as well as some more common yet esthetic species. This specimen is from an old find, there was a newer find of Mimetite by collectors in 2009 that were yellow color, these are a much deeper orange.
