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10 specimens listed
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Spinel on Marble- classic Mogog red
stock #24.1-181
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
Mandalay Division, Myanmar (Burma)
3.1 x 2.4 x 2.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $160


A single bright red crystal of Spinel sits on a small mass of pure white Marble. The form is a modified octahedron and is undamaged, complete and presents well. This is classic Mogok material, the crystal is vividly fluorescent and displays well from all sides. This is a small and affordable version of the top larger Spinels that are known from here which typically sell at incredibly high prices.

Spinel - large crystals on Diopside
stock #9.1-075
Near McDonald Island
Northwest Territories, Canada
11.1 x 8.3 x 7.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $590
Spring 23

A large cabinet sized specimen with several sizable dark blue Spinel crystals prominently sitting on the matrix. A very fine example from this remote and little known area. This specimen was collected by Brad Wilson (a very well-known prolific field collector) and was later in the collection of, (and sold by), the late Ernie Schlichter, another well-respected field collector and mineral dealer. The Spinel crystals reach 3.6 CM in size and are nestled in a crystallized matrix of Diopside crystals. A very impressive specimen from a find many years ago, Mindat notes this Diopside skarn stating "The actual locality is a small unnamed island near MacDonald Island on the south coast of Baffin Island approximately 200 km northwest of Lake Harbour". This specimen has the largest crystals I have seen (although we have not seen more than a few, these are not common). No longer available except when collections are liquidated. The display side is in excellent condition, the back of the largest crystal is contacted though not visible from the front. A choice Skarn specimen unlike Spinels from most any other localities.

Spinel
stock #21.1-061
Parker Mine, Laurentides
Quebec, Canada
3.3 x 2.8 x 1.7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $110
Spring 23

A sharp and lustrous Spinel octahedron is perched on a matrix shard. In excellent condition, the Spinel has distinct edge and corner modifications and is well exposed from the enclosing rock. This is from the Parker Mine in Québec which was a Mica mine and was at one time the source of fine Spinel crystals in Feldspar like this example.

Spinel on Calcite
stock #22.1-161
Mahenge
Morogoro, Tanzania
5 x 3.3 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $480
Fall 22

Fine rich red octahedrons of Spinel up to 2.4 CM across are well-exposed on contrasting white Calcite. The luster is quite bright and while the Spinel is not really transparent it is translucent and vividly fluorescent. These Tanzanian Spinels are in some cases an excellent alternative to more expensive examples from other locales. This piece shows very classic habit and the crystals have only a very slight hint of "melted" edges. Rounded or "melted" edges is typical of Spinel crystals as they get larger, this piece is notably sharper than typical.

Spinel (very large crystals) with Sapphire
stock #18.1-480
Luc Yen
Yen Bai Province, Vietnam
7.6 x 5.2 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $580
Post Tucson 2022

A cluster of three main Spinel crystals up to 5.4 CM across showing a dark red-brown color. The specimen has a few associated crystals of dark Corundum (sapphire) that add contrast and interest. The condition is fine as seen and the whole is an impressive piece from most any angle. Older material, this from some of the early production of specimens at Luc Yen. Most faces show both smooth, glassy luster and some typical melted look in spots. Choice.

Spinel - dark blue to purple crystals
stock #21.1-378
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
Mandalay Division, Myanmar (Burma)
4.8 x 4.3 x 3.3 CM (miniature)
price: $340
New Year 22

Glassy octahedral crystals of Spinel from the famed gem regions of Mogok in Myanmar. At first glance this looks almost black but under good light the color is a blue to purple-red color in zones and the crystals are transparent to translucent. In person the luster is brilliant and the condition is also very fine. These crystals have the typical rounded or melted look in some places but are very sharp on most edges. Much of the Spinel from Mogok is vividly fluorescent red, this is not, but under long wave is an unusual pale green. 60.45 grams overall there are a few areas of gem clarity but most is included. A nice and very unusual Mogok Spinel.

Spinel on Chondrodite - USA classic
stock #21.1-043
Amity, Orange County
New York, United States
4.6 x 3.8 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $340
new year 2021

The famed old Spinel locality of Amity was one of the first of the Eastern USA Classic locales. The exact original locality may be lost today but the Skarns in the area have yielded some nice Spinels from time to time. This is an older piece with fine octahedral Spinel crystals on a crystalline orange Chondrodite matrix. Ex Hladysz collection, this has sharp form, nice arrangement and excellent luster with no damage. Displays very well from several angles and better in person.

Spinel on Quartz and Calcite
stock #18.1-995
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
Mandalay Division, Myanmar (Burma)
2.8 x 2.3 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $350


Well exposed, complete octahedron of ruby Spinel perched on a sliver of matrix. A few tiny flecks pf Pyrite are present as well, but mostly this is about the deep red Spinel crystal. This has some of the typical pitting, rounded edges and adhering matrix but is otherwise a very pretty dark red gem crystal, There are a few small gemmy Spinel seen with magnification on the flat sides of the matrix, they are almost invisible by naked eye. Myanmar has a well deserved reputation for exceptional gem crystals, especially for Rubies. However for hundreds of years Spinel were often substituted for Ruby. The gem fields in Mogok produce far more Spinel than Ruby, and it has been increasing in acceptance as a legitimate and valued gem. This is a nice affordable crystal that is above average in quality.