Chalcocite - Cornish classic
stock #13.1-258
Levant Mine, Trewellard, St Just,
Cornwall,
England
4.7 x 3.1 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $570
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
Chalcocite twin crystals on a matrix that includes some Copper. The Chalcocite are twinned on the (010) and (020) and these are pseudo orthorhombic. From the Levant Mine which was one of the more prolific sources of Chalcocite, this has the characteristic dark and rather dull patina that is noted on many of the very old specimens. A classic that is probably well over 100 years old, the mine began in 1793. The earlier mining was concentrated on Copper minerals like this but later was more focused on Tin extraction.
Datolite on Prehnite with Calcite
stock #25.1-316
Lane Quarry, Westfield, Hampden Co.
Massachusetts,
United States
4.9 x 2.7 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $220
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A Northeast USA classic locale, the Lane Quarry has been long known as a source of fine Datolite crystals. Before the finds at Dalnegorsk some of those were perhaps the world’s largest and best. While this is not a huge crystal, it is still a very nice one from anyplace. It sits at just over 2 CM long, it is sharp, glassy, gemmy and nicely perched on a Prehnite matrix. Some orange Calcites add sparkle and color. An attractive piece from a locale not often seen on the market. The lower termination of the crystal grades to a light champagne color and is actually gem grade.
Veszelyite
stock #24.1-453
Palabanda Quarries, Mfouati, Mfouati District
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
6.4 x 3.8 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $340
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
Crystals of Veszelyite with differing color and habit cover some faces and vugs on this Congo specimen. The discovery of good Veszelyite in Palabanda made big mineral news. The specie is quite rare worldwide and all previous locales have been non-productive for decades. This is relatively affordable, a sizable specimen with small but fine crystals and vivid color.
Strontianite - classic Austrian
stock #23.FC-062
Oberdorf an der Laming, Laming valley, Bruck an der Mur
Styria,
Austria
4 x 4 x 2.6 CM (miniature)
price: $1950
Exceptional Austrian Strontianite of top quality. From the famed Eric Asselborn and Valentine Sicher collections, this is in perfect condition with super well-defined freestanding crystals. From the renowned locality of Oberdorf in the state of Styria came the best ever Strontianites (like this one) which are considered the best of the specie. True collector treasures of this level are only available from older collections. In most cases larger specimens or larger crystals are far less sharp and perfect, for the size this is as fine as any. Displays super well from any angle.
Wulfenite - a modern American classic
stock #10.1-269
Rowley Mine, (Reliance Mine), Theba, Painted Rock District
Arizona,
United States
4.3 x 4.1 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $1850
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A killer miniature of bright orange freestanding Wulfenite crystals on matrix. From the last mining at the Rowley mine a few years ago this condition and quality were not common and are now very rare to find at reasonable prices if at all. In outstanding condition as seen, the luster, transparency and sharpness of the crystals is outstanding and this piece shows why this locale is considered one of the greatest wulfenite finds in the world.
Bournonite with Stannite, Quartz, Arsenopyrite etc
stock #6.2-274
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.7 x 4.4 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $690
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A complex multi-specie specimen from the famed Yaogangxian mine. Just to list the crystalized species on this specimen will take a very large label. On this piece we see Bournonite, Stannite, Sphalerite, Arsenopyrite, Quartz, Muscovite and Chalcopyrite. There are likely others as well. The main feature however are the Bournonite crystals with complex forms and dark metallic luster. A very compact example of the remarkable mineralization from this amazing locale.
Barite (Baryte) epitaxialy zoned
stock #8.1-245
Jinkouhe District, Leshan Prefecture
Sichuan Province,
China
8.2 x 5.5 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A cluster of perfectly formed Barites with some faces showing a milky frosting and others being glass-clear and fully transparent. The Barites are resting on sparkling Quartz crystals and are free of any damage. This is from a major find at Jinkouhe (Sichuan, China) a bit over 16 years ago. Very fine esthetics and a good addition to any Barite suite.
Calcite on Goethite stalactites
stock #25.1-315
Noxon Park Mine, Forest of Dean
Gloucestershire ,
England
9.8 x 6.8 x 5.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A strange British locality not well-known internationally is the old mines located in the Forest of Sean in Gloucestershire. This specimen was collected in 1977 by Les Hitchings and shows very well the 3-dimensional structure of these Goethite fingers that are covered with sparkling Calcite crystals. The Calcites range from colorless to red and nearly black due to the color of the matrix below. In fine condition and nice on all sides and angles. An attractive British material we do not see often in the market, this example is the most esthetic I have seen.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)