Proustite - well-crystalized with minor Acanthite
stock #24.1-287-(DK)
Imiter Mine, Imiter Mining Dist., Tinghir Province
Draa-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
4.3 x 2.3 x 1.8 CM (miniature)
price: $1450
Vivid red crystals on all sides of this very fine miniature Proustite from the famed Imiter mine of Morocco. In exceptional undamaged condition this displays well from any angle. The luster in person is far more bright that photos can show, and the visual impact is top notch. This is nearly all Proustite with just a little Acanthite matrix that is densely covered by these crystals. Far better than average quality and visual impact. Prior to the discovery of fine Proustites in Morocco good specimens were only ever available from the sale of old collections of classic European localities or the long gone Charancillo Mine of Chile. Ruby Silvers like this are prized and highly sought after. While the newer Proustites from Imiter are available now in very limited amounts they are a special chance to obtain a super specimen of this specie at a reasonable price compared to the classics. As this is also a recent find the color is still a fresh vibrant red.
Silver - Native wire form
stock #AX-7 067-(602)
San Martin Mine, Sombrerete Municipality
Zacatecas,
Mexico
6 x 2.6 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $320
A rather rare locale, a wire Silver from San Martin in Zacatecas, Mexico. Ex Larry White collection mid 1970's vintage, the wire is about 1-1.5 MM thick, and has a very nice patina. San Martin was a very rich Silver mine but most of the silver we see from there are sheets and masses, only a few wires are seen and usually not with this morphology. This is the only slender long wire I have seen like this from the region.
Mimetite
stock #24.1-457
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
2.6 x .8 x .7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $90
A gem clear yellow Mimetite thumbnail with elongated habit. From the golden age at Tsumeb, the main crystal is 2.5 CM tall. In good condition overall however the termination has a tiny rough contact point. Displays well and has great luster, the tip contact keeps this a very inexpensive piece so if you are not a perfectionist, a great value.
Rhodonite - fine bladed crystals
stock #24.1-229-(DK)
San Martin Mine, Huallanca, Bolognesi Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
3.5 x 2.4 x 2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $880
Exceptionally well-formed crystals of Rhodonite with no matrix and in fine condition. The crystals have distinct terminations and are transparent on the thin side and have good deep color seen on edges. All in great condition and with far better than the usual esthetics, color and luster. From finds about 7 years ago, this quality has not been found for a while and is quite uncommon on the market now.
SOLD Red Beryl
stock #SOLD 24.1-449
Violet Claims, Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County
Utah,
United States
5.7 x 5.3 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $0
A small but perfect doubly-terminated red Beryl crystal embedded in white Rhyolite matrix. While this is only about 6MM in size it is sharp, glassy has some transparency with bright color zoning. These Red Beryls are unique to this area and are highly sought after. Larger crystals are quite costly and it can be hard to find a clean, yet affordable, specimen. A very good value for this rare gem crystal. Could be trimmed to a thumbnail but is nice in this size as well.
Grossular on Diopside
stock #22.1-342
VAG Mine, Lowell & Eden
Vermont,
United States
3.3 x 3.1 x 2.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $850
Vivid, bright red Garnets are clustered on contrasting dark green Diopside crystals. The famed location of "Eden Mills" (actually Lowell and Eden in Vermont) is the site of the VAG Mine that long ago produced some of the very best Grossular Garnets ever found in the USA. The mine has been closed for decades and certainly will never reopen. Such specimens are now rare and often incredibly expensive if with any sort of decent quality. This is a very nice piece, perfect except for some very tiny rough edge spots on some minor crystals best seen by loupe. By naked eye it seems fully perfect. Bright luster and color, the Garnets have considerable gem transparent areas.
Elbaite - Etched scepter crystal
stock #24.1-243-(DK)
Barra do Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.1 x 1.6 x 1.4 (thumbnail)
price: $2990
A very sharp, gem clear and vivid color scepter Tourmaline of the type that made Barra do Salinas famous. This is an older piece and in person far more gemmy and bright than most that are on the market today. It is certainly competition grade and stands out from most others of this material. The stem is well-etched and is also transparent seen through the complex striations. Super esthetic with a bright green cap that contrasts beautifully with the white, pink and red stem. This is still small enough to be a thumbnail but just barely. It is complete, undamaged, doubly terminated and has a display impact much bigger than the small size.
Calcite - classic English
stock #13.1-185
Pallaflat Mine, Bigrigg, West Cumberland Iron Field
Cumbria,
England
4.2 x 4 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $700
Fine transparent Calcite crystals from long ago in good condition. The Pallaflat Mine in the old Cumbrian Iron Mining area was famed for these Calcites. The mine worked from 1874 to 1914, although a few good specimens were found later on the dumps, the best of these Calcites came from deep underground and are over a century old. Not quite perfect, one crystal has a tiny tip contact but the rest are perfect. Remarkably fine for such an old and delicate mineral specimen. This displays well from several angles.