Grossular - gem crystals on matrix
stock #19.1-590
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
5.6 x 5.3 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1900
Spring 23
Excellent gem clear Garnet crystals on contrasting matrix from the famed Jeffrey Mine. One of the most desirable (and rare) sorts of Grossular are the isolated crystals on dark matrix. These crystals are unusually well-isolated, the two that do touch are just barely in contact. Usually the crystals are tightly clustered and incomplete. The crystals themselves have the well-defined striations and lustrous faces that have made these world class Garnets and highly prized. Ex Martell collection (old collection number is painted on the underside). It is very unusual too that some Jeffrey Garnets are known to be fluorescent, usually just a few percent of the pink or green colors react. This piece however is also Fluorescent, a pink-red color which is very rare in the orange colored Garnets from Jeffrey or from anyplace in the world. Choice.
Azurite crystals with deep blue color in a complex cluster. Several different terminations are noted here, many are flat or chisel tipped, some are more prismatic. The luster ranges from dull to moderately bright, with some faces very reflective. The back side is contacted but seems to have been recrystallized or healed. On the display side the main crystals are undamaged but a few have either contacts or adhering bits of other minerals that give some roughness. Azurites from Tsumeb took many forms and habits, this piece has several of them. The largest crystal is just under 3 CM.
Glassy transparent crystals of Calcite with well-defined phantoms of red Hematite. A classic from Tsumeb, this is an especially bright and colorful example. The outer edges show the breaks where this was removed from the host rock but the core of the specimen is in very good condition, only minor edge scuffs are seen on close exam. The included Hematite seems to be in two different generations, some darker clouds are a brown-red color while the sharply defined phantoms are more red and form thin lines. A choice example of this from this classic locality. Looks better in person.
Fluorite with Calcite - classic USA
stock #22.1-697
Minerva #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
7.8 x 5.8 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
Spring 23
An excellent grape purple cluster of well-formed translucent cubes with some minor zoning. The form is unusual and delicate with very sharp cubes perched on thin crusts of Calcite in a vug-like structure. From the famed Rosiclaire zone of the Minerva #1 Mine, this is from a unique find more than 35 years ago. Displays very well from several angles and in very good condition overall. A few very tiny cleaves are present so not technically perfect but most crystals are indeed fully perfect, The cleaves are not easy to spot by naked eye, this is as fine as anything we have ever seen from this unusual find.
Garnet (Pyrope-Almandine) on Muscovite
stock #21.FC-025
Betaimboraka Pegmatite, Miarinarivo
Itasy Region,
Madagascar
11 x 7.8 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Spring 23
A large and complex Muscovite crystal with stepped growth is the host for a single distorted Garnet crystal. The Garnet is in the Pyrope-Almandine series and probably contains both species but is mostly Almandine. The Garnet is very dark overall but strong light shows a few tiny areas of translucent red. An older Madagascar specimen, in very good condition and with an unusual morphology in both the Garnet and the matrix.
Elbaite (castellated termination)
stock #15.1-509
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
7.1 x 5.1 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
Rubellite variety Elbaite crystals in a complex cluster on contrasting matrix. The termination is a series of sharp spires and a deep recessed void that also contains spikes of Tourmaline. The Elbaite is translucent to transparent in fine condition. The matrix is also well-crystalized and overgrown with white Albite. From a find more than 10 years ago at Paprok this is quite different than the usual material seen from this famed mine. Esthetic and attractive on all sides.
Opal - vintage USA specimen
stock #0949-JM-3447
Waterville, Douglass County
Washington,
United States
7.3 x 6.3 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $160
Spring 23
A nearly pure mass of waxy green Opal ex AE Foote, a roughly 1890 vintage specimen. The locality listed at that time was Waterville, the capital of Douglass County in Washington. We can find no later examples of this Opal anyplace on line, though Mindat does list a deposit at a dam site and there is a lake named Opal Lake. Yet nothing looks even remotely like this specimen. So this seems to be another lost location, perhaps found in a single spot long ago. The Opal is lustrous, good dense jelly that is vividly fluorescent and has some color variation but no fire. Ex John H. Marshall collection with Foote Label attached.
Analcime on Natrolite etc.
stock #17.1-455
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire
Quebec,
Canada
5.8 x 4.7 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Fall 22
A classic from the famed Mont Saint-Hilaire which is perhaps the world's most important Alkaline Pegmatite. This locality has so many outstanding and unusual combinations of minerals. This specimen features a 3.4 CM diameter Analcime crystal that is sharp, glassy and complete. This rests on several other minerals perhaps the most prominent are Natrolites some of which have pseudomorphed after an earlier mineral. A nice example of Saint-Hilaire Alkalai minerals.
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