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Mixed Mineral SpecimensSPRING SALE 25 - 50% OFF ALL MINERAL SPECIMENSReturn to Mineral Specimen Galleries
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C-255 Corundum
variety Sapphire Bawmar, Kyatpyin North, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region, Burma 5.3 x 4 x 2.7 cm Here we have an alluvial Sapphire crystal from one of Asia's more prolific gem producers. This crystal still has some of its matrix attached. This Sapphire has a medium-yellow color that is stained red by iron that has leached from the piece of the crystal's host rock that is still attached. Despite being river-tumbled, this Sapphire shows good form. This specimen would make a colorful addition to any collector's mineral cabinet.
G-125 Andradite
Garnet with Epidote Marki Khel, Spin Ghar Range, Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan 5.7 x 3.5 x 1 cm. This is one of the more weirdly-formed Garnets crystals that I have come across. This specimen consists of a cinnamon-brown Andradite that looks as if it has been squeezed while it was forming and is accented by several small areas of pistachio-green Epidote. This uncommonly-shaped Garnet is 100% complete all-around, has no damage with a great lustre as well as some areas where it is transparent. Quite different from your usual Marki Khel Garnet specimen.
B-247 Emerald
(double terminated) SOLD Krupskoye Deposit, Izumrudnye Kopi Area, Malyshevo, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.9 cm A double terminated and richly colored Emerald Specimen from near Malyshevo, Russia. This specimen was mostly covered Biotite when I acquired it and after being prepared it was revealed that it possessed a good translucency and a pleasing inner glow with out being backlit. The upper termination of this Emerald dimpled on one edge. There is no damage to this specimen. The gem deposits in the Malyshevo area were first discovered in the 1830's. Since then the locality has provided superb crystals and gem cutting material of emerald and phenakite.
AH-028 Analcime
with Synchysite Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada 10 x 5 x 4.5 cm. This large specimen, upon first glance, appears to be a rather typical-looking cluster of Analcime crystals, but this specimen is more than that. The dark gray region is composed of hundreds of 0.5 millimeter disk-shaped crystals of the rare mineral Synchesite-(Ce). (Ce is the symbol for the rare-earth element Cerium, for you non-chemists out there.) Although some are naked-eye visible, the Synchesite crystals are better viewed with a loupe or a microscope which also reveals a sprinkling of minute Pyrite crystals, especially along the edges of the Synchesite discs.
S-141 Siderite,
Dolomite, Albite, Pyrrhotite and Quartz Morro Velho Mine, Nova Lima, Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil 9 x 7.6 x 6.4 cm This specimen hails from the world's oldest continually producing gold mine, started in 1725. Present on this specimen are lenticular crystals of Dolomite to 2.4 cm. and very clear Siderite crystals to 2.0 cm. in size. Most notable though, are the numerous crenellated Albite crystals measuring up to 3.3 cm. in size. Albite is not often seen on specimens from this famous location, especially in crystals this large. Both Siderite and Dolomite from Morro Velho are considered world-class in quality. Also found on on this specimen are clear and gemmy Quartz crystals and the ever present Pyrrhotite.
A-124 Apophyllite Mahodari, Sinnar, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India 5.8 x 5.7 x 5 cm A stout and fully formed crystal of umber-yellow & brick-red Apophyllite. This floater crystal has a good form and a good lustre. These unusual specimens of included Apophyllite from several small finds in 2003-2004 became instant classics when they first appeared. Marketed as “Marshy Apophyllite” the inclusions were said to be Mozartite, a rare Ca-Mn silicate, but that has since been discredited. The inclusions were later determined to be clays or Chlorite. The red inclusions are iron oxides.
P-074 Pyrite
bar Buick Mine, Bixby, Iron County, MO 10.4 x 4.9 x 4.8 cm A stout, Pyrite bar from the famous Buick Mine in the Viburnum Trend of Missouri. This specimen exhibits a medium lustre and has slight twist which is common for these “bars”. These specimens were recovered about 40 or so years ago and are considered to be classics.
S-131
Strontianite on Fluorite with Chalcopyrite Minerva #1 Mine, Ozark-Mahoning Group, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, IL 9.7 x 6 x 5.7 cm This specimen features white to colorless Strontianite crystals on a matrix of crystallized Fluorite. The spiky, minute crystals in radiating tufts, as seen on this specimen from the Minerva #1 Mine are a great example of the species from this closed locality. This specimen has a lot of presence. Strontianite is a rare carbonate mineral (strontium carbonate) and one of only a handful of known strontium minerals. Crystals of this mineral species are much rarer than the massive form.
G-159 Spessartine
on Muscovite Nani Hill, Loliondo, Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region, Tanzania 6.3 x 3.8 x 1.9 cm This specimen consists of two orange-colored Spessartine crystals, the largest measuring 1.1 cm across, in a mica rich matrix. Complete all around and damage-free. Range-colored Spessartine garnets are not that common and are only found in a handfull of localities.
H-087 Halite Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, CA 9.1 x 7.8 x 5.4 cm A very sculptural and three-dimensional specimen of Halite. The color of this specimen is natural, not dyed. These specimens owe their color to algae that is trapped inside the Halite crystals when they grow near the surface of the lake.
