Calcite
stock #15.1-575
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
7.7 x 5.3 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
These Calcites were called pineapple style when they were found at the famed Shangbao Mine (Hunan, China) in the 2001-2005 era. Calcite crystals with a remarkable pineapple color and a slightly visible inner phantom. The Calcites are on a minimal matrix which is a mix of both Fluorite and Quartz with a few tiny Pyrites. In very nice condition overall, some minor edge scuffs are noted but still displays very well. This also keeps the price relatively low for one of these. The pineapples are quite distinctive for this locale, it is unlike any Calcite from other localities and the contrast with the few small purple Fluorites is a nice bonus.
Nice gemmy Anglesite crystals from the famed Tintic district with lots of historic pedigree and provenance. From the original labels (included) this went from J. A. Scott in 1911 to the A.F. Holden collection, from there to Harvard, from Harvard through Argentum to the Phil Scalisi collection. Phil sold this to the John Marshall Jr collection in 1995. The Anglesite are small but bright, transparent in fine condition overall, protected in the Galena vug. The recent (March 2024) issue of the Mineralogical record has an incredible article on this locale. These crystals are super fine for the locale, sharp, lustrous, reach 8MM (which is huge for Tintic) and the largest crystals are textbook perfect.
Legrandite
stock #AX-4-287
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
3.6 x 2.3 x 2.1 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $860
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
Sharp, gemmy and in fine condition, a vug in gossan matrix protects sprays of bright yellow Legrandites. This is a famously delicate and rare mineral, the best crystals in the world are from Mexico, many years ago at the original Flor de Peña Mine and from Ojuela very sporadically. Several years have passed without any new finds of quality. This piece dates to the mid 1970 era. Small but choice and remarkably perfect this can be trimmed to a killer thumbnail if wanted.
Pyromorphite - unusual acicular habit
stock #6.2-561
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
6 x 3.4 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A very delicate but elegant cluster of sharp slender Pyromorphite crystals from the amazing Daoping mine (Guanxi, China). This locality is famous for its lead minerals and the Pyro from here is distinctive. This piece is quite special as it is one of the very few examples of the jackstraw habit of needle-like crystals that were found in 2004. We obtained this specimen at the mine in that year where there were only a few like it with the miners. We never saw others there in later years and only a few ever in dealer inventory. This was sold shortly after but is back with us in a collection purchase. The condition is excellent, the color is a delicate pastel green and this is a very distinctive piece that can be displayed in several orientations. An fine Pyro from anyplace and a very remarkable piece for China.
Lazulite
stock #AX-27-011
Rapid Creek, Dawson Mining District
Yukon Territory,
Canada
7.5 x 4.9 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A choice and very lustrous deep royal blue cluster of Lazulite crystals on matrix from the incredible find at Rapid Creek (Yukon, Canada) about 15 years ago. In fine condition as seen, this specimen is all Lazulite on the display face, some specimens were mixed with other Phosphate minerals but this one is pure blue. The crystals are 5-8mm or so in size, a bit larger than most, and these are free standing with very clearly defined form. One of the great collectable species of western Canada, and perhaps the world’s best examples of this specie come from this find. A very eye-catching piece this is much nicer in person too.
Amethyst - radiating fan of scepters
stock #20.1-320
Karur
Tamil Nadu,
India
3.5 x 2.1 x .6 CM (miniature)
price: $260
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A small but exceptionally fine fan of sceptered Amethyst. No damage and with excellent color in the terminations, this is a choice small miniature from the remarkable finds at Karur in southern India. An excellent article in Lapis magazine describes these very special scepters in detail, the locality is unique in the world and this sort of habit is quite specific to this discovery.
SOLD Chalcedony on orange Scolecite
stock #SOLD 18.1-001
Malegaon, Nasik
Maharashtra,
India
5.1 x 3.3 x 2.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $0
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
A very strange and fascinating specimen of what has been called Caviar Agate, forming translucent balls perched on needles growing from orange Scolecite. We have only ever seen examples of this from two small finds, very few specimens have made it to the market. This one has several options for viewing and display, the balls have a light gray to blueish hue and almost seem violet in some light. These are all perched of slender, transparent needles of Scolecite that extend from a radiating cluster that forms the base. A very nice piece for a Zeolite collection, or anyone who like really odd minerals!
Apatite on Fluoro Richterite
stock #24.1-635
Otter Lake, Pontiac County
Quebec,
Canada
7.1 x 4.7 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $200
Spring to Summer; New and Vintage
Great specimen of a well-formed "Grenville Grunge" specie. So called by the dedicated collectors of the dark minerals found in the skarns of the Grenville Marbles (Precambrian Metamorphics). A cluster of complete, terminated Fluororichterite crystals is the matrix for yellow to orange color Apatite. The color of the Apatite is a bit unusual as most are more green to brown. The largest Fluororichterite is doubly terminated and 5.1 CM long. Many of the dark Amphiboles in this region are hard to identify accurately. This find was x ray checked by Dr. Joe Mandarino in the 1990 era when this zone was uncovered by Skylar Alverson. This was one of Skylar’s collection specimens. A very nice esthetic composition even if many think of dark Amphiboles as "grunge"!
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