Rhodochrosite with Elpidite etc.
stock #23.1-151
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Quebec,
Canada
3.7 x 2.6 x 3.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $690
A superb small miniature or "toenail" with a sharp triagonal Rhodochrosite perched on top. In excellent condition the Rhodo is the classic form from Mont St. Hilaire, and has the triagonal center hopper in the center of the largest crystal. Lots of additional micro crystals and species are on the specimen but the Rhodochrosite is really the dominant focal point, it is 2.2 CM across and has very good color. What looks like chipping or damage on a top edge is actually well crystalized with tiny step faces. The Rhodochrosites of Mt St Hilaire took several forms but the triagonal crystals are still the most distinctive and are incredibly rare at all other localities. This specimen was found more than 30 years ago, they were never common and there is nothing now. Classic and esthetic!
Pyrrhotite - rare penetration twin
stock #14.1-100
Dalnegorsk, Kavalerovo Mining District
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
4.1 x 2.9 x 2.8 CM x 2.9 (miniature)
price: $760
Pre Tucson
Textbook perfect, complete and sharp this is an unusual type of twin for Pyrrhotite. With small areas of Galena and Sphalerite, this is essentially all Pyrrhotite. In excellent condition as seen, no damage at all but the usual tension cracks are seen as is typical though there is no repair or instability. Great golden patina and displays well from most any angle, a choice Dalnegorsk piece and an excellent twin Pyrrohotite. Since Pyrrhotite is generally found in hexagonal crystals, the penetration twin has 4 terminations showing with six sides on each end, all at 90 degrees from each other. This is only the second such twin I have ever seen.
Fluorite - zoned, new find from southern Illinois
stock #23.1-263
Leadhill Mine area, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
5.6 x 4.5 x 3.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $600
Pre Tucson
From a series of small finds at the Lead Hill Mines in 2022, this is a glassy, sharp and vivid piece. The zoning is the classic phantoms of cubic internal boxes. Color varies from deep purple to a light violet to almost colorless. There is internal Chalcopyrite as well but very small. The base and backside have cleaves where this was in contact but most of the specimen is fine. A few from this find had zoned fluorescence, this one does and has some zones of the rare red color along with more typical blue and white zones. For several years we all have been missing new Fluorites from the great southern Illinois districts, the mines are closed and mostly exhausted. This recent trickle of nice pieces are very welcome in the mineral community. They are also a bit different from others in the region and make a nice addition for any good Fluorite suite.
A choice Aquamarine specimen in excellent undamaged condition having super glassy luster and some excellent zoning with gem clear sections. The main crystal is doubly terminated and a full 6.7 CM long. There are two other smaller gem crystals as well and the specimen is fringed with Muscovite. From the amazing pegmatites of the Shigar Valley (Pakistan) which is the source of most of the world's greatest Aquamarines. Before the discovery of this rugged area such specimens were incredibly rare and very costly. Due to the size and quality of the discoveries here, the prices of such choice pieces is now far more accessible for collectors. Of course, no source in the mineral world lasts forever and these will always be desirable. An excellent value.
Hemimorphite - Mexican classic
stock #17.1-589
Mina Ojuela, Level 6, Municipio de Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
6.4 x 4.9 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Pre Tucson
Sprays and individual crystals to 1.8 CM are freestanding on the Gossan matrix. In excellent condition, most of these translucent white crystals are arranged in radiating sprays with the flat edges always parallel to each other. The famed Mina Ojuela at one time produced a lot of Hemimorphite, much was well-crystalized. However, even in the golden years at the mine this would be a fine specimen, far above average esthetically. There are no new finds of this quality for the past few years, this specimen is almost 50 years old. Ex Les Hitchings Collection, his ledger notes he obtained it at Ojuela in 1964, this was the very early period of fine Mexican minerals being sought by US collectors. Far better in person.
A rich cabinet-sized specimen well covered with radiating bursts of acicular Pyromorphite crystals. The specimen has Pyros on both sides but the better view is the side illustrated here. Despite the delicate nature of the crystals and the fragile matrix this is in incredible condition and is a great example of this very distinctive type of Pyromorphite. From the important finds in the 1980 era, this has very good light-green color with very well-defined balls. This can be shipped ok with some care but we prefer to hand deliver to a mineral show. With delicate specimens there is always some risk and we will only ship if this is insured. If you need shipping please ask about the options to do this safely.
Heliodor - classic form gem Beryl crystal
stock #16.1-519
Padre Paraiso, Jequitinhonha Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.2 x 1 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $900
Pre Tucson
A very fine gem crystal thumbnail. This is a small version of the famed etched Beryls from the golden years of Brazilian pegmatite discoveries. In excellent condition, this has the typical flat termination and all faces have various sorts of geometric etching. The luster ranges from a matte satin to bright glassy in some areas. Nearly 100 percent of the crystal is gem transparent though there are inclusions to note. Ex Les Hitchings collection this was obtained in 1979 on his trip to Brazil. It is not common to find thumbnail sized crystals of this quality.
Wulfenite with Mimetite
stock #AX-21-044
Rowley Mine, (Reliance Mine), Theba, Painted Rock District
Arizona,
United States
2.8 x 1.8 x 1.7 CM (thumbnail)
price: $700
Pre Tucson
Wulfenite from the Rowley mine is instantly recognizable, very desirable and regarded as some of the most elegant in the world. This is a choice thumbnail with fine color, form and visual impact. From some angles the form looks like a butterfly with two main crystal wings on matrix. Some small bits of Mimetite contrast as well on the matrix. In exceptional condition, the crystals are the windowpane type and are impressive from all angles.
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