Titanite - Northeast USA classic
stock #23.1-343
Acushnet Quarry (Warren Bros.) Acushnet, Bristol County
Massachusetts,
United States
4.4 x 1.9 x .8 CM (miniature)
price: $320
Spring 23
A large, (huge for the locality), doubly terminated and complete Titanite crystal from the Acushnet Quarry. Famed for finds of Apatites some years ago, this quarry has unusual geology and had been the source of alpine cleft type specimens especially Pericline, Adularia and Apatite. A few Titanites were also found, usually small and encrusted with Chlorite. This sizable crystal is the largest I have ever seen, somewhat crude but undamaged, complete on all edges and has translucent rich green color. Very choice New England specimen.
Richterite with Magnetite
stock #23.1-350-(D5558)
Langban (Langbanshyttan)
Varmland,
Sweden
6.3 x 5.4 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Spring 23
A choice and uncommon well-crystalized Richterite from Langban, ex University of Delaware Mineral Museum. Langban is one of the world's greatest mineral localities but not often represented in display collections. This locale is famed for very rare but often unattractive specimens or very tiny crystals. There are a few exceptions like this piece of large and lustrous orange-brown Richterite crystals intermixed with Magnetite crystals. A small amount of fluorescent Calcite is also present but the main event is the Richterites that are over 1.6 CM in size.
Selenite - bladed crystals (fluorescent)
stock #17.1-050
Salinas de Otuma, Otuma Village, Paracas, Pisco, Pisco Province
Ica,
Peru
6.1 x 6.1 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $150
Spring 23
Gemmy orange blades of Selenite from the find almost 20 years ago at Salinas de Otuma. The condition is excellent and the form is an unusual, flower-like cluster. The edges of each crystal is incredibly thin and almost colorless while the center of the crystal blades is a rich orange. These have become uncommon on the market but they remain attractive and still affordable.
SOLD Calcite with Pyrite - 'Mercedes habit'
stock #SOLD 8.1-054
Manoshan Mine, Dongpo, Suxian District, Chenzoh area
Hunan Province,
China
8.8 x 4.3 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
Spring 23
Transparent Calcite crystals with distinctive "Mercedes" chevrons of Pyrite deposited on prism edges. This sort of selective deposit is quite uncommon and super esthetic. The Pyrite has an iridescent patina and contrasts with the glass-like Calcite faces that have no deposits at all. The outer edges have some cleavages but the center display area is clean, sharp and undamaged. Over the past two decades a few finds of this type have popped up, they are always small and no two are exactly the same in habit. This is an especially nice example.
Good matrix examples of Imperial Topaz are incredibly rare. Most of these crystals are recovered loose, the rare matrix pieces are typically badly broken fragments. This is quite unusual with three distinct gemmy crystals, the largest at 3.6 CM long in a hard ironstone (Hematite-rich sandstone) block. These crystals are also vividly fluorescent with a red to red-orange color, most Imperial topaz does not fluoresce but we have seen some that glow a yellow to yellow-green. On this specimen only one crystal shows a full termination and there is damage as seen, so this is not a display specimen for perfectionists but it is still impressive and very uncommon.
A killer Cornish Chalcopyrite! Excellent sharp irridescent Chalcopyrites in several habits mixed with Quartz crystals on a Chalcopyrite matrix. This looks very much like some specimens in the British Museum collection, those did not have any mine attribution, this one however is credited to the Redruth area on an older label. We have never seen anything like this from Redruth but perhaps the community of Cornish collectors have better information on that detail. We are informed that many old specimens with Redruth Labels came in fact from the nearby Carn Brea, this seems a likely possibility. No matter the mine, this has a classic Cornish look, and the crystals are especially bright with fine patina in person. There is one elongated habit Chalcopyrite crystal that is especially fine, this is a habit that is quite rare worldwide. Though Chalcopyrite is a common mineral, fine crystals are surprisingly rare and these are outstanding. Excellent display that is better in person.
Malachite crystals on Chrysocolla
stock #7.AE-262
Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
11 x 8.4 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $790
Spring 23
Matrix of rich light green veined Chrysocolla contrasts with a dense covering of darker primary Malachite crystals. An older Kolwezi specimen, this is sizable, undamaged, lustrous and displays very well. Although the Malachite appears dark under most lighting, with strong illumination these are seen as gemmy, transparent bright green crystals. The Copper Crescent zone of the Congo is an amazing and productive area. Every few years some new habits and styles are found, this piece from one era of production is a style we do not see anymore. In my opinion, these fine quality Copper secondaries represent one of the best current values of price to quality in the modern mineral market. Carefully selected, this example is really impressive in person.
Cerussite - snowflake twinned crystal
stock #23.1-357
Nakhlak Mine, Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak Dist., Nain Co.
Isfahan Province,
Iran
3.9 x 3.2 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $350
Spring 23
Excellent condition reticulated twin Cerussite crystals in classic snowflake form. Sixling crystals radiate from a central stalk and are in impressive condition for this delicate mineral. This find from about 5 years ago produced many pieces but a high percentage had damaged edges. This is far better than the usual in the find and there seems to be no more found in a few years. A fine value for esthetics and condition.
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