Chrysocolla after Azurite/Malachite
stock #15.1-492
Lupoto mine, Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
10.8 x 6.7 x 6.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
From a very important find made almost a decade ago, a fine pseudomorph or epimorph of blue-green Chrysocolla in the shape of free standing Azurites. The Azurites were long ago altered to Malachite and most of the Malachite has been dissolved away though a few remnants remain. Nearly all of these forms are now fully hollow, forming a cast after the former crystals. There have been other finds of Chrysocolla after Barite and other minerals from this area but the Azurite forms are perhaps the most impressive. In very fine condition, unlike most of the find, on this piece the crystals are intact, complete and up to 2.5 CM free standing.
SOLD Anglesite - gemmy crystal
stock #SOLD 24.1-187
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Oriental Region,
Morocco
3.1 x 2.6 x 2.1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $0
Bright yellow striated main crystal of Anglesite on a thin matrix of other Anglesites and Galena. A very nice thumbnail from the famed and now classic Touissit Mines of Morocco. The other Anglesites are incomplete and have noticeable edge damage, the main crystal is in better shape overall, the termination is very sharp, but is rough on the lower end. Not for perfectionists but still choice, affordable and a very nice gem grade crystal with fine color and luster.
A perfect radiating disk form of Lepidolite with many small terminations on the outer edge. The color grades from silver in the center to purple at the outer sides. The disk is nestled in a mass of small Quartz crystals and blades of Cleavelandite. An unusual and attractive habit for this Lithium rich Mica, this can certainly be trimmed if desired but this matrix is so nicely crystallized it seems a shame to do so.
Lustrous and gemmy red-brown crystals of Uvite cover a thin matrix. From the famed finds at Brumado, these were and are considered to be some of the best Uvites in the world. Found in the late 1980 era, this piece was from the late Dr. Luis Menezes, a prolific dealer and dedicated mineralogist. These were called simply Uvites when first found but later work showed that few were true pure Uvite, most are partly to fully Fluor-Uvite. No matter which name is used these are quite attractive and with magnification the smaller crystals are more evident and add a lot of flash. The largest crystals on the plate are about 1.2 CM across. A very good example from this modern classic locale.
Leonite - Vintage German
stock #20.1-740
Neuhof-Ellers, Neuhof, Fuida, Kassel Region
Hesse,
Germany
2.7 x 1.9 x 1.6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $160
A classic old style thumbnail that comes with vintage label and the glass tube type thumbnail container in common use over 100 years ago. Leonite is a fairly rare Hydrated Potassium Magnesium Sulfate first described in 1896. Crystals on this small piece are up to 1.3 CM and are a good example of the specie. These may be pseudomorphs after Picromerite since many specimens from German localities are. Nice vintage specimen of a specie not often seen on the market.
Quartz - Rutilated with Siderite
stock #23.1-094
Hashupa, Shigar Valley, Shigar District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
7 x 5.4 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1800
A very fine richly rutilated Quartz crystal 6 CM tall with bright copper-red color needles inside just below the surface in very clear outer zone so the rutile is sharp and distinct. Several rhombohedral Siderite crystals are on some faces and the condition of the whole piece is excellent, undamaged. Some sections show Sagenitic structure well and the Quartz is transparent despite the denser inclusions deeper inside. A few Rutile are noted on the surface but most are fully inside the Quartz. This is from a small fairly new find and is one of the best from the pocket. Although rutilated Quartz is known from many places in the world, this quality, density and distinct form of brilliant metallic needles is very rare.
A really choice and sharp Calaveras County Quartz with Epidote. One of the best phantom inclusions we have seen from anyplace in the USA, the main Quartz is very clear, unpolished and in very fine condition with no visible tip dings. The smaller Quartz are contacted and not complete but not damaged. The small light-green Epidote crystals are distinct, some are terminated and all have good striations. The phantom is a good green color and from some angles the refraction of the clear quartz makes it seem that there are many phantoms in a chevron stack. The Calaveras Canyon Quartz finds were some of the best phantom Quartz found in the USA and the addition of the Epidote adds a lot of nice character on this piece.
Amethyst - unusual forms
stock #12.1-106
Karur
Tamil Nadu,
India
7.8 x 5.7 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $190
A cluster of Amethyst crystals on matrix with a mix of habits and forms. In excellent condition and with good color, luster and sharp forms. There are several doubly-terminated crystals and reversed scepters as well as a few other habits. The Karur area has a reputation for odd Amethysts and this shows some of that. With magnification it is possible to see many inclusions especially needles and hairs of red and yellow color.
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