Bournonite on Quartz
stock #8.1-250
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.8 x 4 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
new june 17
A lustrous Bournonite is perched on one end of a doubly-terminated Quartz crystal from Yaogangxian. Remarkably, the entire specimen is fully crystallized and complete on all sides, it is a floater. A modern classic specimen- vintage 2004, the great era of Yaogangxian production. The Bournonite has well defined crystal faces on the front side, however the back side is less distinct, more complex, yet still perfect and undamaged.
Realgar on Calcite
stock #AX-19-309
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
9 x 7.9 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
new june 17
Brilliant red and gemmy crystals of Realgar are growing from a cluster of phantom Calcite crystals from Shimen. This mine produced many of the very best Realgar specimens ever found, they have the brightest luster and the color is excellent. This specimen has been kept in the dark for more than 10 years since found so it is has a fresh unfaded look. In fine condition, the Calcite makes an excellent contrast and a also has a few bit of Realgar inside. A classic Chinese combination that is now quite rare on the market in this quality.
The ball like stepped cubo-octahedral Fluorites from Shangbao have become highly desirable and often quite expensive. This is an excellent and unusal specimen with fine display surfaces on front and back, almost a perfect floater. The individual Fluorites reach 2.7 CM and are a little deeper green than seen in the photos. In the square central windows of the crystals the interiors can be clearly seen as mostly glass clear, gemmy. Distinctive specimen from the finds vintage 2005, ex Terry Szenics collection. Very three dimensional and far better in person, this came from a short period when these could be obtained, prior and later specimens are quite different and to my eye not nearly as unique.
Fluorite with epitaxial Calcite
stock #AX-15-270
Dongpo Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzohou prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
10.5 x 7.8 x 5 CM (cabinet)
price: $670
Spring 2017
Like snow on mountains, Fluorite crystals with sharp phantoms are selectively coated with Calcite rhombs. Ex. Shields Flynn collection, a choice display piece from the little known Dongpo Mine. In excellent condition overall, the only damage is unseen at the bottom outer edges where this was attached, the Fluorites and Calcite are pristine. Some cubes show complex corner modifications that are distinctive for this mine. Not the usual Chinese Fluorite!
A very unusual Yaogangxian specimen with the matrix a flattened Quartz shard that has recrystallized with one face coated with these clear Scheelites, the opposite side is dusted with clear tiny Fluorites. In fine condition, the Scheelites are bright and glassy, micro Pyrites are seen on some Scheelite crystals. Formerly in the Shields Flynn collection, this is quite choice (and certainly not typical) for this famed locale. Attractive.
Quartz - Herkimer-like habit
stock #10.1-487
Cong Ly
Hunan Province,
China
6.3 x 4.2 x 3.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Spring 2017
Very sharp and perfectly transparent, this sizable prism has a slightly smoked hue. We obtained a few of these in China almost 15 years ago, the exact location itself was not visited but the miners who sold these called it Cong Ly, they indicated it was not a true mine but a hillside. We have never seen any exactly like these since then. I would love to find this locality today! The bottom as seen has a break and contact where it was removed but the prism and termination are perfect undamaged by naked eye. Only with 20X magnification can I find a few micro bruises but no chips. A pretty Quartz that has both an alpine look and a Herkimer-like habit.
Fluorite on Quartz and Muscovite
stock #6.2-849
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
3.9 x 2.7 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $210
Spring 2017
A small bit of perfection, this is a transparent pale-blue cube with purple core phantom perched on a small matrix of Quartz. Classic Yaogangxian Fluorite from finds of 2003 vintage. The condition is flawless. The Fluorite is sharp and more transparent than the photos show. This could be trimmed to thumbnail size for competition but we like it as is. Choice.
An oddity from the great Yaogangxian Mine, sharp rosettes of Pyrrhotite (rare at this locale) that are coated by secondary Sulphides and associated with Chalcopyrite and Pyrite. The Pyrrhotite has been partly or entirely replaced by what is likely pyrite but could also be Chalcopyrite. Both species are on the specimen's matrix. Delicate and well-formed this was part of a small find we obtained at the mine in 2003. I have not seen these since then. Uncommon and a nice example for any good Yaogangxian suite.
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