Minerals
from the Collection of
Brett J. Beach
AB-039 Sulfur on Aragonite
Agrigento (Girgenti), Sicily, Italy
13.5 x 13.5 cm.
A truly classic specimen. Almost no sulfur specimens are being recoverd these days from Sicily. This specimen is at least 25 years old as this location was leveled in 1979, obliterating the workings to make ready for the construction of a housing project. Several years ago it was revealed that a good portion of Sulfur on matrix specimens were manufactured by artificially growing crystals on pieces of matrix. I am positive that this is a genuine, natural occuring specimen as almost all of the Sulfer crystals are embedded in the Aragonite.
AB-062 Malachite
Shaba Zaire
9.5 9.5 x 6 cm.
This specimen has to be one of the all time lustrous crystalized Malachites that I have ever seen. When you see it in person you will be amazed how each little Malachite crystal covering this specimen sparkles like a million tiny gems. In a market that is flooded with malachite, this is truly a world class specimen.
AB-063 Calcite with Colemanite
U.S. Borax Mine, Boron, Kern County, California
8 x 9 x 7.5 cm.
A killer example of botryoidal Calcite from this famous mine. On more than one occasion I have spent entire days breaking open boulders filled with vugs of Calcite hoping to get a specimen like this one. From my experience most of the vugs containing Calcite are just too small to allow a specimen of this size and quality to develop. This specimen would make a great addition to anyone's collection.
AB-052 Fluorite on Sphalerite
Elmwood Mine, Smith County, Tennessee
7 x 8.5 x 4.4 cm.
A well formed cube of Fluorite perched on a mound of Sphalerite. Good, undamaged, Elmwood specimens are getting very hard to come by now that the mine is closed. This specimen would be a respectable addition to anyone's suite of Elmwood specimens. The major Fluorite on this specimen is almost perfect, save for a small area of contact on the rear. The smaller crystal is not damaged either. It has been contacted but is not as well developed as the main crystal.
AB-060 Pyrrhotite with Siderite & Galena
Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico
10 x 7 x 2.8 cm.
In a market Flooded with sub-standard Mexican ore specimens this one really stands out. Both the Pyrrhotite and the Galena have an excellent luster and the rosettes of Siderite make for a nice contrast. This specimen would make a fine addition to one's suite of Sulfide or Mexican minerals.
AB-044 Stilbite on Chalcedony
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
8 x 7.5 3.8 cm.
A top quality Indian specimen. The blue sparkling Chalcedony provides an excellent backround for the well formed lustrous salmon colored Stilbite crystals.
AB-057 Pyrite
Huanzala
Mine, Huallanca District,
Huanuco Department, Peru
7.5 5.5 x 4 cm.
A chunky cluster of modified pyritohedal crystals. While there are tens of thousands Pyrite specimens from Peru, very few have crystals of this size that exhibit a mirror-like luster. This specimen is damage free. As you can see in the photo, the rear of the specimen has a jagged edge. This is due to being abutted to another crystal rather than being broken.
AB-058 Rhodochrosite
stalactite
(Polished Section)
La Capillita Mine, Catamarca Province, Argentina
9.5 x 7.5 cm.
A
classic example of a polished section of a Rhodochrosite stalactite. Very
few of this size are seen these days and even fewer are this red &
exhibit this much clarity. I've looked around at what's available
& most of it is not that impressive. These are definitely a
hard to find item, especially of this size & quality. Absolutely
a top quality specimen.
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