A vuggy matrix hosts several Cerussite crystals, most of which are twinned, and a few other secondary lead species. A rich piece from the Brookdale Mine which in the Phoenixville, Pennsylvania area which also included the famed Wheatley Mine. Good specimens from the Brookdale Mine are much less common but they can be very nice as seen here. This specimen was personally collected by John Marshall in March 1972 when the mine was still accessible. His collection label and catalog card is included. A good Northeastern USA classic.
A huge, stout main crystal of Magnetite 7.8 CM tall dominates this very unusual early specimen. Other Magnetites up to 2.8 CM are on the matrix as well. We obtained this specimen in China in 2004, it was quickly sold back then but it is back now to be recycled to a good home. This is by far the largest Magnetite I know of from China, it was from a very small lot from the pegmatites of the Gaoligong Shan, and has a form and style unlike any of the later finds in Inner Mongolia and elsewhere. The crystals are all thick yet elongated and show stepped faces on all sides. Somewhat crude but still quite sharp, complete and showing textbook form. Aside from a single contact on the back area of the main crystal this is in perfect condition. These crystal faces all show a slightly golden lustrous alteration coating that adds a glistening to the overall appearance. Despite looking, I have never found any other Magnetites from this region for sale over the past 17 years. A nice Magnetite from anyplace but a really great piece for any serious China suite.
Olmiite (Poldervaartite)
stock #8.AE-945
N Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Manganese Filed
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.9 x 2.8x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $180
Late Summer 2021
A cute thumbnail of what was once a very rare mineral. This find was very important and large, the mineral was no long incredibly rare and it was also realized most of these were actually more accurately identified as another rare mineral, Olmiite. The South African discovery was and is the world's best and for all practical purposes the only locality for good specimens. This piece has a nice 1.8 CM crystal with the faces showing complex modification so it looks stepped and rounded. In fine condition, the color seems to vary depending on the light source from a brownish to orange hue. The matrix is a thin plate with a druse of clear Calcite crystals.
Hematite on Adularia and Quartz
stock #16.1-102
Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
7.1 x 4.2 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Late Summer 2021
Lustrous flat crystals of Hematite esthetically perched on a contrasting matrix. The Hematites have some bright mirror-like faces and some faces with a dusting of Chlorite. The Adularia is also well-crystalized in stacked arrangements with a few small Quartz crystals tucked in as well. In exceptional condition, the individual Hematite crystals reach over 2.8 CM and are in nicely aligned clusters and stacks. The Alpine minerals of Pakistan can be incredible as seen here, and rival some of the famous finds in the European Alps. More impressive in person, a classic Alpine cleft assemblage. This looks great from several angles.
Conichalcite with Calcite
stock #21.1-177
Mina Ojuela, Mapimi
Durango,
Mexico
7.4 x 5.6 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Late Summer 2021
A fine and unusually esthetic Conichalcite from the mid 1970 finds at the legendary Mina Ojuela. This piece looks great on three sides, the Conichalcite forms vivid small green spheres some with clear sharp Calcite crystals. On one face of the specimen the Conichalcite balls have formed selectively over Goethite rods or "fingers". On another side the Calcites have grown over the Conichalcites which allow the bright green color to shine through. Conichalcite is not rare from Ojuela but such large, showy and esthetic specimens are rare. Excellent example of this important specie and very fine for this classic mine as well.
A rather sharp, well-striated Garnet crystal with several edge and face modifications. The exterior is a mahogany brown but a gemmy green interior is seen in several geometric pits on the crystal where smaller Garnets were attached. This intermediate form of Garnet can be a mixture, or in this case, zoned with both species. The old name for this was Grandite and some have called these Mali Garnet. An affordable example of this interesting type of Garnet.
Orpiment and Barite
stock #8.AE-976
Elbrusskiy Arsenic Mine, Elbrus Mt
Kabardino-Balkaria,
Russia
9.4 x 6.8 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
Rich color and sparkling luster from red-orange Orpiment crystals that form a mound on this cabinet sized specimen. There are several white to clear Barite crystals scattered on the Orpiments adding a nice contrast. These are mostly rather small but reach up to 1 CM. With magnification the Orpiment crystals are very gemmy sharp prisms but by naked eye it is just a glittering carpet of tiny red crystals. The specimen is sawn on the bottom from when it was removed from the host rock but that is not visible. As a result it sits well for display on its own. The outer edges of the Orpiment are a yellow to orange color and several radiating fans or bursts of the crystals form the outer edges of the more red core of this piece. This find was quite important and was made in 2002, The intense color of these Orpiment was unusually vivid and it seems these are color stable as well so they are still vibrant. Not often available now, this discovery seems to have been unique in its character.
Magnesite with Uvite
stock #21.1-174
Brumado
Bahia,
Brazil
6 x 4.3 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1200
Late Summer 2021
A killer, well crystalized Magnesite with the addition of yellow to green Uvite crystals from the now classic finds at Brumado. These are considered by most collectors to be the very best Magnesites ever found worldwide, and this is a superb example. This is a very early specimen from the first imports of the late Luis Menezes, and with a rare perfection and quality. The Magnesite is super clear, very sharp and the largest crystal is 3.4 CM. We have not seen any good or new specimens for the past few years. The arrangement of the rhombs on this specimen is especially esthetic and the Uvites are also glassy, colorful and add a nice contrast.
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