Rhodochrosite - scalenohedral crystals
stock #8.AE-769
Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Province
Lima Department,
Peru
4.2 x 2.8 x 2.3 (miniature)
price: $180
Fall 22
Sharp, gemmy crystals of Rhodocrosite are perched on contrasting black matrix. From the famed mines at Uchucchacua (Peru) these have fine glassy luster and are in good condition too. The habit is scalenohedral which is classic at this locale. Not perfect but despite some tiny chipping seen with a loupe the quality is nice overall. Much more affordable than typical for this locale (or any other).
Peridot
stock #8.AE-843
Sapat Gall, Naran KaghanValley, Mansehra District
North West Frontier Province,
Pakistan
2.9 x 2.6 x 2.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $95
Fall 22
The Peridot crystals of Sappat are modern classics. This is a good thumbnail with a pair of chisel-tip crystals standing above the Peridot matrix. Some faces of these crystals are somewhat transparent while other faces are silky and less clear. Typical "melted" look on some edges and chipping noted on the base and backside, this is otherwise a clean and a very affordable gem crystal.
Fluorite
stock #16.1-735
Aouli. Midelt, Khenifra Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
Morocco
6.8 x 4.7 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Post Tucson 2022
Very sharp and perfectly defined Fluorite cubes perched on matrix. The Fluorites from this find have been called "pineapple" color and do look like that, having a slight zoning of bright yellow to a darker orange hue. This is from a small but very impressive pocket found in 2015. The largest crystal is 2.6 CM on the diagonal, all are translucent to somewhat transparent and have a slightly satin luster. Much better than typical from this find, an attractive and colorful Fluorite.
One of the mineral world's great classic pseudomorphs are the hexagonal Pyromorphite crystals from Kautenbach that are replaced by Galena. These are all very old, vintage specimen most having been collected more than 150 years ago. These are also usually quite expensive and not many are seen in thumbnail size. This is a much more affordable specimen than any we have ever seen offered. We must note this is small and not super perfect, there are some edge chips and rough spots but it does show the desirable form and habit of this venerable mine. A good opportunity to have a fair example of this classic for an unusually good price.
An old AE Foote specimen of a thick slab of dark pink to deep red Rhodonite from the famed Yekaterinburg locale. Dating back to the imperial era in Russia, this is polished on one side and has the rich dark color not seen in many modern pieces. The Tephroite is a yellow to brown zone that is also in swirls with Manganese oxides set in the red Rhodonite. The AE Foote Label attached is an unusual format (he had many different labels over his long career, that is likely an 1880 vintage. A nice example of a vintage red Rhodonite not often seen these days.
Liroconite - superb, classic British
stock #22.FC-003
Wheal Gorland, St Day, United Mines, Gwennap. Camborne, Redruth-St. Day
Cornwall,
England
6.2 x 4 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $3100
Post Tucson 2022
Often described as a holy grail specie, Cornish Liroconite is certainly the epitome of a rare, classic, beautiful and highly desired mineral. Bright, sharp and vivid blue crystals are nestled in five vugs of various sizes on tall sides of the matrix. The great finds of this mineral in England are very old, most going back to the late 18th century and ending in the mid 1800's. This piece is certainly very old, probably well over 150 years and comes from the type locality (Wheal Gorland). The crystals have superb color and are in excellent condition. Liroconite has been found at a few other localities worldwide, but never in fine display quality or large crystals. It is worth noting a small recent find of the mineral in China that had drawn a lot of interest, but none had large or well-developed crystals. These Cornish specimens are still the greatest and most coveted on the planet.
Anapaite - crystals in Fossil Clam Shell
stock #22.1-235
Kerch Penninsula, Crimea Penninsula
Crimea Oblast,
Ukraine
4.8 x 4 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $490
Post Tucson 2022
A fine miniature of bright green crystal clusters of Anapaite nestled in a fossil clam shell. A modern classic, these fossil shells from the Crimea in Ukraine are unique in the world and are considered the best examples of this specie. They have become scarce in recent times. The crystals are lustrous, translucent and in excellent condition, contrasting with the black inside of the vug. A very choice piece that displays well and has a custom made acrylic base that holds this at an esthetic angle. Far better than the average of the find and a very good value.
Azurite pseudomorph after Tetrahedrite - classic French
stock #22.1-193
La Guardette, (Giraud) Villard-Notre Dame, Grenoble, Isere
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes,
France
3.3 x 3.3 x 2.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $900
Post Tucson 2022
Great form and intense color on this toenail sized pseudo. The original crystals of Tetrahedrite are very distinct, sharp and well-defined. The replacement by royal blue Azurite seems to be fully complete. An ancient locality dating back to the 1700's, the finds at Le Gardette are unique in the mineral world and prized by advanced collectors for good reasons. They are rare, beautiful and unique classics.
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