E-027 Epidote Dom Gaspar, Bahia, Brazil 6.8 x 3 x 1.3 cm. Here we present a slender prismatic crystal of Epidote with a crenellated termination. This is an excellent example of Brazilian Epidote that shimmers in the light and the little pistachio-colored crystals on the front are a nice accent.
S-183 Smithsonite Hilarion Mine, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion Mining District, Lavreotiki, Attica, Greece 11 x 5.5 x 3.2 cm This specimen features many crystals of the Zn-carbonate mineral Smithsonite on a contrasting gossan matrix. The Smithsonite crystals have a faint sea-foam-colored hue. The mines of Lavrion are famous for the multitude of minerals that it has produced. Over the last 2,000-plus years this location has been worked Intermittently. The last mining ceased in 1984. Smithsonite is named after British mineralogist and chemist, James Smithson, who bequeathed the funds that made possible the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. B-220 Barite Baia Sprie Mine, Baia Sprie, Maramures County, Romania 8.1 x 5 x 4.5 cm Here we have a cluster of thin pale, blue-grey Barite crystals on matrix. This three-dimensional specimen features fans of Barite crystals measuring up to 2.1 cm in size. These blue Barite specimens are some of the most desirable of the species from this location.
F-222 Adularia Hamilton Hill Mine, Jessieville, Garland County, AR 8.3 x 7.6 x 4.3 cm A mound of bone-white Adularia crystals. The specimen has a slightly pearlescent lustre. This specimen is from a small project in 2013 that yielded Adularia and Quartz combination specimens. Hamilton Hill has been worked intermittently for over 150 years. Quartz crystal mining was begun at Hamilton Hill shortly after the Civil War by William Hamilton and John Neal. Hamilton Hill reputedly produced the largest volume of crystals of any of the old mines in the Garland County area. It was particularly well known for producing important collector specimens.
S-147 Stilbite Paterson, Passaic County, NJ 6.8 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm. A specimen of well-terminated, yellow-orange crystals of Stilbite measuring up to 8 mm on a basalt matrix.
F-267
Adularia variety Valencianite (type locality) Valenciana Mine, Municipio Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico 11 x 7.6 x 3 cm A good sized plate of lustrous crystals of the variety of Feldspar known as Valencianite, whose name comes from the mine that it was first identified from. This specimen features crystals measuring up to 3 centimeters, many of which exhibit a slight curvature. An excellent example of a lesser known variety of Feldspar. Valencianite is rarely seen for sale these days, let alone specimens from the type locality. A great addition to anyone's suite of Mexican mineral specimens or one's Feldspar collection. All right all of you closet Feldspar collectors (like myself), here's your chance to get a great deal on a rare variety of Feldspar from the type locality.
F-268 Adularia
variety Valencianite (type locality) Valenciana Mine, Municipio Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico 13.6 x 8.5 x 1.7 cm A good sized plate of lustrous crystals of the variety of Feldspar known as Valencianite, whose name comes from the mine that it was first identified from. This specimen features crystals measuring up to 3.2 centimeters, many of which exhibit a slight curvature. A good example of a lesser known variety of Feldspar.
B-209 Barite Congreso-León Mine, San Pedro Corralitos, Municipio de Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico 4.6 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm This aesthetic specimen of Barite consists of very thin group of pointed tabular blades to 3.3 centimeters perched on gossan matrix. There is also a secondary growth of smaller Barite crystals on one side of the specimen. These specimens were collected by mineral dealer Benny Fenn around 1970-71.
G-087 Galena
and Chalcopyrite 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 euhedral matrix rock. The Galena also has many tiny, golden Chalcopyrites, which add to the specimen's attractiveness.
G-123 Hessonite
Garnet with Clinochlore Ala Valley, Lanzo Valleys, Torino Province, Piedmont, Italy 10.3 x 7.2 x 3.1 cm. This colorful specimen hails from the alpine veins of Val d’Ala, Italy. This matrix specimen is covered in glassy and gemmy, wine-colored Garnets, to .9 centimeters across. They are lustrous and sparkling, especially the smaller ones, and quite beautiful. Associated with the Garnets is the ever present (at least when it comes to alpine-type mineral deposits) Clinochlore which makes for a nice contrast of colors.
G-145 Andradite
Garnet Tepustete Ranch, Álamos, Municipio de Álamos, Sonora, Mexico 8.2 x 5.2 x 3.1 cm Numerous green to dark green Andradite crystals scattered on a matrix of Quartz. The crystals on this specimen are mostly translucent. Examples of this material are seldom seen for sale.
C-294 Corundum
variety Sapphire Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe 4.6 x 3.7 x 3 cm A blue-gray crystal of Sapphire with a little bit of Biotite. This crystal has some lustre and is complete except for a small area of contact. I am told that the mine collapsed some time ago and there are no plans to re-open it. If, like me, you are a fan of Corundum; check out this website: The Corunduminium
P-087 Prehnite Luck Stone Quarry, Bealeton, Fauquier County, VA 6.7 x 5.5 x 5.6 cm This lustrous specimen of mint-green-colored Prehnite features crystals up to 1 cm in size. Mineral specimens of any species are extremely rare from this obscure Virginia quarry. In fact, mindat.org only has 2 examples of Prehnite from this location.
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