Grossular with Heazlewoodite, Clinoclore and Gold!
stock #AX-16-431
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 3 x 3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $1500
Pre Tucson
An important and exotic piece from Jeffrey Mine, this has the deep green gemmy Grossular (so called Chrome Grossular) scattered on a matrix of Clinochlore etc. This alone is not so exotic or important, but both Heazlewoodite and native Gold are. While this is an attractive specimen of brilliant Garnets, the main interest (for some) is several very well-formed, sharp tiny crystals and clusters of Heazelwoodite. Seen with magnification these are textbook sharp, of course this is a rare mineral worldwide and very rare at Jeffrey. But what makes this even more important is only seen starting at 40 X magnification and best revealed at 80-100x. There are several tiny but distinct crystals of Gold some of which are elongated. Of course this is all micro sized but super-rare and impossible to find material from this world-class locality. Aside from the exciting micros, the overall esthetics of the bright green Grossular is attractive in its own right. Unfortunately our photographs at very low magnifications can not show the micros properly, but they may be rephotographed later on with specialized gear.
Wurtzite, Bismuthinite and Quartz etc.
stock #6.2-842
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.2 x 4.3 x 3.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $750
Pre Tucson
A well-formed Wurtzite crystal cluster on a complex multi-specie specimen from the amazing Yaogangxian Mine. The specimen has several Quartz crystals that are partly coated with Muscovite and sprinkled with metallic hairlike crystals of Bismuthinite. The Wurtzite is mostly seen in a 2.2 CM diameter cluster of stacked brown-red crystals that have a bright luster. In some photos these look silvery metallic due to the reflections on the surface but in hand the color is typical dark brown to almost black. Wurtzite from Yaoganxian is a very rare specie, this is the largest and best we have seen and is exceptional for the locality.
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.
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.
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.
Legrandite
stock #14.1-085
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
4.7 x 3.5 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $750
Pre Tucson
Bright yellow sprays of fine Legrandite crystals in a shallow vug. These crystals are gemmy and have a bright glassy luster, reaching to 2.4 CM in length. World-wide Legrandite is very rare and good pieces are prized. From the Robert Ray collection with label dating the piece to 1974, so this piece is part of the early top find at Ojuela. In fine condition and very esthetic, the world’s best Legrandite has come from this locality and from this era. Such nice quality is only available from older collections being dispursed, very little of quality has been found in the past few decades and nothing at all for a few years.
Galena - exotic form
stock #23.1-496
Fletcher Mine, Big Bear orebody, Vibernum Trend, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
6.1 x 1.1 x .9 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
Pre Tucson
A crazy form and a superb Galena crystal puzzle. This is a complete crystal with no point of attachment, no contacts or damage at all. A true "floater" this has bright metallic luster, gun-metal blue color and some iridescence. From a small find some time ago at the Fletcher Mine, these are not like any other Galena we have seen from anyplace. The form seems to us to be a spinel-twin habit but there is disagreement on this, some say they are elongated untwinned cube stacks. Time will tell as this is sorted out. Most faces are curved or bent and the form is certainly exotic. A very impressive Galena no matter the technical details.
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
Pre Tucson
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.
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