Galena - exotic form
stock #23.1-496
Fletcher Mine, Big Bear orebody, Vibernum Trend, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
6.1 x 1.1 x .9 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
Pre Tucson
A crazy form and a superb Galena crystal puzzle. This is a complete crystal with no point of attachment, no contacts or damage at all. A true "floater" this has bright metallic luster, gun-metal blue color and some iridescence. From a small find some time ago at the Fletcher Mine, these are not like any other Galena we have seen from anyplace. The form seems to us to be a spinel-twin habit but there is disagreement on this, some say they are elongated untwinned cube stacks. Time will tell as this is sorted out. Most faces are curved or bent and the form is certainly exotic. A very impressive Galena no matter the technical details.
Leadhillite - USA classic
stock #23.FC-052
Beer Cellar Mine, Newton County, Granby
Missouri,
United States
3.6 x 3.1 x 2.5 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $2400
Early summer 2023
A very rare classic example of this uncommon mineral from the long gone Beer Cellar Mine. Nicely crystalized with several habits showing but mostly the flat hexagonal type protected in a vug along with tiny Hemimorphite blades. Leadhillite is only known from a small number of localities worldwide, one of the most legendary finds was this very small one in 1895. This was also the last time the mineral was found in this entire region. From an old French collection, this was probably one of the few specimens that were collected by AE Foote and sold in his French shop at that time. This specimen is certainly not pretty (except to lovers of rare Lead minerals) and is not the coveted blue green color. It is also not over 20,000 USD (as have been the last ones in this size to be auctioned). These crystals are a good pearly white, mostly about 3-4 MM but one is about 1 CM across. Two faces of this cherty Dolomite matrix host the Leadhillites with the largest zone being 2.8 CM across. While not conventionally pretty this is a real holy grail for Tri-state and Lead secondary collectors. Such classics are almost never available and always greatly prized.
Pyrite - elongated stalactitic ps. Marcasite
stock #AX-19-147
Buick Mine, Bixby, Vibernum Trend, Iron County
Missouri,
United States
7.8 x 1.3 x .8 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Early summer 2021
A mineral oddity and a choice example of this rare form. Pyrite has formed over a former Marcasite stalactite and is an elongated, slender cube. The central canal hole is visible at the base and the whole piece is complete and terminated. Previously labeled as from Joplin, Misouri, this is quite certainly from the well-known Buick Mine in Iron County some distance away. The cross section of the piece is square and the whole thing is based on an elongated cube form. In excellent condition there is a little overgrowth of later Marcasite on the outside. The luster and color are also good, a bright metallic golden with some silvery spots.
Galena - spinel twins, USA
stock #20.1-594
Fletcher Mine, Big Bear orebody, Vibernum Trend, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
6.1 x 4.4 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
new year 2021
A flat habit spinel twinned Galena perched on Dolomite, Chalcopyrite etc. From the Fletcher Mine (Missouri, USA) the Galena is perfect, undamaged and huge for the mine at over 4 CM across. it is very unusual to see from the USA, there have been a few US finds of these over the past decade but never many. The Fletcher Mine is perhaps the most important locality for these twins and this specimen is top notch for the locale based on crystal size and esthetics. In person there is a slight iridescent patina and a slight golden hue mixed with a gunmetal silver.
Calcite on Galena and Chalcopyrite
stock #AX-7-036-(266B)
Sweetwater Mine, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
5.1 x 4.8 x 3.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $200
A flawless, gem clear Calcite crystal sits well-exposed on a crystallized Galena and Chalcopyrite matrix. From the Sweetwater Mine (Missouri, USA) Ex. Larry White collection, the Calcite is clear enough that the matrix is seen through the crystal. Sweetwater Mine is famed for its Calcites which often have slightly curved faces. This specimen has some but most faces are perfectly flat and have glassy luster. Best appreciated in person, a fine miniature and great value.
Sphalerite on Dolomite -Classic USA
stock #19.1-809
Pelican Mine, Picher, Tri-State District, Ottawa County
Missouri,
United States
6.6 x 5.2 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Spring 2020
An old Tri-state USA Sphalerite with complex twinned crystals in an intricate cluster. No damage at all, the Sphalerites are complete on all sides (which is rare) and have many distinct penetration notches and ridges. Super presentation and esthetics ex. John Buckley collection, this is far from being a "black ugly" the form is incredible.
Siegenite on Galena
stock #7.AE-289
West Fork Mine, Reynolds County
Missouri,
United States
4.3 x 3.7 x 4.4 CM (miniature)
price: $390
Rich growth of Siegenite crystals on Galena which is in cubes, modified cubes and octahedrons. Quite esthetic for this rare mineral (Cobalt Nickel Sulfide). Ex collections of Steven Chamberlain obtained from the Lendall Hill collection. Fine contrast and with many excellent display angles.
Sphalerite - classic USA
stock #19.1-375
Joplin Field, Tri State District, Jasper County
Missouri,
United States
11.3 x 9 x 4.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1600
Large, esthetic and in perfect condition, this is an exemplary old Tri-state Sphalerite, mined before 1940. The Joplin field was at one time a seemingly endless source of mineral specimens, though really fine, undamaged pieces were very rare. The last of these mines have all been closed for more than 50 years, and the best specimens came out long before then. This is a superb Sphalerite with large distinct crystals that stand out from the matrix. Crystal faces show complex striations, etchings and some twinning, these have a choice silky luster that shows these structures well. This is incredible in person and very much a superb piece from this now legendary area.
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