Vesuvianite -2 generations
stock #AX-24-172
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
3.1 x 2.6 x 1.5 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $550
A killer for the size, this is a perfect 360 degree undamaged specimen of bright and colorful Vesuvianite. The main crystal is an intergrown cluster of striated green prisms that are all sharing the same termination. This is perched on some smaller green crystals which are partly coated with smaller light purple-violet Vesuvianites. These are also very lustrous and have lots of sparkle. Vesuvianites from the Jeffrey Mine are by far the most colorful and attractive of the specie. They are also wonderfully diverse and this one is quite unusual as well as a fine display piece.
Apatite
stock #19.1-369
Dassu, Braldu Valley, Skardu District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
2.8 x 1.8 x 1.5 CM (thumbnail)
price: $750
Esthetic thumbnail pink Apatite in a sculptural arrangement. The previous owner called this "The policeman" since with imagination at several angles it looks like a human figure. No matter the anthropomorphic ideas, it is a fine complete cluster of well formed, undamaged Apatite crystals, vividly fluorescent. All are doubly terminated. The terminations all show a fine edge modification having a bevel across all faces. Absolutely one of a kind, I consider it a competition grade thumbnail.
Diopside -Classic gem crystal with Tremolite
stock #19.1-356
DeKalb, St Lawrence Co.
New York,
United States
3.6 x 1.5 x 1.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $575
A fine old DeKalb, New York Diopside crystal with exceptional transparency and color. This has a "crown" of altered Tremolite that adds a nice accent. These encrustations were usually removed by mechanical means but this is still intact and I think gives an nice touch to the crystal. Some typical contacting on the rear and one side, overall the condition is excellent with far better than usual luster.
From one of the oldest Mine sites in Europe (close to 900 years plus) this is an exceptional vintage specimen. Well-formed Cerussites with elongated pseudohexagonal habit are perched across a crystalized Galena face. The Cerussites are a sooty butterscotch yellow-orange color and are mostly in clusters yet are distinct and well-separated. Largest reach 2.5 CM Old labels include one from Muralt (Vienna). In remarkable condition for this very delicate specie, there are only some minor bruises on the outer edges. The Galena has a complexly crystalized surface and the Cerussite is quite strongly Fluorescent.
Duftite on Quartz
stock #17.1-795
Black Pine Mine, Flint Creek Valley, John Long Mts., Granite Co.
Montana,
United States
12.8 x 9.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
A large plate of Quartz crystals up to 2 CM in size are thickly coated with Duftite in olive-green spheres. An old specimen from the Black Pine Mine that is famed for the great Veszelyite finds there. I have not seen another specimen quite like this from any USA locality it looks like a dark botryoidal Tsumeb Duftite on a Montana Quartz. An unidentified coating of brighter yellow is also present and adds some contrast. it is a very significant and sizable Duftite specimen with a lot of character. In good condition overall there are a few tiny chips on some Quartz but most are perfect and undamaged. The Black Pine mine has a complex and wonderful mineral assemblage including many uncommon associates. This piece is significant for the locale is the best USA Duftite I know of. Ex Chris Amo collection.
Calcite with Realgar inclusions
stock #6.2-066
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
11x7x4CM (cabinet)
price: $2250
Simply incredible! A brilliant red cluster of calcite on matrix with small realgar crystals. Killer esthetics. We obtained this at the mine in 2003 and sold it shortly after- it was the best of the find. Since then we have not seen anything like this. We are pleased to have it back again for resale, The largest calcite crystal is 7.2 CM, and the piece displays well from multiple angles, but it does have a cleave on the backside. The red color on the calcite is from both a coating and inclusions that is primarily realgar, some recent analysis of similar materials have fund trace amounts of some rare rsenic minerals, this one has not been tested for those. Really striking color, the display side has no noticable damage. This will really jump out of any calcite display!
Pyromorphite -unusual color for locale
stock #AX-19-049
Daoping Mine, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture
Guangxi Province,
China
6.1 x 4.5 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $1400
Delicate sprays of glassy, transparent and sharp Pyromorphite crystals covering all sides of this specimen from Daoping. Minimal matrix, this Pyro has unusual pale colors mixed with a few of the more typical bright green hues. In impressive condition overall, this is incredible for such a delicate specimen. The pointed light yellow to brown crystasls are arranged in radiating clusters and bunches. The Daoping mine at Yangshao has become world famed for top Pyromorphites. This is a fine quality specimen and it is much more rare to see this color and habit so well presented.
Pyromorphite
stock #0201-JM-3928
Little Giant Mine, Mullan, Coeur d' Arlene District, Shoshone County
Idaho,
United States
9 x 7.1 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $770
A very fine specimen from another uncommon but significant US locality. From the Little Giant mine, at Mullen, Idaho a sizable and rich specimen densely covered on the front surface with pale green crystals. From John Marshals superb collection of world wide Pyromorphite his collection card reads "typical habit on Little Giant piece, about the best I have ever seen." The little Giant mine was an important locale for Pyro long before the Kellogg/ Bunker Hill Mine find put Idaho in the spotlight. The mine closed over 100 years ago and fine specimens are quite scarce. This one is just exceptional, in remarkable condition the crystals are the delicate "porcelain" luster and up to 7mm long. Very different look from the more available Bunker Hill material. Great addition for any serious Pyromorphite suite.
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