Rhodochrosite with Fluorite, Quartz etc
stock #13.1-136
Mine X, Mt Bress, Alma, Park County
Colorado,
United States
11 x 7.1 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Spring 2020
A large plate of complex Fluorites crystals mixed with multiple minerals including Rhodochrosite Rhombs, Sphalerite, Quartz and misc Sulphides. The Fluorites are mostly a pale purple to almost colorless but a few smaller crystals have a distinct pink color caused by being formed on top of Rhodochrosite. Nearly all the crystals on this plate are lightly frosted and have a slightly "melted" look. This locality is located on the same mountain as the famed Sweet Home and Detroit City Mines. This locality is a small propect with minimal devolopment has been worked for specimens by a small crew for a few weeks each year. They choose to not name or provide exact location of the site to protect it. The Fluorites are clearly different in habit from most that come from the mountain and the overall esthetics of this piece are quite choice.
Witherite on Fluorite
stock #20.1-083
Minerva #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
2.8 x 2.6 x 1.8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $140
Spring 2020
A complete ivory colored Witherite crystal sitting on a blue crystalline Fluorite showing classic form. From the famed Minerva #1 Mine, this is a well formed thumbnail specimen in very good condition. The faces of the Witherite have the characteristic tiny stepped structures that are so definitive for this locality.
Epidote with Albite
stock #20.1-108
Amis Gorge, Brandburg Complex, Daures
Erongo Region,
Namibia
6.8 x 4.8 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Spring 2020
Sharp dark green free standing Epidote mixed with contrasting Feldspar (Albite) crystals. From a small find made almost 20 years ago, this is far above average and displays well from any angle. The condition of the crystals is very fine. Unlike any other Epidotes from Namibia and even quite unlike most any location anyplace else.
Vanadinite on Geothite stalactite
stock #18.1-185
Taouz, Er Rachidia Province,
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
6.9 x 2.8 x 1.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $490
Spring 2020
Amazing form and with very bright red color, Vanadinite crystals scattered on slender stalactites or rods of Geothite. A small find in late 2018 produced a few of these with better form and color than usually seen, these are not found very often unlike the well known (but very different) Vanadinites from Mibladen. In fine condition the individual crystals of Vanadinite are on all sides of these "fingers" and can be displayed from any angle. Sharp lustrous and vivid red in person, the contrast with the black Geothite is remarkable and the overall esthetic is impressive. This is a delicate specimen as can be seen, but it can be shipped with some special packaging.
Hydroxylpyromorphite on Cerussite
stock #20-FC-058-(9163)
MFouati Mine, Bouenza Department
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
5.9 x 3.1 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $2250
Spring 2020
A very fine and unusually esthetic specimen of this new and rare mineral. This is a newly recognized specie (2017) and is the Pyromorphite analogue of Hydroxylapatite (Pyromorphite is of course part of the Apatite family). The well formed Cerussite crystal is a super matrix for the white to greenish crusts of micro crystals and masses. This specimen from the Congo is by far the best looking example I have seen. It is uncommon for new or rare minerals to visible to the naked eye and less often colorful or attractive. It remains to be seen if more will be found at MFouati, it is the first find of the specie in Africa. This mineral was previously noted at three localities in Europe and two in the USA as an "unknown, undescribed" specie. In those localities this has been found only in submillimeter crystals and crusts. A superb example with a rich coverage, a superb addition for a Pyromorphite suite.
Andradite (var. polyadelphite)
stock #19.1-516
Franklin/ Sterling Hill
New Jersey,
United States
4.8 x 4.1 x 3.8 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 2020
Sharp Franklin New Jersey Garnets with the Orange-Brown color that was once called Polyadelphite. This is a Mg rich type of Andradite, but it is not recognized as a separate specie and the name is not used as much now. This is an old specimen, there are several collection numbers and one handwritten label attached. The main Garnet is 2.3 cm across, the form is quite good and relatively complete for one of these. Classic Franklin material this looks like others I have seen from the Buckwheat but there is no further information. A choice Franklin crystal.
Scheelite with Quartz and Magnetite
stock #16.1-117
Huanggang Mine, Chifeng Prefecture, Hexigten Banner, Ulanhead League
Inner Mongolia Region,
China
4.8 x 4.3 x 3.6 CM (miniature)
price: $720
Spring 2020
A fine looking, well formed Scheelite crystal in pyramidal form with a flowerlike Quartz cluster on one edge. Very esthetic, the Scheelite has a glassy, translucent, micro pitted and slightly etched surface that makes a nice contrast. In excellent condition, the matrix at the base of the piece is a mass of Magnetite crystals. The Scheelite and Quartz are in excellent undamaged condition. The Scheelite has a few green coatings and inclusions of Hedenbergite which gives it this color. Far better than the typical Scheelites from here and better in person.
Covellite - classic USA
stock #16.1-531
Summitville District, Rio Grande County
Colorado,
United States
5.8 x 4.2 x 2 CM (cabinet)
price: $275
Spring 2020
Bladed crystals of Covellite are clustered on edge in the classic form from Summitville, Colorado. On this piece the iridescent patina is similar to good specimens from Butte, but has the Colorado form. Crystals are distinct, well-separated and sharp, this is nearly pure Covellite just a few tiny bits of adhering matrix. Covellite is a somewhat common mineral but almost always massive. Crystallized Covellite is quite rare as there were only three locations that ever were good sources, at those sites it was still rare. Now all those mines are long gone.
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