Gallery 1
Mixed Minerals
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AH-003 Siderite, Calcite and Pectolite $250
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada
8.5 x 7.5 x 5.4 cm.
A matrix specimen consisting of two 3-centimeter rhombohedral Siderite crystals surrounded by several smaller crystals, accented with clusters of grayish Calcite crystals and sprays of white Pectolite crystals. One of the larger siderite crystals has a minor bruise on its corner, which in my opinion does not detract from the overall appearance of this specimen. The Calcite on this mineral specimen fluoresces red under shortwave ultraviolet illumination. While some crystals of Siderite occurring in the carbonate-rich pegmatites of Mont Saint-Hilaire have been found in sizes up to 25 centimeters on edge, this mineral specimen is from a marble xenolith environment which rarely yields Siderite crystals larger than 1-2 centimeter size range, making the rhombs on this specimen unusually large.
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AH-001 Siderite,
Pectolite & Zircon $320
(ex. Ron
Waddell collection)
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada
14 x 8.5 x 7.5 cm.
This matrix specimen consists of a 3-centimeter rhombohedral Siderite crystal complemented by several smaller crystals, accented with sprays of white Pectolite crystals and several 6 mm Zircon crystals. The Pectolite on this mineral specimen exhibits a reddish-pink fluorescence and the Zircon crystals fluoresce yellow under shortwave ultraviolet illumination. While some crystals of Siderite occurring in the carbonate-rich pegmatites of Mont Saint-Hilaire have been found in sizes up to 25 centimeters on edge, this mineral specimen is from a marble xenolith environment which rarely yields Siderite crystals larger than 1-2 centimeter size range, making the main crystal on this specimen rather large.
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C-102 Celestine $65
Machów Mine, Tarnobrzeg, Podkarpackie, Poland
5.5 x 5 x 4.1 cm.
A beautiful, chunky, cluster of Celestine crystals from the famous Sulfur mines of Podkarpackie, Poland. In addition to its aesthetic form, this specimen when illuminated by SWUV light shows a strong whitish-yellowish-green fluorescence and exhibits a pleasing light-green phosphorescence. A great specimen for anyone's mineral cabinet, especially collectors of fluorescent mineral specimens.
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C-086 Calcite $25
Pershing Area, Marion County, Iowa
7 x 4 x 4 cm.
A lustrous specimen of nearly transparent, root-beer colored rhombs of Calcite. This specimen has a slightly iridescent glow that seems to be emitted from within the crystals, possibly due to hydrocarbon or petroleum inclusions. The tips of the Calcite crystals fluoresce a pale creamy yellow-brown when illuminated by shortwave ultraviolet light and the front bottom portion of this specimen has a slightly stronger fluorescence. From my experience, mineral specimens from Iowa are hardly ever offered for sale.
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C-090 Calcite helectite $60
Holbrook Mine, Bisbee, Warren District, Cochise County, AZ
8.6 x 7.5 x 4.1 cm.
A dramatic helectite consisting of many elongated Calcite crystals in the form of semi-flattened scalenohedra. This plenitudinous amalgamation of Calcite crystals was formed by mineral-bearing fluids that were forced out of the cavity walls and drawn by surface tension into shapes that defy the laws of gravity. Due to its method of formation, it has a contact on the bottom of the specimen, however, it presents well. This specimen features individual crystals up to 1.8 cm. over a core of greenish-blue mineral inclusion.
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D-011 Cobaltoan Dolomite $50
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia
7 x 5 x 2 cm.
This skullcap-like specimen of the Cobalt-containing variety of the mineral Dolomite features a pearly lustre and a pleasing pink hue. Cobaltoan Dolomite from Tsumeb is hard to find these days and is much desired by collectors. The rear of this mineral specimen is also completely crystallized.
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S-030 Dolomite on Sphalerite $55
Elmwood Mine, Smith County, Tennessee
6.5 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm.
