A sharp and well-zoned gem Tourmaline crystal shows up to 6 separate color areas. The crystal is perfectly terminated and 4.1 CM tall, perched on the side of a single Quartz prism. The top section of the Elbaite is nearly colorless but in some light sources has a very pale purple-blue hue. The bottom section of the crystal is contacted, incomplete and rough but with a partial, crude termination. Well-striated and lustrous in person. From finds about 9 years ago at Stak Nala (Pakistan); this pocket had some usually vivid color with much less dark zone. There is a crack in the back of the Quartz crystal that looks like it has been repaired, this does not affect the Elbaite but it does make the price much lower than otherwise. Since the crack is not seen on normal display at all this gives an excellent value for a nice, sizable gem crystal on a fine matrix.
Brochantite - a modern Mexican classic
stock #16.1-078
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio de Santa Cruz
Sonora,
Mexico
6.3 x 3.4 x 1.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Spring 23
Brilliant, lustrous Emerald-green mass of well-formed crystals on minimal matrix. From the world class find about 8 years ago at Milpillas, these were huge news in the mineral world at that time. They have since become very scarce on the market in such quality. The crystals reach over 1.2 CM long and are fairly stout so the specimen is not as fragile as many were. The style and esthetic feel of these Brochantites are unlike any others worldwide, this is a very choice example.
Berzelianite - rich, rare Selenide
stock #20.1-804
Bukov Mine, Rozna, Zdar nad Sazavou District
Vysocina Region,
Czech Republic
7.8 x 7 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Spring 23
A fine and rich specimen of the rare Copper Selenide Berzelianite. While far from pretty (for many people an ugly specie) this is very large and fine for the specie and shows well the Berzelianite and its alterations to other Copper Selenides. The brown sooty material and the dark metallic versions of the specie are both well-exposed. It seems some associated Tiemannite is present also. There are not very many Selenides in the mineral world, and the deposit at the long closed Bukov Mine (Czech Republic) was perhaps the best known classic source of Copper Selenides. The mineral has a long and rich history being named by James Dana (father of modern mineralogy) for Jakob Berzelius who was the creator of the periodic table, symbols of the Elements and chemical notation, and often called the father of analytic Chemistry. Described in 1850 shortly after the death of Berzelius, in honor of his discovery of the element Selenium and at least 5 other elements. This specimen was collected in 1970 when this could still be found at the site.
Sphalerite with Quartz
stock #8.1-439
Krushev Dol Mine, Madan, Rhodope Mts.
Smolyan Oblast,
Bulgaria
10.4 x 7.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
Spring 23
As a rule, black Sphalerite is not a very attractive mineral, but this one is something special! Lustrous and sharp glassy Sphalerites to almost 3 CM are decorated with treelike growths of slender Quartz crystals. In great condition and with killer esthetics, the Sphalerites are well-positioned and show complex growth hillocks on many faces. Careful examination finds only minor edge wear on some Sphalerites, nothing distracting from the impact of this piece. Great for this specie and exceptional for this famous mineral region!
Elbaite - Jonas Mine, classic locale
stock #22.1-170
Jonas Mine, Itatiaia District, Conselheiro, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
6.6 x 1.2 x 1.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1350
Spring 23
From the famed find at the Jonas Mine decades ago, this Tourmaline shows the classic cranberry red color with the slight hint of purple that makes these crystals so distinctive. In excellent condition the main crystal has several stepped terminations and a smaller parallel crystal has simple prismatic termination. No damage except on the base where it was attached, this is of course invisible when the crystal is standing. Looks fine on all sides and the color and luster are first rate.
Wulfenite - modern classic Mexican
stock #22.1-270
Ahumada Mine, Los Lamentos
Chihuahua,
Mexico
10 x 8.7 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Spring 23
Sharp, lustrous wet-looking Wulfenite crystals cover a large matrix face. Fine early specimen from the famed Los Lamentos finds, this one is late 1960s era. The crystals have the deep orange color that is indicative and most desirable from this locality. The shape of the crystals (cube like blocky habit) is also classic from this locality. This is in fine condition overall with dozens of crystals in perfect shape and only a few tiny spots of chipping that are not obvious in any normal display.
Fine large Chalcopyrite crystals are surprisingly rare worldwide. This is a superb piece and outstanding from this old Mexican locality. Zacatecas is a classic locale and it has been noted for some fine Chalcopyrites, probably the best ever found in Mexico and among the best from all of North America. These are superb crystals, sharp, sizable and with a great patina. Overall the esthetics and arrangement are superb on this piece. Ex John Marshall collection, this has small Quartz and some minor Galena as well. The largest twin is almost 4 CM across but 2 CM is more typical. This is certainly an important Mexican specimen, the crystals are equal to the very best we have seen in any museum. It dates back to the 1970 era.
Cerussite - large twin crystal
stock #6.2-921
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.4 x 6.7 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Spring 23
Cerussite crystal in a sixling form with 4 of the 6 arms being well-defined and terminated, and two truncated. The Cerussite is a milky white color with some smoky phantom areas. This is almost pure Cerussite (458 Grams) with just a little adhering matrix in a few areas. The specimen on close exam seems to be an intergrowth of two or more twins in parallel position. Some rough spots are noted that are very small and almost invisible on the front display side, some chipping is seen on the back. From the side the Cerussite arms show well-defined striations and several areas of transparency. This is not perfect as noted above, but very few are ever fully perfect. This is a famously delicate and fragile mineral but this one has a classic form, large size, and a very good value for a cabinet sized Cerussite.
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