Cassiterite on Quartz
stock #AX-12-417
Amo Mine, Ximeng
Yunnan Province,
China
3.8 x3.4 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $440
Late Summer 2018
Cassiterites in gemmy crystals with brilliant luster and sharp form. The Amo mine in Ximeng county (Yunnan, China) produced a few spectacular Cassiterites. They were immediately prized and have almost disappeared. Unlike from any other location, these had a unique, recognizable style that could be very esthetic. This fine example is sharp, well formed, nicely perched on a cluster of quartz crystals that have some green inclusions as a bonus. In great condition there is contacting only on the back side not in view. In some photos what may look like damage is internal reflections inside the Cassiterites. Much better in person.
Calcite (Pineapple) on Fluorite
stock #6.2-306
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
3.7 x 3.2 x 2.0 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Late Summer 2018
Almost 20 years ago the Shangbao mine in China encountered some pockets of "pineapple" look Calcites. The best of these were on contrasting Fluorite and had (to my eye anyway) great esthetic appeal. This is a small but perfect example of that find. The color, luster and habit are distinctive for these Calcites and unlike any others from anyplace. The Calcites are transparent and undamaged (a small contact is on the backside, but no damage). A fine small modern classic piece.
Ilvaite on Quartz
stock #AX-15-286
Huanggang Mine, Chifeng Prefecture, Hexigten Banner, Ulanhead League
Inner Mongolia Region,
China
7 x 4.9 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Late Summer 2018
The Inner Mongolian region finds in the past few years re-defined how we look at Ilvaite, these were huge news in the mineral world. This specimen is sharp and quite lustrous, the Ilvaite is undamaged and sits on greenish quartz needles (likely included by Hedenbergite). Very esthetic (for a black mineral, this is exceptional) the form is textbook and the contrast with the matrix is choice. These better pieces are world class for the specie and still very affordable, a good time to add a good example before these inevitably disappear. .
Free standing elongated crystals of Cinnabar in a well protected vug lined with small crystals of Quartz and Dolomite. Excellent bright red color and very translucent. The largest crystals have sharp terminations with distinct re-entrant notches, so they are in fact twins. Slender elongated crystals like these are much rarer than the blocky type and since the mines are closed for a few years, any good quality Cinnabar is now very scarce. In fine condition and with bright luster, Chinese Cinnabar crystals have always been respected and desired as the worlds best for the specie.
Fluorite on Quartz
stock #18.1-362
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.3 x 5.7 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Late Summer 2018
Lightly frosted octahedron in fine condition on contrasting etched white Quartz from a find in 2006. We obtained this piece at the mine when the miners had just started using the dangerous process of removing Quartz from Fluorite with Hydrofluoric acid. These were quite different from the typical Xinghualing specimens, and were being etched from Quartz/Fluorite blocks that normally were crushed as ore. We sold all of those pieces but recently were able to get this one back in a trade. I have not seen any of this material for several years and this is a choice example. The Fluorite measures 3 CM and has fine color and translucency.
Fluorite -color change
stock #17.1-193A
Xiayang, Yongchun County, Quanzhou Prefecture
Fujian Province,
China
6.3 x 3.1 x 2.2 (cabinet)
price: $480
Late Summer 2018
From this great new find, this is a superb small cabinet specimen of sharp, undamaged and very colorful Fluorite. The color shift on these Fluorites is striking, it goes from a royal blue to a deep purple depending on the light source. The crystals are wonderful modified cubes, transparent and have a fine contrast to the matrix. We examined hundreds of pieces from this find and selected just a few, there were many damaged pieces and this level of perfection was not common. The discovery of these in Fujian province was an exciting new find last year and has now already dried up.
An early find Chinese Rhodo with a deep rich red color set on a mix of Sulphides including Galena, Acanthite and Sphalerite. The early finds of Rhodochrosites from this region were associated with Silver minerals and sometimes native Silver as well. Later finds were much larger but did not have any Silver species. This has a good amount of Acanthite (Silver Sulphide) crystals and Silver rich Galena with melted look. The contrast is excellent and the Rhodochrosite crystals reach 2.9 CM. No more Rhodos are being found and this is a choice example of the earliest type from the upper zones.
Arsenopyrite etc.
stock #8.1-170
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
8.1 x 6 x 5.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
Worldwide mix summer
A very unusual style of Arsenopyrite from the famed Yaogangxian mine. A small amount of Muscovite matrix and associations of Fluorite (small clear purple crystals), Quartz and Calcite are typical in these multi specie specimens, but by far the majority is Arsenopyrite. Unlike the usual silver color, this has the bronze-golden hue that was only found in one zone about 15 years ago. Chipping and bruising on the outer edges is clearly seen but all the main crystals are intact and very sharp. As well as the unusual color, several crystals have unusual habits although most of the largest crystals are more usual forms most of which are in parallel position. Despite the edge damage this is a choice piece.
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