Gallery 1
Mixed Mineral Specimens
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R-033 Rhodochrosite and Quartz on Pyrite $75
Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province, Ancash Department, Peru
6 x 4.2 x 3.8 cm.
While not the most commonly seen Peruvian mineral association involving Pyrite, these have always been one of my favorites. A very aesthetic specimen due to the contrast of colors between the Rhodochrosite that has formed over a matrix of well crystallized Pyrite. An added bonus are the many well-formed Quartz crystals protruding from this specimen.
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P-069 Pyrite $120
Quiruvilca Mine, La Libertad Department, Peru
5.5 x 5 x 4.5 cm.
This specimen of Pyrite possesses a great brilliance and complex crystallography. In addition to its great form, the terminations of the crystals have triangle-shaped modifications. This specimen also has curious forms of growth patterns that are present on all the faces of the Pyrite. It is complete all around except for an area of contact on the rear\bottom. Pyrite does not often form in crystals of this habit and although not rare, are very hard to come by.
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P-070 Pyromorphite $60
Huari-Huari Mine, Seranía Huarihuari, Potosí Department, Bolivia
7 x 6.4 x 3 cm.
On a worldwide scale, these Pyromorphite specimens from Boilvia are not the best, but for the location, they are quite interesting and unique. This material is something that is very rarely offered on the open market. This specimen has many fine, sharp and somewhat lustrous, prismatic, green and yellow crystals of Pyromorphite sitting atop an oxidized matrix. These are very well formed crystals and are not skeletal or hoppered as is often the case with Pyromorphites from other locations. This specimen was collected in May of 2009.
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L-024 Lazurite (TL) in Marble $160
Ladjuar
Medam, Koksha Valley, Sar-e Sang,
Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan
specimen
size = 10 x 7.5 x 4.5 cm.
crystal
size = 1.7
x 2 x 2 cm.
The mineral Lazurite (also known as Lapis Lazuli, the vast majority of which is found in massive form) is rarely seen in euhedral crystals such as this one. The Lazurite crystal has sharp faces and a fine form. When these first appeared on the market they were exposed from their matrix by etching them with acid which slightly attacked the crystals, resulting in them having slightly rounded edges. Even today many of them are prepped this way as it is a lot quicker to do so. This Lazurite specimen was prepared correctly by slowly chipping away the matrix surrounding the crystal.
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C-134 Barite peudomorph after Calcite $40
Taouz, Er Rachidia Province, Meknès-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
7 x 3.1 x 3.6 cm.
Here we are offering a really neat specimen; a stalactite-like stack of interpenetrating crystals of Calcite as large as 2.2 cm. that have replaced the mineral Barite. The contrast between the sand color and the orange-red portions of this mineral specimen make it all the more interesting.
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C-135 Barite peudomorph after Calcite $35
Taouz, Er Rachidia Province, Meknès-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
5.6 x 3.1 x 3.5 cm.
Here we are offering a really neat specimen; a stalactite-like stack of interpenetrating crystals of Calcite as large as 2.2 cm. that have replaced the mineral Barite. The contrast between the sand color and the orange-red portions of this mineral specimen make it all the more interesting.
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F-184 Fluorite with Calcite, Quartz and Pyrite $395
El Hamman Mine, Meknès Prefecture, Morocco
15.5 x 14.5 x 4.1 cm.
This specimen features many medium to dark-green crystals of Fluorite. This specimen has several interesting features; the first being numerous water-clear Quartz crystals up to 3 mm. in size that cover the entire specimen. The top of the specimen is blanketed with Calcite and there are dozens of brass-colored, ball-like Pyrites covering the specimen. This Fluorite specimen is complete, with no damage. The back of the specimen is flat , but shows many growth hillocks as well as many white, needle-like inclusions. An excellent example of a combo specimen for this location.
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G-097 Goethite pseudomorph after Siderite $65
Gourrama, Errachidia Province, Meknès-Tafilalet, Morocco
7.5 x 5 x 3.5 cm.
This lustrous and very well-formed pseudomorph specimen features crystals measuring up to 2.5 cm. I have seen a lot of Moroccan minerals over the years, but have only encountered several of these pieces. Pseudomorphs usually tend to be at least a little bit crude looking. This is not the case for this specimen, as it faithfully retains the the shape of the of the Siderite crystals that have been replaced by the mineral, Goethite. This is a very attractive mineral specimen despite it being a pseudomorph and black in color.
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M-048 Primary Malachite on Calcite cast after Dolomite $120 SOLD
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
8.4 x 6 x 5 cm.
Here we have a very sculptural, three-dimensional and multi-sided specimen of the mineral Dolomite that has been cast after rhombs of flattened Calcite crystals. The green tufts of primary Malachite needles are an enhancement to the aesthetics of this piece. Portions of the Dolomite have a different look, possessing a very sparkly and sugary, light green hue, which I suspect is Cuprian Dolomite. This is a really uncommon and showy combination specimen for Tsumeb.
