Fluorite and Dolomite
stock #6.2-210
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
9.4 x 5.4 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $520
For almost 3 decades the Shangbao Mine has produced some fine and diverse Fluorites. Every few years a new style is found and older styles disappear. This is a vintage 2003 specimen with glass clear Fluorites and pinkish Dolomites in fine condition. The Fluorites are cubes with beveled edges and clear glassy central faces. Excellent esthetics, this displays well from many angles and shows both species in a nice balance. Shangbao is one of the greatest Fluorite localities in the world. Later finds were also incredible but of very different style and habit. A choice example of an earlier era, this is a nice addition to any Fluorite collection and especially to a Chinese suite.
Calcite (pineapple type)
stock #15.1-822
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
11 x 5.1 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $780
Post Tucson 2022
A thin shard on matrix hosts a doubly terminated Calcite crystal with the famed "pineapple " habit. From the Shangbao Mine (Hunan, China), these were found some 15 years ago and only rarely seen since. This crystal is large for the style at 5.2 CM tall and is translucent to transparent. No damage or chipping, a very choice piece ex.collection of Doug Ervin, a modern classic and very esthetic.
Calcite (pineapple type) on Fluorite
stock #7.AE-426
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
5 x 3.9 x 3.3 CM (miniature)
price: $240
Early summer 2021
The "pineapple" type Calcite from the Shangbao Mine were found in the 2004-7 era but not seen in more recent mining. These were mostly translucent to transparent and the color looks just like pineapple. This piece is a single doubly terminated crystal on etched Fluorite that is both light purple and blue. In good condition overall, there are some very small contact points and rough spots but no chipping or real damage. This is in remarkable shape for one of these as most have considerable damage. An attractive Shangbao specimen and a very good example of this very cool habit.
Fluorite - cubo-octahedral crystals on Dolomite
stock #5.1-104
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
5.4 x 4.8 x 2.9 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
An early Shangbao specimen with very unusual color. The Fluorite is an iridescent, yellow to orange, and has well-defined faces. The color seems to be due to an oxide coating that is only partly inside the Fluorite. The back of the specimen is cleaved and shows that the Fluorite is colorless inside. Most Shangbao Fluorites have been typical purple and green, so this is very unusual. The cleaved backside keeps the costs of this piece much lower but is not visible on the display side. We have never seen another with this habit/ color from Shangbao.
Quartz (green) on Dolomite crystals
stock #8.1-110
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
11.7 x 8.8 x 4.5 cm (cabinet)
price: $3600
new year 2021
A killer quartz "tree" or tangled shrub of slender Quartz crystals with a mint-green color perched on a matrix of large Dolomite crystals. Mined in 2006 at the famed Shangbao Mine, this is a really distinctive display piece. Many of the Quartz are doubly terminated and the condition overall is excellent. Shangbao is justly famous for some of the best Fluorites in the world. However, there were also a few finds over the years of highly esthetic and often odd Quartz. A unique piece that mixes fine quality, good size and display impact.
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.
The distinctive "pineapple" style Calcite from Shangbao came out sporadically in the 2000-2008 era, this is a very choice example of the habit. Set on a matrix of sparkling Quartz the addition of a few scattered purple Fluorites adds extra contrast. In fine condition as seen, the terminations of the Calcites are transparent and the body of the prism is more milky, all with the "pineapple color". Top Shangbao Fluorites are now regarded as some of the worlds best (and most expensive). 15 years ago at the mine the Calcites were more expensive from the miners than Fluorites because they were more rare and hard to extract intact. Times change.
Fluorite with Quartz and Dolomite
stock #17.1-689
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang
Hunan Province,
China
4.6 x 3.2 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $640
Pre Holiday 2017
A fine and esthetic cluster of zoned Fluorite cubes in a delicate array. Minimal matrix, the cubes are very well separated and freely formed. Some faces show a light frosting others are more transparent and inside the cubes are swirls of deep purple with many inclusions of micro quartz prisms. With good magnification small movable bubbles are noted and the interior landscape is impressive too. Overall in outstanding condition damage wise, the corners and edges show some stepped growth but no damage. Several angles for display work well and have a quite treelike form. From mining in 2006 this style of specimen is no longer produced.
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