A very gemmy Sphalerite encased in a ring of Dolomite crystals. I backlit this specimen just a little bit to better illustrate the striking color of the Sphalerite.
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H-025 Hedenbergite & Calcite $95
Bamble, Telemark, Norway
5 x 3.8 x 3.6 cm.
I really like the way the Calcite covers this chunky cluster of Norwegian Hedenbergite crystals. It reminds me of mountains covered with snow, which is fitting since that is what the terrain where this specimen was found looks like. Well formed crystals of this mineral are not often found.
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C-062 Celestine with Calcite $175
Clay Center, Ottawa County, OH
14.7 x 4.5 x 1.6 cm.
A very interesting, rather large Celestine crystal that started out as a single crystal but ended up with 3 termination peaks. This crystal while partially included has some very clear areas within. An interesting feature of this crystal is that the spongy masses of Calcite on the sides of the crystal and included within exhibit a intense white fluorescence. Large Celestine crystals from this location are rarely seen these days and are very difficult to obtain as they are much prized by the local collectors.
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A-029 Fluorapophyllite on Stilbite $285
Rahuri, Ahmadnagar District, Maharashtra, India
10.2 x 9.8 x 6.1 cm.
This specimen features a 4.5 centimeter long, radiating cluster of gemmy Fluorapophyllite crystals on a nest of Stilbite crystals which makes for an aesthetic contrast of colors. The largest crystal in this cluster measures 2.4 centimeters tall. These radiating formations were discovered in 2002 and are quite desirable.
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T-108 Thomsonite $120
Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India
4.3 x 4.4 x 4.5 cm.
This attractive specimen features 3 radiating, acicular crystals of the rare zeolite mineral Thomsonite dramatically perched on a matrix of vuggy basalt. It is very unusual find Thomsonite crystals in this form.
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C-046 Colemanite $50
Furnace
Creek District, Death Valley, Inyo County, CA
(Type Locality)
7.4 x 3.5 x 5.1 cm.
A chunky cluster of Colemanite crystals from the type locality for this species. Good examples of Colemanite from this now defunct location are extremely hard to find these days. The crystal faces of this specimen are intact and have a nice luster. Personally, I like these chunky Colemanite specimens a lot better than the thin spear shaped specimens from Boron. This specimen is complete all around save for a partial cleavage on the bottom of the specimen. This specimen was found in the 1970's by Jim and Dawn Minette.
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C-051 Calcite on Barite with Fluorite $80
Minerva # 1 Mine, Hardin County, IL
7 x 8 x 5.1 cm.
A killer, lustrous Calcite crystal on a matrix of Barite that is sprinkled with tiny cubic Fluorite crystals. This Calcite specimen has a nice luster. The mines of Hardin County have been closed for many years now and good material is getting very hard to obtain.
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Q-030 Scheelite & Calcite on Quartz $35
Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
8.6 x 2 x 6 cm.
At first this appears to be a rather mundane looking specimen, but turn it around and you'll see that this assembelage of minerals is on a Quartz crystal. Both the Calcite & the Scheelite are fluorescent.
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P-029 Pyrite ps Pyrrhotite with Calcite $85
Noche Buena Mine, Zacatecas, Mexico
7 x 5.5 x 6 cm.
Here we have a classic mineral specimen from a long defunct location. This mound of Pyrrhotite crystals has been replaced by Pyrite, after which a second generation of cubic Pyrite and Calcite crystals formed on top of that. Really good looking specimens from this location are very hard to find these days.
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AH-026 Zircon
and Pectolite $200
(ex. Christopher Rasmussen collection)
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada
8.2 x 5.5 x 5 cm.
This mineral specimen features an abundance of iridescent Zircon crystals surrounded by a multitude of finely-crystalized sprays of Pectolite. The Zircon crystals fluoresce yellow and the Pectolite crystals fluoresce a light yellow and pink hue when illuminated under shortwave ultraviolet light.
ContactMalachite Azurite Quartz with Hedenbergite