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C-183 Calcite $55
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
9.1 x 8.8 x 4.2 cm.
Here we have a cluster of Calcite crystals that have been included with microscopic grains of Hematite. These inclusions of Hematite, along with its lustre, give this specimen a good contrast of colors. The backside of this specimen is completely infused with brick-red Hematite. Tsumeb Calcites come in a wide range of habits and colors, making them one of the most diverse species from this historic and prolific locality.
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C-110 Calcite with Orpiment inclusions $135
Jiepaiyu Mine, Changde Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
6.7 x 7 x 4 cm.
Here we have a really neat and colorful included Calcite specimen. While Calcite specimens from China are rather common, very few of these Orpiment-included Calcites have appeared on the market. Most all of the Calcite crystals on this specimen are double-terminated and have an eye-pleasing lemon-yellow hue due to the inclusion of the mineral Orpiment. Good, aesthetic Calcites from this particular mine are not common as many were damaged due to poor collecting methods and careless transport. But the most spectacular thing about this specimen is the fact that when illuminated by SWUV light, it fluoresces almost the same color lemon yellow as the inclusions appear in white light.
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A-057 Hydroxyapophyllite $65
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Mn Fields, N.C.P., South Africa
9.5 x 8 x 5 cm.
The N'Chwaning Mine is famous for its world-class Rhodochrosite crystals. What most people don't know is that it also produces the somewhat rare mineral Hydroxyapophyllite. This specimen features crystals measuring to 1 cm. in size. The crystals on this specimen exhibit an almost pearly lustre.
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C-141 Cuprian Adamite $75
Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico
8 x 9.8 x 4.9 cm.
A striking specimen of the Copper-rich variety of Adamite from the historic Ojuela Mine in Mexico. The reddish-colored Limonite matrix combined with green color of the Cuprian Adamite makes for a very colorful specimen. The Copper-rich variety of the mineral Adamite is considered to be highly desirable by collectors and is much rarer than its yellow cousin Adamite.
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F-064 Calcite on Fluorite $90
Minerva #1 Mine, Hardin County, IL
9.5 x 7 x 4 cm.
A very attractive cluster of bicolored Fluorite crystals with numerous scalenohedral crystals of Calcite, some of which are double terminated. The Fluorite is intact except for a small portion of the lower left rear where it has been contacted. This is also an older specimen that was found in the late 1970's.
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G-087 Galena and Chalcopyrite $80
Joplin Field, Tri-State District, Jasper County, Missouri
5.5 x 5 x 4.5 cm.
This is an old Tri-State Galena specimen that is truly amazing to look at, in that its surface is completely covered with small, flat-topped epitaxial Galena crystals resulting from a second generation of growth. The main crystal is complete, with the back side being L-shaped where it was wrapped around the matrix rock. The Galena also has many tiny, golden Chalcopyrite crystals, which add to the specimens attractiveness.
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W-021 Wavellite $35
Mauldin Mountain, Montgomery County, Arkansas
5 x 4 x 3.5 cm.
This sparkling, grass-green specimen features two balls of Wavellite on a thin carpet of the same. This locality is now defunct and it is getting harder and harder to find good examples of this material.
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F-094 Fluorite and Celestite $140
White Rock Quarry, Clay Center, Ottawa County, OH
8.5 x 6.5 x 3 cm.
An extremely lustrous specimen of Fluorite crystals with blades of Celestine. The photo does not even come close to conveying how gorgeous this specimen is. This specimen exhibits a mottled white and gray fluorescence and is also phosphorescent. Specimens of this quality from this location are rarely seen these days.
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AG-009 Realgar $185
Shaft 5, Level 280, Baia Sprie, Romania
4.9 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm.
This outstanding specimen of Realgar is from the find made in late 2005. This stunning find produced a limited amount of specimens and are considered to be among the best ever found at this classic locality, which has been regardard as the premier location for Realgar specimens. This Mine is now closed and the lower levels have filled with water and the pumps have been turned off permanently.
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AG-010 Realgar $250
Shaft 5, Level 280, Baia Sprie, Romania
5 x 3.4 x 2.1 cm.
This outstanding specimen of Realgar is from the find made in late 2005. This stunning find produced a limited amount of specimens and are considered to be among the best ever found at this classic locality, which has been regardard as the premier location for Realgar specimens. This Mine is now closed and the lower levels have filled with water and the pumps have been turned off permanently.
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AG-011 Realgar and Stibnite $200
Shaft 5, Level 280, Baia Sprie, Romania
4.7 x 3.4 x 3 cm.
This outstanding specimen of Realgar is from the find made in late 2005. This stunning find produced a limited amount of specimens and are considered to be among the best ever found at this classic locality, which has been regardard as the premier location for Realgar specimens. This Mine is now closed and the lower levels have filled with water and the pumps have been turned off permanently.
