Minerals
from the Collection of
Brett J. Beach
AB-061 Corundum variety Ruby
Luc Yen, Yen Bai, Vietnam
specimen
size = 7 x 6 x 4.7 cm.
crystal size = 3 x 1.6 x .5 cm.
An excellent well proportioned matrix Ruby specimen. I had a hard time finding the words to describe this specimen so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. After all, as they say, each one is worth a thousand words.
AB-028 Cavansite on Quartz with Stilbite
Wagholi Quarry, Poona, India
4.8 x 4.5 x 3 cm.
While Cavansites are more abundant than they once were, the aesthtic specimens are harder to come by. This beauty has just the right amount of matrix & features a 1.8 x 1.5 x 2 cm. main crystal & a cascade of smaller crystals down it's center. One of the Stilbites has a small bruise but this does not detract any from this specimen.
AB-023 Pyrite
American Aggregate Quarry, Indianapolis, IN
5.2 x 4.8 x 3.3 cm.
This stunning nodule of Pyrite octahdra is by far the most lustrous example from this small find made in 1994. It has a mirror-like finish that will blow you away when you see it in person. Not very many of these were found and this is by far the best looking example from this location that I've seen. I had to photgraph this specimen in very little light due to the amount of light it reflected back at my camera and despite this the photos still managed to convey it's lusture which when viewed in person is tenfold as lustrous compared to these photos. This specimen would make a killer addition to anyone's suite of Pyrite or Sulfide minerals.
AB-021 Azurite
Chessy, Department du Lyon, France
4.8 x 3.9 x 3.7 cm.
Here's one that you don't see too often anymore. Chessy, France Azurites have long been regarded as above average for this species. This specimen features the classic spiral of blocky crystals that are much sought after. Despite exhibiting slight bruising on the termination, this piece displays extremely well. Out of all of the times that this specimen was exhibited competitively the Judges never even noticed this slight imperfection. If your'e looking to score a Chessy Azurite on the cheap here's your chance.
AB-069 Okenite on Gyrolite with Epistilbite & Calcite
Bombay Region, India
16 x 12 x 10 cm.
Here we have an outstanding example of the mineralogical diversity of the Deccan Basalt Trap of India. The Okenite measures a respectable 3 x 3 cm. and is perched majestically at he leading edge of this vug. The yellow Gyrolite lines the cavity making for a nice contrast. This piece also features several beatiful spherical Epistilbites, one of which can be better viewed in the close-up photo. Personally I can't remember the last time I've seen an Okenite specimen associated with Epistilbite. According to Berthold Ottens's thouroghly detailed writings concerning Indian Zeolites & related minerals which was published by The Mineralogical record in January-February of 2003, Epistilbite accounts for only 2% of the minerals found in the Deccan basalts and Okenite doesn't even make the list. Which gives you a pretty good idea of just how uncommon this association is. Throw in a quite gemmy Calcite and you have a fine example of the diversity of minerals to be found in the vuggy Deccan Basalts.
AB-035 Dioptase
Altyn-Tyube
(Type Locality), Qarqaraly,
Kirshee Steppes, Kazakhstan.
7.5 x 5 x 3.7 cm.
An excellent specimen from the type locality for this species. You've got to see this in person to appreciate the electric color of the Dioptase. They are absolutely gorgeous.
AB-010 Azurite
Xi Lu Copper Mine, Guangdong Province, China
4.2 x 5.2 x 2.2 cm.
This castle like cluster of Azurite has a great lusture and looks far better in person than in this photograph. Even after a thorough cleaning, my camera seemed to only want to accentuate what little bits of clay remained on the specimen. Belive me, what little bit of clay remains is nowhere near as prominent as it appears to be in the photo. This specimen looks far, far better in person and in my opinion is priced quite fairly.
Brett J. Beach
June 7, 1961 to November 21, 2005
R.I.P. Brother
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