Fluorite on Dolomite
stock #6.2-644
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
6.8 x 5.9 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Winter 2016-17
Choice and very esthetic, old type of Fluorite in stepped, modified cubo-octahedral crystals perched on contrasting milky Dolomite. Dark purple phantoms are seen in the center of the main crystals where the glassy "windowpane" face looks into the clear interiors. From vintage 2002 finds at Shangbao, this habit has not been found for several years. In fine condition there is a small clean contact on the back corner of the smaller crystal but no damage.
Ferberite & Dolomite
stock #10.1-024
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.3 x 3.3 x 3.8 cm (cabinet)
price: $250
Winter 2016-17
Lustrous black Ferberite crystals with sharp terminations contrast with the snow white Dolomite crystals. A nicely composed cluster that looks great from many angles. All the main crystals are in fine condition, there is a contact on one lower side edge that is not seen on display.
Bismuthinite inside Fluorite on Arsenopyrite
stock #AX-15-243
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
4.2 x 3.2 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $285
Fall 2015
A attractive miniature with a prominent Fluorite cube that is densely filled with needles, hairs and curls of metallic Bismuthinite. Since the Fluorite rests on a well-crystallized cluster of Arsenopyrite, the overall contrast and esthetic structure is excellent. As with many fine Yaogangxian specimens, there are many associated species, this has Sphalerite, Stannite and Quartz. Better in person, this is an older specimen from the Shields Flynn collection.
Scheelite (milky white crystals) on Fluorite
stock #AX-29-038
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
4.4 x 3.2 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $675
May 2015
A sparkling bright purple matrix is the host for lustrous white Scheelites to 1.5 CM in size. An unusual combination (to me at least) from Yaoganxian, this is in fine condition. A few Dolomite crystals are sprinkled on the Scheelites and on the back of the matrix. Several options for display angle, the color is a little more vivid in person.
Fluorite - zoned
stock #14.1-283
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
9 x 8.1 x 5.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Post Tucson 2015
Outstanding deep grape purple color in large gem-clear phantom crystals. The contrasting greenish Muscovite matrix presents the Fluorites as very three dimensional. The crystals reach over 4.4 CM which is very large for this type, but they still have fine color. In exceptional, undamaged condition, this is a strong, eye-catching display piece. Nothing of this quality has come from Yaogangxian for a few years, these are now considered modern classics and make a fine esthetic addition to any good Fluorite or Chinese suite.
Fluorite & Quartz
stock #15.1-096
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.2 x 4.5 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Post Tucson 2015
Sharp and clear Fluorites with some unusual (for Yaogangxian) frosted faces sit nicely on unusual flatted Quartz crystals. Obtained in China in 2002 at the peak of Yaogangxian's productivity. In excellent condition, this has a different look than most YGX pieces and is quite esthetic.
Calcite included by Realgar
stock #8.1-123
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
3.1 x 2.9 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $140
pre Tucson 2015 update
We have seen very few of these esthetic Calcites from the Shimen mine, and none for several years. This was obtained in China in 2002, it is a single gemmy Calcite included by and associated with blood red Realgar. The crystal displays well and the staining of the orange-red color adds a very attractive touch.
Scheelite on Dolomite with minor Ferberite
stock #4.2-175
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5.3 x 4.1 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $325
pre Tucson 2015 update
A Yaoganxian Scheelite that is really attractive and has very sharp individual crystals to 1.3 CM. Great luster and translucent Scheelite contrasts well with the crystallized Dolomite matrix. A few crystals at the edges are incomplete they seem contacted, but the main specimen is in excellent condition. The entire specimen is formed over Ferberite crystals that are responsible for the bladed shape of the whole piece. The Ferberite is encased in Dolomite and only visible at the base where it was removed.
.jpg)
.jpg)