HOLD Topaz - classic German gems
stock #HOLD 23.FC-045
Schneckenstein cliff, (Konigskrone Mine) Kielberg Mt.Klinginthal, Vogtla
Saxony,
Germany
8.8 x 6.5 x 4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1600
Early summer 2023
A superb specimen from this ancient locality, ex Paul Fitte collection. The Schnechenstein Topaz have been prized for centuries and mined starting in 1727, shortly after it was taken over by Augustus the Strong and the site was renamed Konigskrone (Kings Crown). The best Topaz were found in the next two decades and some minor production up until 1796. The finest yellow gem crystals have been prized in collections worldwide ever since. These have also been studied and described by many of the early mineralogists, they are quintessential classics. The area has been completely closed since 1938, any large and fine specimen like this is very old and very rare in such quality. The display face is covered with transparent sharp Topaz crystals most of which are a good yellow, a few are colorless, nestled in Quartz crystals. The largest Topaz is 2 CM, big for the locality. More unusual is the many terminated gem crystals on the matrix, most specimens only have two or so. Overall in fine condition this is the very best example we have had from this famed place.
Siderite with Pyrite -classic German locale
stock #13.1-114
Himmelsfurst Mine, Brand Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
7.7 x 5.2 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $90
Fall 22
A three dimensional specimen with several fingers and crevices coated with small Siderite crystals which are in turn coated with small Pyrite crystals. From the famed and ancient Freiburg mining district, a very good representative Gangue specimen.
Pyrargyrite with Acanthite - classic
stock #20-FC-030-(9124)
Freiberg District, Mittlesachsen
Saxony,
Germany
3 x 2.4 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $580
Early summer 2021
A lustrous but dark cluster of well-formed textbook crystals of Pyrargyrite associated with some Acanthite on a little Quartz matrix. Under strong lighting or with magnification the ruby-red reflections and highlights are seen and there are some translucent areas as well. This is a complex piece in that nearly every side has some attractive crystals and it is hard to pick a "best view". An older specimen from a very classic locality where silver was mined since the 1300's.
Cerussite - fine classic German
stock #0030-JM-180
Freiberg District, Mittlesachsen
Saxony,
Germany
8.3 x 7.8 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $900
Early summer 2021
A fine old Cerussite cluster with crystals to over 3 CM in a nearly pure cluster. A few thin shards of matrix host dozens of silky luster prisms in very good condition. Ex John Marshall collection with his label, he obtained this in Jan of 1972 from Ron Bentley after Bentley had purchased the stock of the famed Shortmann's minerals. The Schortmann Brothers handled many excellent European classics after the war from several important collections. This piece has a Moritz Lechner (Vienna, Austria) Number 7557 which puts this into the collection well before 1903. Lechner's collection was built mostly in the late 1800's and was one of the best at that time in the region. Lechner was wealthy enough to purchase several important earlier collections, some dating back to the early 1700's. This specimen is unusual and does not look like most other Freiburg Cerussites; it is especially well-crystalized and looks rather like more recent examples from Lower Saxony. We have no exact mine attribution but no matter the exact source this is an excellent vintage German Cerussite.
Silver - classic German locale
stock #20.FC-026-(9123)
Freiberg District, Mittlesachsen
Saxony,
Germany
4.6 x 3.3 x 1.6 CM (miniature)
price: $2300
Early summer 2021
A complex tangle of Silver wires and ropy masses rises from a pure Silver matrix composed of smaller wires. An old piece from the classic Freiberg district, this is an especially fine example of several wire forms and has a great overall esthetic. A vintage Deyrolles (Paris) label is included, however the specimen age is not known (Freiberg produced Silver since the 12th century, the last mine closed over a half century ago). In fine condition and with a mix of patina, most is a dark silver-black but there are zones of brighter golden luster which gives great contrast.
Galena - classic locale
stock #13.1-168
Freiberg
Saxony,
Germany
3.9 x 3.6 x 2.7 CM (miniature)
price: $550
new year 2021
A very fine miniature of a pair of intergrown modified octahedrons. This habit is classic and distinctive for this ancient German Silver mining locality. In excellent condition with a dark metallic patina, this is clearly a very old specimen though without documentation. Worldwide the vast majority of Galenas are crystallized as simple cubes or modified cubes. Octahedrons are far less common but were more frequently seen in central and eastern Europe, especially from a few of the ancient German mines. An excellent textbook clean example.
A German classic specimen covered on all faces with very tiny crystals and crusts of Erythrite. This is the type locality for the mineral though it is not very common there. The underlying matrix is a heavy Cobalt rich mass that probably is Skutterudite or similar since some tiny cubic shapes can be made out under the crusts. A rich "Cobalt bloom" specimen that has some nice sparkle under strong lighting.
Silver - classic locality
stock #20.1-095
Himmelsfurst Mine, Brand Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge
Saxony,
Germany
8.4 x 3.4 x .5 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
new year 2021
A long, slender tapering wire Silver from the classic Himmelsfurst Mine. The wire if straightened out would be roughly 18 CM long which is sizable for one of these. Very slender overall, at the very end it is just .2 MM thick while at the base it is about 3mm. there is a bifurcation in the lower section that is rather unusual. Nice patina throughout.
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