|
|
|
|
|
|
S12143 - Dolomite (Var. Cobaltoan Dolomite) - $685
Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Overall Size: 4.8 x 3.2 cm
|
|
|
|
When selecting one of these cobalt-rich dolomites, it is best to stick with the brightest pink saturation available
since the degree with which they occur can be substantial. This specimen represents the absolute pinnacle in
color, but that's not all, check out the gemmy crystals up to 1.4 cm wide, also the finest from here. Stunning
miniature, 4.8 x 3.2 cm.
|
|
S12144 - Skutterudite - $7000
Tamdrost Mine, Bou Azzer District, Morocco
Overall Size: 9.5 x 6.3 cm
|
|
|
|
|
With the exception of a few, this mineral rarely becomes available in fine large display specimens. The perception
that skutterudite continues to be fairly abundant on a regular basis is only partially true, in large part due to finds made
during the period 2001-2005, so don't let that notion impair your ability to judge what is UNCOMMON, such as this
large 5 x 5 cm damage free skutterudite on matrix. I was at the Sainte-Marie show every time this material surfaced.
When larger crystals do appear they tend to be nearly flat and almost always sheared on the backside. NOT the case
here, VERY 3 dimensional and highly exposed from all three sides, so much so that this piece is considered
world-class by several well-known collectors who don't use the term loosely. The second Golden Age of mineral
collecting continues to amaze and I think superb contemporary material like this make that point!
|
|
S12152 - Malachite after Azurite - $900
Touissit Mine, Oujda Angad Province, Morocco
Overall Size: 3.8 x 3.3 cm
|
|
|
Pristine malachite after azurite! Rarely do pseudomorphs of the two minerals develop into such high quality examples
as shown, for these extremely sharp and blocky prisms with waxy luster are on a level we almost never see from
Touissit. Mostly natural contact on right edge. Screaming good deal since it was traded out and the markup is less
than 1% over dealer cost. Exquisite!
|
|
S12153 - Hematite - $600
Beckermet Mine, Egremont, Cumbria, England
Overall Size: 8.5 x 7.6 cm
|
|
|
|
Famous kidney ore as they have been called. This particular piece exhibits wonderful luster over bulging coffee bean
colored knobs. I've noticed the better quality in dark brown to nearly black hematites as opposed to reddish brown
pieces, which tend to be dull and foliate with time. This classic has a very tight and smooth botryoidal surface.
|
|
S12155 - Dolomite with Hematite - $400
Brumado Mine, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil
Overall Size: 4.2 x 3.2 cm
|
|
|
A widespread mineral found in many mines would suggest that fine dolomite is relatively plentiful in good quality;
however, nothing could be further from the truth. Transparent crystals are INCREDIBLY rare except at Brumado
where water-clear twins surpass all others for size and transparency. A jewel in person.
|
|
S12156 - Rutile inclusions in Quartz - $745 Reserved
Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
Overall Size: 5.4 x 3.5 cm
|
|
|
|
Much better in person and 100% MESMERIZING. In the mineral kingdom there is nothing quite like transparent
quartz filled with distinct acicular rutile crystals. Literally tons of yellow inclusions have been mined from Novo
Horizonte for the lapidary trade whereas Diamantina produced only a few isolated pockets of the much rarer
reddish needles. Such solid inclusions of rutilated quartz make spectacular mineral specimens.
|
|
S12157 - Quartz (Var. Rose Quartz) with Quartz - $5750
Berilo Branco Mine, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
Overall Size: 6.5 x 5.3 cm
|
|
|
|
Outstanding ring of lavish rose pink quartz completely surrounds pale yellowish smoky quartz. A "complete" specimen,
what do I mean by that? It has every important feature to complete a specimen, aesthetic growth, good color, high
degree of luster and quality just to name a few. Out of zillions of localities for this wide-ranging species, Brazilian rose
quartz attracts probably more attention in the collector market than all other quartz, and these highly distinguishable
pieces are enough to make anyone's mouth water. There never were many with this type of splendid crystallization to
go around. No damage.
|
|
S12158 - Malachite - $1100 Reserved
Czar Shaft, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona
Overall Size: 11.4 x 8.3 cm
|
|
|
|
Stylish malachites have been sought after since they were first discovered at this classic American locale. The form
and underlying limonite are indicative of this material, a favorite among Bisbee collectors where for the better part
of a century world-class specimens made the locality famous, in particular azurite, but no other mineral is more
closely associated with its blue cousin. Currently, large botryoidal "bowls" over ten grand were listed online,
overpriced? may be, in any event I'm only asking a fraction of that price for what is actually the better specimen.
|
|
S12159 - Fluorite - $475
St. Louis Level, Annabel Lee Mine, Hardin Co., Illinois
Overall Size: 8.8 x 7.8 cm
|
|
|
|
Commonly seen but not always of the sharpest form, eroded fluorite cubes from the famous fluorspar deposits of
southern Illinois definitely have character. Here on the main crystal we have three original corners poking out of
a depressed central area, the leftover activity from the dissolving process. Largest xl is 5.8 x 5 cm.
|
|
S12160 - Rhodochrosite - $275
Huayllapon Mine, Pasto Bueno District, Peru
Overall Size: 6.2 x 3.5 cm
|
|
Similar to textbook rhodochrosite from Alma, Colorado, noted for fine quality and intense color, these raspberry-
red rhombs also exhibit striking deep rose pink that has made the mineral overwhelmingly popular with
mineral collectors.
|
|
S12161 - Quartz - $210 SOLD
Dal'negorsk Mine, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
Overall Size: 4 x 3.7 cm
|
|
Typical crystal almost entirely of termination faces with little to no prism development. Highly gemmy in person with
only a slightly milky core, to be specific it is actually transparent on all corners. Very choice and without damage.
|
|
S12162 - Quartz (Var. Ametrine) - $235 SOLD
Anahi Mine, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia
Overall Size: 4.5 x 3.2 x 2.2 cm
|
|
|
|
This bicolor quartz is by far the most popular Bolivian gemstone, largely due to its unique mix of purple amethyst
and yellow citrine, hence the varietal name ametrine. More often than not crystals form in a crude state and
terminated pieces are rare. Gorgeous miniature.
|
|
S12163 - Calcite - $250
Wessels Mine, Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa
Overall Size: 7 x 5.6 cm
|
|
|
|
Gemmy colorless calcite crystals measuring up to 4.5 cm long sit together on matrix forming a pristine cluster.
If this is your thing then by all means grab it! In good condition.
|
|
S12164 - Pyrite with Quartz - $360
Buick Mine, Viburnum Trend, Iron Co., Missouri
Overall Size: 8.4 x 1.7 cm
|
|
Some pyrite localities produce nearly every conceivable habit and combination found, but long, shiny, complete
stalactites remain highly desirable by some. Other features include the "jacket" of white quartz giving it that
extra aesthetic effect. Quite 3 dimensional in person too. Nice rock!
|
|
S12165 - Quartz - $110
Irai, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Overall Size: 5 x 4.2 cm
|
|
Different shade of peach colored quartz from here. This wheel-shaped disc measures 3.7 cm in diameter and
would make an excellent addition to any quartz suite.
|
|
