Fluorite
stock #6.2-581
Xianghuapu Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
6 x 5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $225
Fast becoming a classic, these are glass-clear modified cubes ((cubo-octhedral faces) from the 2004-5 finds at Xianghuapu. By naked eye this is damage free, but with magnification some minor chips can be found, this display well with just a sliver of matrix. This find was prolific and so many good pieces were found that the price was far lower than any other locale. It is now recognized as one of the top discoveries ever made and there is much less of this type to be found on the market. This one has the old price on it, this will be worth far more as the supply dries up.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #6.2-790
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
10x 6.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
The last thing the world needs is more green Fluorite from China, unless it is REALLY different! This is a different and interesting example of modified cubes that more like the material from Naica and older Dalnegorsk than China, they have the sharp and clear window face and are sizable at 3.4 CM. Nice mint green color and luster with color contrast on the matrix. Over all quite esthetic, tho there is noticeable damage on the periphery it still displays well. A good addition for a Fluorite suite, or a China collection as this is not typical!
A wonderful esthetic for a dark mineral like Bournonite is to be displayed on on colorful matix, and this piece does that well. Several sharp, prismatic and lustrous silvery crystals of Bournonite are well placed on a sparkling purple fluorite and quartz mixture. A few matted hairs of Boulangerite are in evidence as well. There is one Bournonite that is broken off (not very distracting tho) all the rest are quite clean by eye and only show some edge chips at 10X magnification. A very good matrix Yaoganxian piece and a good value.
Bournonite
stock #6.2-893
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
3.5x3 CM (small miniature)
price: $160
Very bright, metalic and with fine luster, this bournonite miniature shows excellent form with a pleasing contast to the matrix. Much better than usual condition for this delicate, brittle mineral, however there is some chipping and contacting like all of these have. The main crystal shows a fantastic cogswheel form. Since well crystalized Bournonite is very uncommon, the better Chinese examples are already becoming classics. For now, this is a bargain!
Sphalerite on Quartz
stock #7.AE-492
Shuikoushan Lead Zinc Mine, Changning, Hengyang Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
13 x 10.6 (cabinet)
price: $500
Deep red complex crystals of Sphalerite sit on a plate of sparkling reddish Quartz. Some are claiming the Quartz is red due to inclusions of Sphalerite, I am not sure about that. There is Galena here too and the back of the piece is crystalized Calcite. The largest crystal is 3.3 cm and with good backlight it glows a rich red. No damage and great luster, this looks like globs of jelly on matrix. Way above average!!
Fluorite
stock #7.AE-457
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
13 x 11 CM (cabinet)
price: $375
The large octahedron here is over 7 CM, undamaged, lustrous and aesthetically perched with others on a contrasting matrix . The crystals all show the "micro stepping" being composed of hundreds of tiny fluorite crystals that are arranged together in the octahedra. A deep green that can backlight well, this piece is a very fine example of an older style of Fluorite from Xianghualing not often available anymore.
Bournonite with Fluorite
stock #7-AE-442
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
5 x 3.2 CM (miniature)
price: $650
An exceptionally large metallic crystal, sharp, lustrous and with fine termination. As a bonus it is sprinkled with lots of small light violet Fluorites for an extra sparkle. In very good condition overall though there are some small spots of damage that are very forgivable in a crystal of this size and can be minimized with careful display. This is FAR better than average and really shines!
Calcite
stock #6.2-057
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
9 x 5.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $375
A single sharp, gemmy Calcite crystal that has a light amber color and is in outstanding condition. Great form and luster, the clarity at the tip is very good. Shimen has produced some very fine Calcites, among the world's best they are still a bargain compared with most other locations.
