Quartz on Barite, Sugarbowl Pocket
stock #AX-19-020
Murray Mine
Nevada,
United States
5.2 x 4 x 1.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $275
A sparkling bright "sugar-frosted" Barite from the famed (but small) Sugarbowl pocket found about 15 years ago. A very nice example with several good angles of display - the backside is cleaved but the front is in good shape. Already a classic find, these have disappeared from the market and there were never many of them.
Epidote (gemmy, prismatic)
stock #A-17-233
Hachupa (Hashupi). Shigar Valley, Skardu District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
6.4 x .8 x .7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $160
A single sharp complete Epidote crystal that is nicely terminated, clear and glassy. Unlike many of the Pakistani Epidotes which are flattened in cross section, this is a pencil like prism that also shows color zoning from greenish brown to yellow. Very good condition and a nice, simple yet affordable gem crystal.
Barite (gem clear w. phantoms)
stock #AX-19-230
Sulcis
Sardinia,
Italy
5.5 x 3.5 x 2.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $245
An older, well-formed amber colored Barite from the Sulcis area of Caligari in Sardinia. Ex. Mineral Gallery (K. Ward) This shows several good phantoms with backlighting, and has a second generation overgrowth in some areas. Over all in fairly good condition there is contacting on one side and at the rear, small edge chipping is present but not easily seen from the logical display angle. A nice, good color piece from a classic local with the main crystal reaching 4.8 CM.
Cerussite (gemmy V twins)
stock #AX-12-072
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.2 x 4 x 2.1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $540
Spring 2014
Tsumeb Cerussite can be incredible, but its usually very damaged or crazy expensive. This is a far better than average piece (but not perfect with inspection) with glassy luster, elegant striations, and is formed by 2 "V" twins that abut each other. The main large crystals are in good undamaged condition, there is chipping on the bottom and end of the small crystals that is seen. The chipping is not glaring, only noted if you look carefully. The clarity is gem grade and very sharp, with a warm smokey color. Not perfect, but not 8,000.00$ either!
A textbook example of twinning is well displayed on this unusually attractive specimen. The matrix is also unusual and contrasts well with the Cinnabar. This comes from a small, little known mine in the Tongren area of Guizoh Province. Just 30 years ago such specimens were only known in the West from collections built well before 1909; they were legendary and unavailable. Even today with excellent sources this quality is far better than what is normally on the market. Far better in person.
Brazilianite (older USA specimen)
stock #AX-10-1059
GE Smith Mine (Chandler's Mills) Newport, Sullivan County
New Hampshire,
United States
5.8 x 3.9 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $80
Spring 2014
Brazilianite crystals of any size from outside Brazil are rare. This New Hampshire USA specimen has a main crystal prism 1.3 CM across and many smaller in a cluster that is about 3.2 CM across. For a non Brazilian piece this is darned good specimen of this unusual phosphate. Collected in the late 60's these are not seen very often anymore.
Tanzanite (very fine, zoned blue-green Zoisite)
stock #AX-14B-104
Merelani, Umba Valley, Lelatama Mountains, Arusha Region
Arusha Region,
Tanzania
5.3 x 1.5 x 1 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $2250
An very impressive, sizable and sharp crystal with great luster and strong color change wit the added feature of a well defined internal color zone stripe that is very rare. Displays great with good clarity, only one very tiny edge chip is noted that is almost invisible to the naked eye, and not visible from the best display side. The most impressive feature is the distinct color changes as this is rotated, The color is an intense blue, then a zoned green, rich purple and from along the c axis a strong red. With good backlight a small yellow zone is also seen. With the costs of even average gem Tanzanite being incredibly high, this is an exceptional piece at a great price.
Stibnite
stock #A7-531-(698)
Grosseto Province
Tuscany,
Italy
5 x 4.6 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $260
A nice Italian Stibnite from Grosseto, with a great gunmetal silver luster. Crystals up to 3 CM long are in sprays on a dark sulfide matrix. Our labels from previous collections do not list the mine but this is a very good match for the Pereta mine in Scansano. Mostly undamaged showing a variety of terminations, some minor damage is noted but not easily noticed. Ex Larry White collection 1960's vintage but likely collected long before then. This is much nicer in person
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