Hematite - Iron Rose form
stock #19.1-512
Saint Gotthard Massif, Leventina
Ticino,
Switzerland
3.2 x 3.1 x 2.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $350
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
Complete, lustrous and undamaged Swiss Iron Rose Hematite. The rose is perched on a small bit of matrix, mostly tiny Adularia crystyals and a bit of Quartz. The itself is 2.7 CM across and especially bright in person. These are classic Alpine specimens and good complete roses are quite prized. This small rose is a very good value and far less costly than a similar but slightly larger specimen.
Fluorite - unusual locale
stock #15.1-1052-(SM1517)
El Papiol, Valles Occidental-Baix Liabregat, Barcelona
Catalonia,
Spain
10.4 x 7.7 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A fine and colorful plate of vivid green Fluorite in rounded octahedral crystals. This is almost certainly from the Berta Quarry which is closed but for a while was a good source of specimens. We do not see many good pieces in the USA and now they are now quite scarce on the market everywhere. This is a much better than average piece. In fine shape, ex Charles M Noll collection via the Seamen Museum. In person the color is more intense, a "jelly-bean green". Over all in very good condition, the Fluorites cover one side of the matrix plate completely, there are a few on the reverse as well. Crystals reach to about 1 cm though most are about 7-8 MM.
Kyanite - gemmy prismatic crystal
stock #25.1-280
Vitoria de Conquista
Bahia,
Brazil
3.7 x 1.6 x .9 CM (miniature)
price: $340
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A deep blue terminated and prismatic crystal of Kyanite. This is undamaged with a pearly luster, the faces are distinct with slightly soft, etched edges. Fully translucent to partly transparent. This has an especially vivid color and quality far beyond typical specimens of Kyanite. This is from a small production of crystals from Vitoria da Conquista (Bahia, Brazil) which is not a well-known source and has a distinctly different look from other localities.
Apatite with Albite - new find
stock #25.1-171
Serrinha Mine, Medina
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.3 x 2.9 x 3.3 CM (miniature)
price: $350
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
From a new find in late 2024, a doubly terminated Apatite crystal perched on Albite crystals. From the famed Medina area pegmatite zone, the luster is mostly glassy and the translucent to transparent crystal is 2 CM long. With strong backlight this is a bright green to yellow color and glows well (these photos are not backlit). In more normal lighting the crystal is a dark green to brownish hue. A crack is noted in the crystal on close exam, however it is natural and stable, not evident on display. No repairs or damage to note. This is also strongly fluorescent.
Rhodochrosite with Aegirine and Natrolite
stock #23.1-150
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 4.8 x 3.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $450
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A complex multi-specie specimen that is about 90 percent Rhodochrosite with dark red color. The Rhodo is in rhombic crystals many of which are intergrown with or contacted by other species. The red color and luster is quite deep and vivid for a Mont St. Hilaire Rhodochrosite. Some parts of these crystals are gemmy being transparent in areas but most are translucent. Rhodos from here are usually dull, less red, more pink to brownish or have a flattened twinning habit. A modern Canadian classic.
Kunzite - vintage California gem crystal
stock #25.1-318-(AC)
Pala, San Diego Co.
California,
United States
5.9 x 1.2 x .8 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
An early California Kunzite crystal with good clarity and color. Ex Schortmanns with a late 1930 era label, this was a fairly expensive 3.50, at that time a lot of money. We now know that these had been sourced for Schortmann’s by Arthur Montgomery and Ed Over from the Pala area. Ex Immer Cook collection with that label as well. A good Kunzite and a nice slice of USA mineral history.
Malachite with Chrysocolla
stock #BP-065
L Etoile du Congo Mine (Star of the Congo), Lubumbashi
Shaba,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.6 x 4.8 x .7 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A sliced section of Malachite stalactite with the rare addition of blue Chrysocolla inside the Malachite structure. An older piece from the Star of the Congo Mine, this is polished on both sides and in fine condition. The stalactites of Malachite from this mine were well-known some time ago and did often have incredible patterns in the cross-sections but the integration of the blue Chrysocolla was very uncommon and especial striking. A choice and unusual Copper secondary specimen and a really nice Congo piece, ex Dr. Barratt Phillips collection.
Aquamarine Beryl with hollow tubes
stock #18.1-427
Padre Paraiso, Jequitinhonha Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
4.1 x 1.2 x 1 CM (miniature)
price: $440
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A complete and unusual Beryl crystal with glassy faces, sharp termination and a central hollow tube running inside the crystal. There are several other tubes parallel to the main one as well but the central tube is the largest opening in the middle of the termination. From finds made about 25 years ago at Padre Paraíso, this is in perfect undamaged condition. This is certainly clear enough to be gem facet grade but the internal tubes are not always desirable unless making an exotic type cut. This has saved this from cutting and a very nice specimen for those who appreciate the unusual!
.jpg)
.jpg)