Orpiment on Calcite crystal
stock #18.1-743
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
3.1 x 2..1 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $350
From the Chinese finds made more than 15 years ago at Shimen. This is a fine thumbnail sized Gemmy Calcite crystal coated on several sides with slender crystals of Orpiment in orange and yellow colors. These were big news when first discovered and the supply dried up very quickly. There were very few good thumbnails since most of the Calcites were much larger. In fine condition the specimen is better in person and now a modern classic. We obtained this piece in China at that time and sold it shortly after. Glad to see it back and have one to offer today.
Rhodizite
stock #AX-12-424
Mahalza, Betafo District, Vakinankaratra
Antananarivo Province,
Madagascar
6 x 5.1 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
A well-exposed Rhodizite crystal stands on a complex Pegmatitic matrix. The Rhodizite has some gemmy areas and is fairly lustrous, this is a very large sized crystal at 2.8 CM in diameter. Close exam shows a crack and chipping mostly on the backside of the Rhodizite. Still for the size of this crystal it is in quite good condition which is uncommon. Ex. William Hladysz collection and Carter Rich, from the great find over 15 years ago, these were by far the worlds best crystals of this quite rare mineral.
Manganotantalite
stock #8.AE-965
Shengus (Shingus) Haramoush Mts. Skardu District
Baltistan, Northern Areas,
Pakistan
3.3 x 2.4 x 1.5 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $290
Blocky type crude crystals of Manganotantalite in a cluster that show the red-brown color very well. An older piece from Skardu that has several intergrown crystals these are in quite good condition and most of the faces have very clear striations. Typically this specie has rounded, crude form crystals, often indistinct especially as they get larger. However this is a good deal sharper than most and there is only one spot with a very small contact, otherwise complete on all sides, a floater specimen.
Autunite
stock #17.1-551
Daybreak Mine, Spokane County
Washington,
United States
5.5 x 4.2 x 2.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $475
A fully crystallized plate of Autunite from the old sixties vintage finds at the Daybreak Mine. Now considered American classics, this piece has been stabilized to keep it from crumbling as many did. As the Autunite looses water in dry air they tended to alter to Meta Autunite and fall apart. Vivid fluorescence as was typical for these, this specimen came from the Les Hitchings collection, obtained in 1970. Good color and form in excellent condition.
A super esthetic stack of perfect Adularia crystals in epitaxial arrangement hosting gem clear Titanites. Some selective coating of Chlorite on crystal faces of the Adulariaadds some contrast as well. This is a 360 degree piece it looks fine on all sides and has a strong esthetic arrangement. The main Titanite is 8mm perfect, gem clear flat prism with bright luster. A few tiny Quartz crystals are mixed into the matrix as well, overall a super fine arrangement of Alpine species.
Calcite- gemmy, twinned
stock #15.1-513
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County
Tennessee,
United States
5.4 x 5 x 2.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Ultra clear, a pair of transparent crystals of twinned Scalenohedral Calcite from the great Elmwood mine. The faces are glassy and the termination tips show a slight hint of a cognac color otherwise these are perfectly colorless. The twinning is both a rotational and interpenetrated type, which is very easy to see in person. Just a hint of matrix is present, mostly on the backside of one crystal. The condition is fine and the terminations are uncleaved, A contact on the back, lower edge is noted but no damage. Now that the Elmwood is closed probably forever, good, clean Calcites of the quality are becoming quite uncommon and prized.
Prehnite -well crystalized
stock #18.1-587
Merelani, Umba Valley, Lelatama Mountains, Arusha Region
Manyara Region,
Tanzania
5.7 x 3.9 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $300
Radiating cluster of fine terminated Prehnite crystals from the famed Merelani Hills best known for its Tanzanite. In fine condition by naked eye, some very minor bruising is seen with magnification, but overall the visual impression is pristine. This is also a color-changing Prehnite and can look green to a gray-blue depending on the light source. Some of the crystals also show slight rotation or twisting like some of the classic European Alpine specimens.
Fluorite - etched cube with
stock #18.1-540
Penas Blancas, San Pablo de Borbur
Boyaca,
Colombia
3.4 x 2.3 x 1.6 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $420
A perfectly etched cubic Fluorite with the unique emerald green corners of Penas Blancas. This rare zoning has now been attributed to the same Chromium that colored the world class Emeralds found just a few hundred meters lower on this mountain. This is transparent and mostly colorless like an ice cube with complex crystallized. etched surfaces on all sides. There is no damage or chipping A very fine example that is choice, complete and shows the selective color in the corners perfectly.
