A delicate and fine Dolomite cast having two separate generations. The large scalenohedral shapes are hollow having just a thin skin of Dolomite that had covered what were likely Calcites, now long gone. The matrix is an earlier generation itself just a thin skin of tiny sparkling crystals. The Dolomite casts from Tsumeb were found in many exotic forms are are very collectable. This one is in perfect condition, esthetic and looks fine from all sides.
Spangolite with Connellite
stock #18.1-508
La Finosa Mine, Fontana Rossa, Ghisoni Corte, Haute Corse
Corsica,
France
6.2 x 4.8 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $240
A nicely crystallized specimen from this less well known old mine in Corsica. Specimens of this size are very rare and few have crystals that are visible by naked eye. The crystals here are densely packed, cover a sizable area and are brightly colored. The backside is also mineralized but less richly.
Descloizite
stock #18.1-310
Berg Aukus, Grootfontein District
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
8.3 x 6 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
A superb cabinet specimen of Descloizite crystals in two generations. The larger more recent Descloizite rests on a druze of earlier small orange and red crystals. The larger crystals are arranged in fans, stacks and bundles in extraordinary forms. No damage, sharp and very three dimensional. The worlds best Descloisites all came from Berg Aukus, and these were in many exotic habits and complex twins. The mine is gone and there will be no more, good specimens have become highly desirable and scarce. This specimen is certainly top quality for the specie and locale with very unusual structures. Far better in person, a killer display and the crystalography is amazing.
Pyrargyrite on Manganoan Calcite
stock #AX-10-796
Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
7 x 4.9 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Pyrargyrite crystals in small clusters and individuals are scattered on a pink Manganoan Calcite matrix. Individual crystals are up to 7MM. Some of the edge crystals have some chipping but the center portion is pristine. A few of the small clusters have the "raspberry" form and are hollow crystal aggregates best appreciated with magnification. A nice ruby Silver specimen that has a nice colored micro crystalline matrix as a contrast.
Vesuvianite
stock #18.AX-509
Sierra de la Cruz, Municipio de Sierra Mojada
Coahuila,
Mexico
7.3 x 6 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $80
Blocky habit Vesuvianite crystals that are doubly terminated are studding a contrasting Rhyolite matrix. From very old finds at the locality once called Lago de Jaco, now Sierra de la Cruz. The Vesuvianites are well exposed from the matrix and are nearly all bi color. This habit of Vesuvianite was collected before 1980, there have been no more in recent years.
Galena with Sphalerite , Calcite
stock #17.1-240
Pitcher Field, Tri State District, Ottawa County
Oklahoma,
United States
9.3 x 5.2 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Classic old Pitcher Field (Tri State District) Galena. An esthetic cluster of grey patina cubes with modified corners on a drusy Sphalerite covering the Chert matrix. In excellent condition, the Galena arrangement is very three dimensional and the cube at the top on the tower is 2 CM in diameter. The backside of the matrix is covered with larger Sphalerites some of which are red and lustrous. The Tri state area was an incredibly productive zone into the early 1960 period when it shut down. At the time these specimens were plentiful (although better pieces were always much less common). Today these are all long gone and good esthetic material is quite rare. Far better in person, this is not at all average.
Brazilianite
stock #AC-349
Linopolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
7.8 x 5.3 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A sculptural tower of Brazilianite crystals most of which are doubly terminated. An early 1970 vintage specimen with no matrix at all just several generations of Brazilianite in several habits nicely composed as a zigzag arrangement. In excellent condition, all the main crystals are undamaged, with 20X magnification, only a tiny chips are found in spots that are not seen on display, perfect by naked eye. The smaller crystals are transparent, gemmy and very lustrous, the larger ones have inclusions that are seen just inside the faces and give a more matte look but still have glassy faces outside. Not typical, the esthetics are fine and far better in person.
A very fine, large block of matrix well crystalized on the two largest sides with lustrous blue Lazulite crystals. One side has the association of many transparent golden Siderite crystals and clear Quartz, the other side has more Wardite crystals also very clear. with colorless to blue green hues. The rare phosphate deposits at Rapid creek are famed for the incredible Lazulite and this is a very fine showy example. The overall condition is excellent, strong magnification shows just a few chipped crystals in one area but by naked eye it is perfect. Especially under strong lighting the color is an intense electric blue, and the sparkling luster is brilliant. The Rapid creek Lazulltes are not the largest but they are the finest, sharpest, most colorful worldwide, and are especially gemmy. An excellent display cabinet specimen.