Perfect hexagonal crystals of violet Lepidolite in a cluster with small gem clear Tourmalines. The Tourmaline (Elbaite) is a pale pink to almost colorless and are in perfect condition as well. Even though Lepidolite is not uncommon, good crystals are surprisingly rare. These are sharp, thick and most have the flat termination faces hosting a circular zone of white microcrystalline Feldspar. Both unusual and esthetic, a choice and attractive specimen of Lepidolite crystals.
Mimetite - classic German locale
stock #23.1-665
Haus Badden Mine, Sehringen, Badenweiler, Friburg
Baden-Wurttemberg,
Germany
6 x 4.5 x 3.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $165
Tiny but perfect orange balls of Mimetite on a darker matrix from this ancient Lead mine. The Haus Badden mine is known for some fine rare lead secondaries as well as some more common yet esthetic species. This specimen is from an old find, there was a newer find of Mimetite by collectors in 2009 that were yellow color, these are a much deeper orange.
Plancheite with Heterogenite crystals
stock #8.AE-635
Mashaba West Mine, Kolwezi Mining District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.5 x 3.4 x 3.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $230
An open cavity filled with sharp needle-like blue Plancheite crystals and small black spherical Heterogenite which also is crystalized in some spots. An excellent example of the specie and with attractive powder blue color in fine condition. This specimen is illustrated in Mindat as well.
Beryl var. Emerald
stock #ARET 8.2-387
Coscuez Mine
Boyaca,
Colombia
6.2 x 4.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $3400
Pre Tucson
Classic Colombian Emerald crystal on matrix. Excellent transparency, the crystal is fairly thick, glassy with basal termination. The color is a very rich green but not quite the top intense color which is of course far more expensive. Sits well and stands out in any sort of display. It is very hard to find sizable crystals on matrix that have not been repaired, faked or otherwise unnatural. This one is fully natural and not enhanced. The crystal is 2.2 x 1.7 CM and is nicely balanced on the matrix. Good condition, there are micro edge chips seen with loupe but no really bad damage, the "bottom end" of the crystal is contacted and does not show a clear termination. This quality is now very hard to get in Colombia at any reasonable price if at all. If this was mined today this would be treated, infused, cut and sold in the gem market. It would also be a lot more expensive!
Barite - USA classic locale
stock #23.1-729
Hartsel, Hartsel Mining District, Park County
Colorado,
United States
5.1 x 3.9 x 1.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $240
Pre Tucson
From Hartsel which is almost exactly in the center of Colorado, this is a stacked cluster of flat habit crytsals. The color is blue grey with a lighter hue at the tips and edges. The crystals are epitaxially stacked and this is in very good condition. Colorado has several important Barite locations, the three best known are Stonham, Book Cliffs and Hartsel. All three have very different styles of Barite. Very distict form and habit on this older specimen, an excellent example of a nice Hartsel.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #20.1-759
Dolny Bori, Bory, Zaar nad Sazavou District
Vysocina Region,
Czech Republic
5.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $130
Pre Tucson
Apatite crystals in a Feldspar block from the Phosphate Pegmatite of Dolny Bory (Czech Republic). There are 4 Apatites on the specimen, 3 very tiny but the largest crystal is 7 MM across and 8mm tall. Much of that crystal is embedded in the Feldspar, yet complete and undamaged. The mint green color is unusually vibrant compared to other pieces I have seen. This is from an important Moravian Pegmatite region where all mining has been shut down since the 1970's and mostly reclaimed. We rarely see any specimens from here in the USA.
Bustamite - bladed and hairy type crystals
stock #8.AE-1051
Level 25, North Mine, Broken Hill, Yancowinna County
New South Wales,
Australia
5.4 x 4.8 x 2.9 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $950
Pre Tucson
A quite old, rare and choice specimen of so called "hairy" Bustamite and bladed habit Bustamite crystals together on a Sphalerite and Hedenbergite matrix. The hair type crystals are very slender, elongated, mostly colorless and transparent. The tapering form ends at a pointed termination, but by naked eye they do look like hairs. The bladed crystals range from colorless to pink and reddish. The bottom as seen is a 2 plus CM crystal of Sphalerite which is not often common as an association with Bustamite. In remarkable condition for such an old delicate piece, the only damage is very minor and not evident by naked eye. An attractive classic piece of unusual habit from a classic locality!
Andradite - Demantoid
stock #22.1-696
Black Lake, Thetford Mines, Les Appalaches, RCM
Quebec,
Canada
5.5 x 5.3 x 23.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $550
Pre Tucson
A fine mint green Garnet crystal with the unusual and quite rare flattened habit sits atop the matrix of druzy Andradites. The main crystal is just over 1.1 CM across and is complete, undamaged and in tabular form. From the finds at Black Lake (Quebec, Canada) about 20 years ago, this is far above the average quality known from this important locality. Black Lake Quarry was not very far from the larger and more famed Jeffrey Mine, but had a somewhat different mineralization. More Andradite than Grossular Garnets are known from here and the predominant color was green Demantoid. Good specimens of this quality are quite rare on the market, much less common than Jeffrey Garnet. In excellent condition.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)