Pyrrhotite - rare penetration twin
stock #14.1-100
Dalnegorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
4.1 x 2.9 x 2.8 CM x 2.9 (miniature)
price: $760
Pre Tucson
Textbook perfect, complete and sharp this is an unusual type of twin for Pyrrhotite. With small areas of Galena and Sphalerite, this is essentially all Pyrrhotite. In excellent condition as seen, no damage at all but the usual tension cracks are seen as is typical though there is no repair or instability. Great golden patina and displays well from most any angle, a choice Dalnegorsk piece and an excellent twin Pyrrohotite. Since Pyrrhotite is generally found in hexagonal crystals, the penetration twin has 4 terminations showing with six sides on each end, all at 90 degrees from each other. This is only the second such twin I have ever seen.
SOLD Fluorite - zoned, new find from southern Illinois
stock #SOLD 23.1-263
Leadhill Mine area, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
5.6 x 4.5 x 3.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $0
Pre Tucson
From a series of small finds at the Lead Hill Mines in 2022, this is a glassy, sharp and vivid piece. The zoning is the classic phantoms of cubic internal boxes. Color varies from deep purple to a light violet to almost colorless. There is internal Chalcopyrite as well but very small. The base and backside have cleaves where this was in contact but most of the specimen is fine. A few from this find had zoned fluorescence, this one does and has some zones of the rare red color along with more typical blue and white zones. For several years we all have been missing new Fluorites from the great southern Illinois districts, the mines are closed and mostly exhausted. This recent trickle of nice pieces are very welcome in the mineral community. They are also a bit different from others in the region and make a nice addition for any good Fluorite suite.
A well-positioned Zircon crystal dominates this thumbnail specimen from Bancroft, Canada. The Zircon from this locality are variety Cyrtolite and this specimen has a very well-formed red- brown crystal that is perfectly exposed and is doubly terminated. Ex Hitchings collection obtained in 1969. Slightly translucent the crystal is not damaged but on the backside is some contacting not seen from any display angle.
Anglesite on Galena
stock #16.1-370
Broken Hill, Yancowinna County
New South Wales,
Australia
7.3 x 5.9 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $180
Pre Tucson
Several well-formed Anglesite crystals are scattered on a nearly pure Galena matrix. From the famed Broken Hill Mines, the Anglesites are milky white, undamaged and well-exposed. These show the blocky habit well and reach up to 1 CM though 5-7 MM is average.
Beryl - etched crystal
stock #23.1-660
Medina Pegmatite field, Pedra Azul District
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
2.3 x 1.0 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $360
Pre Tucson
A fine thumbnail of etched green to yellow hue Beryl crystal. This is doubly terminated from the famed Medina finds of Minas Gerais. This color is exactly between a Heliodor and Aquamarine, depending on the type of light it is seen in it will look like either. A very nice thumbnail with tapered termination on one end and a flat one on the other side. Fully transparent, this is an older piece from the 1970 era, ex. Les Hitchings collection. In excellent condition as seen.
A fine Italian Garnet specimen with two generations of Grossular on sharp Clinochlore crystals. The smaller Grossular are gemmy red and very bright in color. The larger Garnets are a deeper orange to brown color and also very lustrous. In very good condition overall, there are some broken areas but only on the outer perimeter. Classic and pretty.
Peridot (Forsterite) - gemmy crystals
stock #23.1-592-(DN)
Sapat Gall, Naran, Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District
Kyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan
4.3 x 2.7 x 2.4 CM (miniature)
price: $380
Pre Tucson
A very nice pair of gem green Peridot crystals on a typical Amphibole matrix from the great discoveries at Sapat Gali (Pakistan). The largest crystal is just over 2 CM, these are well-terminated and show the classic form of etched or so called wrinkled faces. There is considerable good facet grade rough in these crystals but for us it makes a nice specimen as is. Very nice color.
A choice Aquamarine specimen in excellent undamaged condition having super glassy luster and some excellent zoning with gem clear sections. The main crystal is doubly terminated and a full 6.7 CM long. There are two other smaller gem crystals as well and the specimen is fringed with Muscovite. From the amazing pegmatites of the Shigar Valley (Pakistan) which is the source of most of the world's greatest Aquamarines. Before the discovery of this rugged area such specimens were incredibly rare and very costly. Due to the size and quality of the discoveries here, the prices of such choice pieces is now far more accessible for collectors. Of course, no source in the mineral world lasts forever and these will always be desirable. An excellent value.
