Copper - well-crystallized
stock #6.2-807
Tongshan Mine, Guichi Dist., Chizhou Pref.
Anhui Province,
China
6.8 x 4.8 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Well-defined, sharp Copper crystals from China are very rare on the market, nearly non-existent. I can not recall seeing better formed crystals than these, most are quite crude or flat habit. These crystals are very well formed, mostly dodecahedral with some modified cubes. The Copper matrix is a spongy mass with a reddish color composed of more tiny copper crystals and masses. A nice copper from anyplace but outstanding from China. We obtained this in China in 2008, sold it then and now have it back again.
Galena - skeletal, hoppered crystals
stock #20.1-288
San Carlos Mine, Municipio de Maunuel Benavidas
Chihuahua,
Mexico
10 x 7.1 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $950
Incredible,an older (1952) Mexican Galena with textbook perfect hoppered, skeletal form crystals. This specimen is from the San Carlos Mine, which in the late 1950 era produced some world class Vanadinite. After many years with no specimens, the mine again produced fine Vanadinites and Wulfenites in 1980 and 2018. We have never seen any other good specimens of Galena from this locale, and this is a choice piece from anyplace. The Galena has a dull luster from micro a micro druze of Anglesite and some Calcite. The forms range from deep hoppers with geometric ridges to intersecting boxes and even spirals. From the collection of Skylar Alverson obtained from G. Hixon in 1952. Outstanding condition and form, just a super Galena and a choice Mexican specimen.
North-Western Province,
Zambia
9.2 x 1.7 x 1 CM (cabinet)
price: $170
A single Quartz prism, doubly terminated and complete all around with a color range from light yellow to a darker orange yellow at the tips. From a find about 3 years ago in Zambia, the best locality informaqtion we have is North-Western Province. The habit and form is quite different from the other Zambian locale in Luapula. If this locality produces again we will likely get better details on the exact source, but until there is more info we can still appreciate the quality of these specimens. All of the faces have a light frosting but the interior is gem clear with no clouding. The crystals were sold as gem rough but a few choice pieces were saved uncut.
Boltwoodite
stock #20.1-285
Goanikontes Claim, Goanikontes, Arandis
Erongo Region,
Namibia
5.7 x 4.4 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $220
Several delicate sprays of Boltwoodite crystals up to 1.3 CM (quite large for the specie) from Namibia. The small Uranium prospect at Goanikantes (Erongo region) was once the source of the worlds best Boltwoodites. This is a good example with moderate yellow color and nice contrast to the dark matrix. We can deliver this at any of the shows we attend but shipping must be arranged in advance.
Bournonite with Quartz
stock #AX-15-164-(C147)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
6.5 x 4.7 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
A cluster of large Bournonite crystals that are complexly intergrown with only a single Quartz crystal as matrix. Ex Shields Flynn Collection, this has the fine "gun-metal" luster that is most desirable from Yaogangxian Bournonites. Some crystals exceed 3CM and show flat terminations and classic cogswheel form twinning. In very good condition despite some small bruises this is in far better condition than most. This specimen was displayed in the Tucson show special exhibit on Chinese minerals. This was an early (2000's vintage) obtained by Shields from Bert Ottens in the golden years of Chinese mineral finds.
Azurite, Malachite etc
stock #20.1-280
Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker Dist., Jerada Province
Meknes-Tafilalet Region,
6.2 x 4.4 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $430
Brilliant Azurite crystals up to 2.5 CM on a mixed matrix of Dolomite and Malachite. The Azurites are sharp, flat habit with steep tapering terminations some being very pure, gemmy transparent while others are partly altered to Malachite and are opaque. In fine undamaged condition, from the great finds at Touissit in the 1970's, this displays well and is nicer in person too.
A rarely seen native element, Mercury sometimes is found in oxidized parts of Cinnabar deposits. This is an incredibly rich piece with dozens of globules partly protruding from the matrix, The silvery globs are in some cases over 2-3 mm and very dense so easily seen on display, not like most pieces which are rather subtle. As is the case with all such specimens it has been sprayed with a non visible fixative to keep the droplets from shedding. There are a few tiny spots of silvery metallic Tiemannite which is a rare Mercury Selenide. The matrix is a shale with a few zones of bright red Cinnabar. Choice and not often available, this is a 1960's vintage specimen, the original label only gives the county as a locale but this looks like a perfect match for specimens from the Socrates Mine.
Copper -superb spinel twins
stock #14.1-407
Central Mine, Keweenaw Co.
Michigan,
United States
7.4 x 4.1 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1200
Simply fantastic, a very well crystallized Copper with sculptural form much like a tree or cactus. The most prominent twin crystal at the top is 3.1 CM tall and the whole is very esthetic. From the Central mine of Michigan, this classic site produced many excellent spinel twins in its working life. This is well above the quality of "typical" pieces which are now uncommon. A fine USA classic copper that would be desirable from anyplace, a super example of the fames Upper Peninsula copper country. The piece displays great from almost any angle.
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