Covellite with Pyrite
stock #0195-JM-1294
Leonard Mine, Butte, Silver Bow County
Montana,
United States
5.4 x 4.3 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Several free standing crystals of Covellite on different sides of the Pyrite matrix are showing dark blue patina. From the remarkable collection of John Marshall who worked at the mine from 1950 to 51. John worked as a miner despite his Harvard education he enjoyed the direct contact and collecting during his lunch breaks. His hand painted mark is on the specimen #1294. The crystals are quite lustrous and in rather good but not perfect condition as is typical for this delicate mineral, far better than average. The Pyrite is in both small octahedrons and other more complex pyritohedrons. The Covellites of Butte have always been prized and are hard to find with any quality and often incredibly costly when they are exceptional A good value.
A remarkable and very esthetic specimen from the amazing Karur finds in Tamil Nadu. A perfect rosette of transparent Amethysts sits on a contrasting matrix. The matrix also hosts a sharp scalenohedral crystal that was originally a Calcite but is now pseudomorphed to Quartz. The color and condition are both top notch, there is no damage and the color is very strong in person. The matrix is also quite impressive under magnification there are many small included greenish- yellow Quartz and white Calcites that contrast with the dark Clinoclore and Micas. Almost every year a few choice specimens trickle out of Karur, they can be incredible and are unlike any Amethyst from any other locality. Better in person too.
Adamite
stock #17.1-616
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
4.3 x 3.2 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $130
Bright lemon-green color Adamite crystals with grading to colorless near their base. These are sharp and lustrous with very good relief from the matrix. Ojuela has produced vast numbers of Adamites in many hues and habits, these are modern classics and quite affordable compared to the mineral from anyplace else. A sparkling miniature of well developed crystals and choice, less common color.
Smithsonite-
stock #17.1-600
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
5 x 3.2 x 1.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $330
Top color, a bright pink Smithsonite from an old find at Choix. This small prospect has been the source of some incredible Smithsonites with remarkable colors. This is a really intense "bubble gum" pink even more vivid in person. The delicate botryoidal form is quite three dimensional on this piece. No longer available the locality has become too dangerous for any mining, and in recent years very few good specimens were found as the locale is more or less played out. Great display impact for the size
Smithsonite -Purple
stock #17.1-598
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
4.3 x 3.4 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $260
A purple Smithsonite with distinct botryoidal structure and an elegant sculptural form. Purple is perhaps the rarest Smithsonite color and not known from many other localities. From the early finds by Benny Fenn this is a nice miniature that looks fine from either side. Sadly this locality is no longer working as it is quite dangerous at this time. In excellent condition as seen, a nice addition to any suite of Smithsonite or of Mexican minerals.
Aurichalcite
stock #19.AX-886
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
5.7 x 5 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
A dense carpet of bright blue-green needle crystals of Aurichalcite on Gossan Matrix. An older Mina Ojuela specimen, this is in impressive condition for such an obviously fragile mineral. This locality has been a source of world class Copper, Lead and Zinc minerals for centuries. Especially amazing under magnification, this small cabinet specimen has a rich three dimensional character and displays well.
Fluorite -Pink Octahedral with inclusions
stock #19.1-676
Huanggang Mine, Chifeng Prefecture, Hexigten Banner, Ulanhead League
Inner Mongolia Region,
China
1.8 x 1.2 x 1 CM (thumbnail)
price: $220
From the great new finds at Huangang, this is a perfect thumbnail of two light pink octahedral crystals. The crystals are nicely juxtaposed and the whole is a small but esthetic piece of high quality. These transparent octahedrons are included by fibers of an Asbestos like mineral, perhaps Byssolite. The condition of this is perfect on all sides, each corner and edge is undamaged. This was a very large and impressive find but this level of perfection was very rare, perhaps 1 in 100 pieces at best. This style of Fluorite is quite unique and absolutely unlike any pinks from any other locality. The faces are lightly frosted but the interiors are very clear and the included fibers are easily seen. The large number of specimens recovered has helped keep the prices very affordable this is certainly the right time to get a choice piece.
Pink Fluorite with inclusions
stock #19.1-678
Huanggang Mine, Chifeng Prefecture, Hexigten Banner, Ulanhead League
Inner Mongolia Region,
China
1.9 x 1.5 x 1.3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $200
From the great new finds at Huanggang, this is a perfect thumbnail cluster of light pink transparent Fluorites. These Octahedrons are included by fibers of an Asbestos like mineral, perhaps Byssolite. The condition of this is perfect on all sides, each corner and edge is undamaged. This was a very large and impressive find but this level of perfection was very rare, perhaps 1 in 100 pieces at best. This style of Fluorite is quite unique and absolutely unlike any pinks from any other locality. The faces are lightly frosted but the interiors are very clear and the included fibers are easily seen. The large number of specimens recovered has helped keep the prices very affordable this is certainly the right time to get a choice piece.