Sphalerite on Siderite - German classic
stock #22.FC-020
Neudorf, Harzgerode, Harz
Saxony- Anhalt,
Germany
4 x 2.7 x 1.7 CM (miniature)
price: $1660
Early summer 2023
Choice, lustrous and quite rare, fine Sphalerite from the famed Neudorf Mines. This locale was worked for Silver and Lead mostly in the 18th century and closed in 1903. The mine is renowned for some of the world's best Galenas and Bournonites from that era which are among the world's great mineral treasures. Sphalerite however is far more rare from this locality, and good examples are almost never seen. This piece has a main crystal just under 2 CM in size, the Siderite is crystalized as yellow to brown rhombs and makes a nice contrast. The Sphalerites are mostly a lustrous black but at the right angles there are bright flashes of red color. A fine and very old miniature of this classic locale.
Fluorite - spherical crystals on Quartz
stock #22.1-257
Namakwa
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Early summer 2023
Fluorite balls on contrasting matrix with smaller gemmy cubes as well. The Fluorites are a deep purple, translucent, and the spheres show well-defined stepping modifications and crystalline structures under magnification. Fluorite balls are known from several localities but it is rare to see the crystal structure that created them, these spheres show very well the modifications that caused these to be round. In excellent condition.
Silver wires on Barite - classic Colorado
stock #19.1-895
White Raven Mine, Ward Mining District, Boulder County
Colorado,
United States
5.7 x 3 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Early summer 2023
Vintage specimen (1920-30 era) of fine twisted and tangled native Silver wires filling spaces between Barite crystals. From the White Raven Mine, (Boulder Colorado area) Ex Wards with George M English type label. In fine condition, and spectacular under magnification this is a classic combo for this locale. Close exam finds a few Acanthite crystals and rhombs of Siderite, the Silver has a dark patina overall. Rarely available antique and very uncommon in this quality.
Vanadinite, Mimetite and Mottramite
stock #19.1-891
Tiger, Mammoth St Anthony District, Pinal County
Arizona,
United States
4.3 x 3.6 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $200
Early summer 2023
Bright, colorful and sparkling multi-specie specimen from the great Tiger (Mammoth-St.Anthony) of Arizona. Vivid red Vanadinites, sharp dark green to yellow-brown Mottramite and yellow Mimetite are the main components. Tiger Minerals are more or less legendary, the locality is unique in its complex mineralogy and beloved by many. This specimen looks nice on display but under magnification it is truly incredible.
Cubanite - very large crystals
stock #8.AE-702
Henderson Number 2, Chibougamau
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 4.3 x 1.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $2900
Early summer 2023
Large twinned crystals in a cluster with minimal matrix. The 2 largest crystals are 3.7 and 2.9 CM across which is huge for the specie. None of the 5 main crystals are perfect, all are either contacted or have some edge chipping. The right side crystal that looks broken in photos is mostly only contacted and has a stepped crystal growth on the edge. All crystals are a bright golden metallic and most show the classic twinning that is famed at this locale. While not for perfectionists this is still a substantial specimen and not 5 or 6 figures in price.
The Henderson Mine at Chibougamau closed forever in 1986. For a very short time the best Cubanites ever seen were produced, though great ones were still very rare. Today these are prized as modern classics and when perfect command very high prices. While this is not perfect it is still attractive and the crystals are exceptionally large.
Smithsonite
stock #19.1-903
79 Mine, Hayden, Banner District, Gila County
Arizona,
United States
6.2 x 3.7 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $220
Early summer 2023
Apple green Smithsonite in botryoidal form on matrix. From the 79 Mine (Hayden, Arizona), a well-known old locality that was a source of some excellent color Smithsonites a few years ago. The luster is slightly matte with a velvet-like look. Smithsonite is found in a wide range of colors, this hue of green is rare at many locations but it is a classic color at the 79 mine.
Cerussite - stacked sixling twins
stock #19.1-105
Broken Hill, Yancowinna County
New South Wales,
Australia
7.3 x 5.3 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $2400
Early summer 2023
An elegant stack of sixling twinned Cerussites from the classic Broken Hill Mine (Australia). The stack, when viewed from the ends, looks like a typical six-ray star form Cerussite, but when seen on the side is a stack of many connected twins in an aligned cluster. In remarkable condition for this delicate mineral, there is no damage seen by naked eye. This is another modern classic locale although it dates back to 1885, it was until recently one of the major Lead mines in the world. This specimen is fairly old and unusual as the delicate reticulation is very well defined and far more lustrous than most. A super Cerussite from Broken Hill and about as fine as can be found outside museums.
Botallackite - very rich specimen
stock #22.1-381
Cligga Mine, Cligga Head, Perranporth, Perranzabuloe, St. Agnes District
Cornwall,
England
7.8 x 5.9 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Early summer 2023
A fine and sizable classic Botallackite from Cligga Head (Cornwall) with dense coverings of bright vivid green crystals. A fairly rare Copper Chloride, these crystals are on every side of the matrix. There are two larger flat faces on either side that are nearly solid lustrous Botallackite. Not often seen as display quality specimens (most are micros) this piece has fine impact. Quite big crystals for the specie and on an attractive cabinet sized matrix .
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