Nekoite with Johannsenite and Manganaxinite
stock #21.1-040
Iron Cap Mine, Santa Teresa Mts, Graham County
Arizona,
United States
7.3 x 6.1 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
new year 2021
Nekoite is a rather rare mineral in good crystals and the best known come from the Iron Cap Mine. Not often seen in collections or in sizable specimens, this very rich piece of both Johannsenite and Nekoite. Both are well-crystallized and plentiful on many surfaces of this complex specimen. As a bonus there are several gemmy crystals of Manganaxinite hiding in the mix. Nekoit has a resemblance to Okenite which at one time it was mistaken for. The name was created by writing Oken backwards and adding the ite. Best appreciated with good magnification, the crystals of each specie are well-defined and show several habits.
Excellent blue-green color Smithsonite with a wet look, shimmering luster. The botryoidal surface is host to several "eyes" which are holes with a white rim which adds an nice contrast. The remarkable deposit at Choix is not producing at this time, but when it was active the Smithsonites were plentiful on the market. Many colors and forms were found making this a world class locale, often compared with the Kelly Mine in the USA. This piece has the eyes that were famed at the Kelly Mine and the color is comparable too, but as a Mexican specimen this is less costly and a great value for a pretty blue-green cabinet sized Smithsonite..
Selenite
stock #20.1-265-(LH1132)
Red river floodway, Winnipeg
Manitoba,
Canada
6.1 x 3.7 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $90
new year 2021
An unusual habit from this famed Canadian locale, a spherical rosette of small bladed crystals hosts a cluster of larger twinned Selenites. I have been informed that at one time some pieces were heated or baked to make this selective white areas on the golden selenite, so this is not fully natural but human modified. Not sure why this was done as the golden color is quite nice on its own but theoverall effect is esthetic in a different way. Overall this looks fine from any angle. The crystals are a golden to orange-yellow color except at the terminations which are a milky white. In fine condition, we have handled a lot of Selenite from this locale but this piece is quite different in style. As is usual for Selenite from the Red River this is strongly fluorescent.
Zircon with Aegirine, Albite etc.
stock #20.1-832
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Quebec,
Canada
5.7 x 4.4 x 4 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
new year 2021
Several sharp Zircons are well-exposed from the classic MSH matrix. The largest Zircon here is 1.4 CM across which is huge for the locality and these crystals are very well-defined. Most of the larger Zircon we have seen from Mont St. Hilaire tend to be much more crude than this. Vividly Fluorescent and in fine undamaged condition.
Diopside
stock #15.1-674
Orford Nickel Mine, St-Denis-de-Brompton, Estrie
Quebec,
Canada
4.3 x 1.3 x .9 CM (miniature)
price: $190
new year 2021
A terminated glassy crystal of Diopside with nice green color on the top. Transparent to translucent, this was in the Warren Johannson collection, a very nice example of a "Nickel" Diopside. There were some large and well-known pale brown crystals found at one time in this locality but very few such complete green crystals. A Canadian classic.
SOLD Fluorite
stock #SOLD 15.1-032
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
4.7 x 3.9 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $0
new year 2021
A dark purple to purple blue Fluorite from the Elmwood Mine that has some zoning and is fairly transparent. A nice colorful Fluorite that glows well when backlit. So much USA Fluorite has become very expensive, this is an affordable specimen in very good condition from this classic USA locale.
Pyrargyrite (Ruby Silver crystals)
stock #AX-29-047
San Juan de Rayas Mine, Municipio de Guanajuato
Guanajuato,
Mexico
2.8 x 2.7 x 2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $380
new year 2021
Super lustrous, metallic crystals of Pyrargyrite in a cluster with no matrix. Many of the larger crystals are distinctly twinned. These look silvery-black without very strong lighting but a few edges show the bright red flash and glint of the "ruby" color. The crystals are opaque for the most part but a few edges show some translucence. A mid 1980 vintage Silver secondary specie from the famed and prolific San Juan de Reyes Mine (Guanajuato, Mexico). A hefty thumbnail in good condition, there is some roughness and the backside is the point of removal but this is still in better shape than usual for this delicate mineral. The Ruby Silvers of Mexico are now considered classics and are quite different than the old European specimens. Choice.
Chrysocolla - drusy
stock #21.1-010
Inca De Oro, Chanaral
Atacama Region,
Chile
6.3 x 3.6 x 1.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $250
new year 2021
Bright blue and with a sparkling druse of Quartz over the display face. Sawn on back it seems this was being fashioned into a jewelry item but was left unfinished. Displays well and the color is an excellent blue, with some green hues seen under strong lighting. The Chrysocolla finds from Chile was a major source of fine specimens for many years. These are no longer available and they have begun to increase in price quickly for choice pieces.
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