Striking, colorful and complex specimen with well-defined Wulfenite crystals that are partly to fully overgrown with bright green secondary copper minerals. In fine condition as seen, the largest Wulfenites are over 1.5 CM with a butterscotch orange color. Tsumeb is famed for its great specimens with diverse species, habits, colors and chemistries. The results are sometimes especially attractive like this. The associations here are especially impressive.
An outstanding assemblage of well-crystalized uncommon minerals from the famed Mt St. Hilaire. The large pink Schizolite crystals are slightly radiating and reach over 5 CM. Schiziolite from this locality had been misidentified for decades as Serandite, which also is found there. The Kupletskite is in two forms thin blades in sprays and larger more blocky crystals. The Calcioancylite is less noticeable in very tiny white crystals. Attractive and uncommon species are well-presented in this well-crystalized Alkaline assemblage.
Plancheite with Heterogenite crystals
stock #8.AE-635
Mashaba West Mine, Kolwezi Mining District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.5 x 3.4 x 3.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $230
An open cavity filled with sharp needle-like blue Plancheite crystals and small black spherical Heterogenite which also is crystalized in some spots. An excellent example of the specie and with attractive powder blue color in fine condition. This specimen is illustrated in Mindat as well.
Pyromorphite - important, historic
stock #1023-JM-553
Berezovsk Mine, Ekaterinburg, Sverdlovskaya Oblast, Middle Urals
Sverdlovsk Oblast,
Russia
8.2 x 7.3 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $2200
Pre Tucson
From the Harvard Museum collection then by trade (1977) to John Marshall, this is a very old specimen originally in the Leibener collection. Exceptional size and quality for this famous Siberian Urals locality where mining began in 1747. Although this was a gold mining area there were many other minerals found there, it is the type locality for 7 species one of which (Crocoite) led to the discovery of the element Chromium. This is an extraordinary rich and significant Pyro specimen from this classic locality, it may be the best extant outside of a major museum. Typical specimens are usually just druzy crusts and association pieces. The Pyromorphite here is deep forest green with the main crystalized mass of 6x5 CM. Individual prisms are up to 6 mm in size though most are under 4mm. In remarkably good condition, no obvious naked eye visible damage but magnification does show several small broken and chipped crystals. Despite this it is still a good display quality specimen and would be a fine addition to any serious Pyromorphite suite or Russian collection.
Breunnerite - (Fe bearing Magnesite)
stock #AX-35-102
Muhlebach, Ernen, Goms
Wallis,
Switzerland
4.3 x 3 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $220
Pre Tucson
Something quite unusual. Breunnerite is a variety of Magnesite that was for almost 2 centuries considered to be an accepted mineral specie. This is now classified as a Magnesite variety but with a high Iron ratio and Mg dominant. No matter the classification, these are huge crystals for this variety, up to 2.8 CM and these contrast well with the greenish Talc matrix. The best of this material is found in European Alpine regions, as was this specimen. The crystals also show zoning and look much more like Siderite than Magnesite, and are partially translucent. Not often seen at all in the mineral market here, this is an especially well-crystallized specimen.
Wulfenite on Cerussite
stock #RP 20-FC-059-(9164)
MFouati Mine, Bouenza Department
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
4.8 x 3.8 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $2850
Pre Tucson
The new finds of Wulfenites of M'Fouati have been huge news in the mineral world. The association with Cerussite and the remarkable etching of the blocky habits is unlike any others ever found. This specimen has superb esthetics all around and is in perfect condition. The Wulfenite has intense color with glassy luster on some faces and many geometrically etched patterns on other faces. The Cerussite is complete, undamaged on all sides with just a small contacted area on the underside. These Cerussites are twinned in multiple ways and some are also etched on selective faces. There were not many specimens of this top caliber found, these few killers are instant classics.
Chrysocolla - druzy sprays
stock #RET 20.1-325
Inca De Oro, Chanaral
Atacama Region,
Chile
8.3 x 7.9 x 6.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Pre Tucson
Colorful, sparkling sprays of radiating Chrysocolla filling a vug in ore. The drusy Quartz covers the Chrysocolla and there is a zone of light blue druzy as well. In fine condition, this deposit has been exhausted for many years these Chrysocolla are modern classics.
Topaz - classic Russian, on Feldspar, Quartz
stock #ARET 16.1-597
Murzinka Mine,Sarapulka Dist., Sverdlovskaya Oblast, Middle Urals
Urals Region,
Russia
5.4 x 3.2 x 3 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $560
Pre Tucson
A 2.5 CM tall gem clear colorless Topaz crystal rises above the contrasting Matrix. The Topaz is undamaged, in impeccable condition, the matrix has some bruising but it is the matrix and not at all a detriment. A very nice composition over all, good Topaz from the Urals is something of a mineralogical prize and highly respected by collectors. A very good value for the quality and esthetics.
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