Super deep rich color, no damage and large size from mining in the late 1950's. These are already cherished classics for their color and luster. Much more green than the usual blue color, displays well and a very good value.
Beryl (zoned-milky white to Aquamarine)
stock #0126-JM-383
Palmital Mine, Minas Novas, Jequitinhonha Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.9 x 3.6 CM (miniature)
price: $175
An unusual Beryl crystal, from a find several years ago (1960's) that produced these odd specimens. Bright glassy luster, a deep translucent bluish white zone at the base changes to a clear blue green near the termination. There is micro chipping on some edges, as all pieces had from this find, despite this the specimen is the most pristine I have seen of this style. A very different Beryl that is certainly rare!
A Colorado classic, the Eagle mine has provided many fine specimens over the years. This is a very good Rhodo with individual sharp rhombs to 2 CM covering most of the surface. Scattered Sphalerites on the display side (and many more on the reverse side) add extra sparkle. It is rare to find examples this good from the location. This old timer is in exceptional condition, all the main rhombs are perfect. A great addition for a Colorado collection or a Rhodochrosite suite.
Quartz (very unusual habit)
stock #7.AE-246
Itabira, Itabira-Nova Era District
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.5 x 5.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $160
A very esthetic and very weird Quartz! The second generation smoky quartz looks just like a gemmy Cassiterite or a Scheelite from some angles. The crystal is strangely distorted, some faces have grown far out of usual proportions and the whole looks like a very different specie as a result. In any quartz display, this will NOT just blend in! No eye visible damage on the secondary crystal, micro chipping seen at 10X magnification.
Great contrast with sharp and lustrous Neptunites against the white Natrolite. Dozens of micro crystals are on board with lots of the rare mineral Joaquinite. The largest Neptunites reach 2 CM and show reddish highlights with good lighting. Most crystals are perfect and terminated, but there is damage to 2 crystals. These could be removed to make a "perfect" specimen but they are not bothersome to me and the overall impact is fine. Older material collected in the 60s.
Cerussite on Barite
stock #9.1-374
Mibladen Mining District, Midelt Province
Draa-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
7 x 6.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
A really nicely presented Cerussite sixling twin crystal sits atop a matrix of orange-red Barite blades. Great contrast and excellent condition on the display face. The main Cerussite is 2.7 CM across. The mines of Mibladen produced tons of average specimens but this one is far better than typical, an excellent example of a modern classic locality, a very good value.
A big, rich and esthetic specimen presenting a perfect, sharp blue Beryl 4.4 CM across. No damage at all, the top portion of the crystal is gem clear but the rest is translucent "milky" with some white veils. The architecture of this specimen is excellent and the contrast of color and texture is strong. Even with lots of Aquas from Pakistan, this stands out as a very fine and eye-catching specimen. For this quality, the price is very reasonable.
Amethyst
stock #13.1-060
Irai, Alto Urugual region
Rio Grande do Sul, South Region,
Brazil
8.1 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
Simply a very esthetic and unusually well formed piece. The "flower" is 7 cm in diameter and the individual "petals" reach 3.8 CM. The color is a gradation from light to dark purple and the whole sits neatly on a quartz matrix. Excellent condition and showy. Irai has been a very prolific location so good specimens can still be found for a reasonable sum. This is well above average for quality and a very good value.
