Quartz on Sphalerite and Galena
stock #8.1-394
Krushev Dol Mine, Madan, Rhodope Mts.
Smolyan Oblast,
Bulgaria
10.9 x 6.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
Impressive and lustrous, this is super esthetic! A cluster of very sharp undamaged Sphalerites reaching 2.7 CM are stacked in a very nice arrangement. The real interest are the sprays of delicate needle Quartz that decorate the piece and add lots of contrast. As a bonus there are some good Galenas as well. This can be displayed from several angles. Despite some damage to a few Quartz needles, this is still a a top shelf piece from a very important location that is now closed.
A Mexican classic! The Adamites of the Ojuela Mine are probably the world's best. Many styles and colors are known, but almost nothing of quality has been found for many years. This type of ball aggregate is very desirable, getting hard to find and usually very expensive. On this one the large ball is 2.3 CM and well placed, it is fully crystallized with good green color. A flat spot on the top seems to be a contact but there is no damage anyplace. Quite esthetic and very well priced.
Wulfenite
stock #8.1-356
Tuokexun County, Tulufan Prefecture
Xinjiang Autonomous Region,
China
4.2 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $400
A very different, pretty and unusual style of Wulfenite from the finds in Xinjiang of 2007. This is the only piece I have seen of this Wulfenite that has a chocolate brown to greenish color on one side of the crystals and a dark red-brown on the other side. Sparkling and delicate this small miniature has many crystals without damage. The largest reach 1.6 CM and have a beveled edge termination. The darker color and glassy luster reminds me of Magma mine Barites. For any Chinese suite or Wulfenite collection this is special, its not like any other Wulfenite produced here!
Manganite w. Barite
stock #8.1-421
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz Mts
Thuringia,
Germany
5.2 x 3.4 CM (miniature)
price: $380
From the most famous and classic locality for Manganite this is a very attractive recent specimen excavated from an adit discovered on an old dump dating to the 1500s. Much Manganite in collections can have several hundred years of history as the Harz Mts have produced the best materials centuries ago. This find produced a small number of good pieces some with very bright luster. This is a good example with excellent contrast with the calcite that has been partially etched away. This is also far more affordable than the vintage materials when they can be found!
It has been several years since any specimens have come from the Chasen Mine, I hear it is fully flooded now. This is a fine example of the quality the mine was capable of producing. A sizable (4 CM) gemmy Fluorite has a rim of epitaxial Dolomite crystals making a "nest" along two edges. This sits on sprays of Mangano calcite that are dusted with micro pyrites. Only very minor chipping that is not distracting, and nice FL as well. There is a little similarity to the material from the nearby Xinghuapu Mine, but the differences are distinctive. Suitable in any collection but especialy good for Fluorite suites or Chinese collections.
Adularia (manebach twin)
stock #6.3-915
Cavradi gorge, Tujetsch, Surselva Region
Grischun (Grisons),
Switzerland
10.9 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
A wonderfully esthetic example of Swiss Adularia, a well defined Manebach twin set on a slender shard of matrix. Excellent condition, sawn on the back to remove this without damage. You don't need to be a Feldspar collector to appreciate the setting of this twin!
Native Silver with minor Copper
stock #8.AE-941
Wolverine Mine, Wolverine, Houghton Co.
Michigan,
United States
12.2 x 5.2 x 1 CM (cabinet)
price: $940
A very large and rich Silver from the Wolverine Mine. This has almost 100 percent Silver but there is a tiny splotch of Copper on one edge. The Silver has a patina ranging from near black to iridescent to brighter silver tones. Some of the Silver at first glance looks copper-like. Some bits of matrix are included but this is nearly all metal. With low magnification some herringbone and crude crystals are seen as well. In outstanding condition this is a classic and heavy chunk of Michigan Silver!
Rhodochrosite with Native Silver
stock #8.1-419
Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co. Wuzoh Pref.
Guangxi Province,
China
4.1 x 3.8 CM (miniature)
price: $1650
A big rich red translucent rhomb that is quite a good Rhodo on its own. However, this has the addition of wire silver and silver "skins" in several spots. The largest wire is about 7mm long and easily visible. This locality has produced only a few good examples of this rare association. This is an outstanding one. The crystal is transparent to translucent and glows with any backlighting. There is the typical internal stress fractures visible inside, a contact on the backside, and cleaving on the exterior as seen in the photos. Despite this it is a very attractive, displayable, bright and eyecatching crystal in the top percentile of quality from this location. A most desirable piece for a Chinese suite, Rhodo or Silver collection or just for the novelty and color!
