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Gallery 3 Pegmatite Mineral Specimens |
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S-162 Kunzite $285 Pala Chief Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, CA 6.4 x 3.3 x .9 cm An incredibly gemmy crystal of Kunzite. This Kunzite specimen has great color and displays well. The crystal is lightly etched and is complete all-around with no damage. This specimen came from the collection of noted San Diego collector, Chuck Houser. The Pala Chief mine has been the source of some of the finest Kunzite crystals ever found in southern California. The deposit was first discovered in May of 1903, and developed by several open cuts and minor underground works until mining ceased sometime around 1914. Occasional finds of Spodumene were made again in the mid 1960's, and occasional small finds still occur as a result of ongoing surface and underground mining operations.
H-076 Hambergite $60 Little Three Mine, Ramona, Ramona District, San Diego County, CA 2.2 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm. Besides the usual pegmatite minerals, the Little Three Mine has a strange and unusual list of not so common pegmatite minerals that occur there. Hambergite in general is rare and Hambergite from The little Three is very, very rare. I have only seen maybe less than a dozen examples in all the years that I've been collecting minerals. This stout prism of Hambergite is nearly a floater and has no issues other than a very tiny portion of the termination where it is contacted? I considered cleaning the specimen but, being from this location with an unusual mineralogy, was afraid that what I would remove could be some other rare mineral.
F-258 Cleavelandite with Lepidolite $50 Jonas Mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil 3.7 x 3.9 x 3 cm A well-formed, complete-all-around, flower-like group of Cleavelandite crystals sprinkled with tiny crystals of Lepidolite from the renowned Jonas Mine. Best known for the stunning red-hued Tourmaline that it has produced, the Jonas Mine has produced excellent specimens of other mineral species such as this one. This specimen came from mineral dealer Luis Menezes' personal collection & until recently was a part of my suite of Brazilian Minerals.
T-298 Schorl with Fluorite & Muscovite $165 Erongo Mountain, Karibib, Erongo Region, Namibia 6.4 x 4.5 x 3.4 cm. This Schorl specimen is adorned with cuboctahedral crystals of Fluorite that show well-oriented purple and Green zoning. In addition to the Fluorite, the Schorl is crowned by rosettes of Muscovite that cascade down the back of the specimen. And to bring it all together, the Schorl has a satin-like lustre that is very pleasing to the eye. This is a much better than average example of this material that lived in my collection for almost 10 years.
H-086 Hureaulite
in phosphate nodule $135 Stewart Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, CA 10.9 cm x 7.2 cm x 4.6 cm An interesting, historic specimen comprising a solid phosphate nodule with layered Sicklerite (brown or black on outside), and Hureaulite (reddish to pink) inside. This was once thought to be a new species, and named in honor of the district as "palaite," though this name is now discredited. Still, this is an interesting historic oddity, and a mineralogically interesting specimen as such phosphate pods are rare in the Pala pegmatites. A must-have for any serious collector of pegmatite minerals. This specimen comes with a custom acrylic base.
T-294 Topaz & Smoky Quartz on Microcline $85 Papachacra, Belén Department, Catamarca, Argentina 5.5 x 5.3 x 3.4 cm. This specimen consists of two well-formed, twinned crystals of Microcline partially surrounding a slightly etched crystal of Topaz. Also present are several crystals of Smoky Quartz. The whole assemblage is dusted with minute crystals of Muscovite and a little bit of Chlorite. This specimen is nearly a floater, with only a portion of the bottom of the specimen showing any contact.
A-105 Fluorapatite $75 Sapo Mine, Ferruginha, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil 4.6 x 1.4 x 1.1 cm. Apatite from this mine has come out in a huge array of styles over the years, this particular form being the most interesting in my opinion. This sculptural and complex Apatite crystal shows an interesting inter-grown form. As an added bonus the crystal is hollow and double-terminated. This crystal is damage free and has a terrific lustre.
S-137 Spodumene
variety Triphane $200 San Pedro Mine, Hiriart Mountain, Pala District, San Diego County, California 5.7 x 5 x 1.5 cm. A well-formed, complete all-around. gemmy and faintly pastel-green-colored Spodumene from a classic San Diego County location. This is a curious and singular specimen in that it has a color that is not usually seen in Spodumene from Southern California. A very good example of San Diego Spodumene.
F-260 Orthoclase (Baveno-twin) with Clinochlore $50 Baveno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy 9.5 x 7 x 3.5 cm A column of baveno-twinned, prisms of Orthoclase. This specimen has a dusting of the mineral Clinochlore (Chlorite). This specimen displays well and has a small area of contacting on its bottom and lower rear portion. Baveno, Italy is where this habit of Feldspar twinning was first observed.
M-065 Muscovite with Albite $50 Netélio Mine, Aguas Formosas, Minas Gerais, Brazil 10.7 x 9.2 x 4 cm. Here we have a very geometric and large crystal of Muscovite. This shiny specimen has a good form and a metal-like lustre with a dark-bronze hue.
M-064 Muscovite with Albite $75 Netélio Mine, Aguas Formosas, Minas Gerais, Brazil 13.7 x 9.6 x 5.8 cm This specimen features many well-formed groups of Muscovite intergrown with crystals of Albite. The Muscovite has a rich, dark-bonze color which contrasts nicely with the snow-white Albite crystals. A really great looking example of a couple of common pegmatite minerals that are often overlooked by mineral collectors.
S-149 Spodumene variety Kunzite $90 Oceanview Mine, Chief Mountain, Pala District, San Diego County, CA 7.7 x 1.8 x .7 cm. This doubly-terminated Kunzite is an example of a modern day classic from San Diego County. Near the end of it's existence as a working mine, the Oceanview produced a good amount of strikingly deeply-colored Kunzites. This specimen has a rich purple hue and good form and is mostly clear. No more work is being done at this mine. The Oceanview property now serves as an equipment storage and staging area for underground mining operations at the Oceanview adit on the Elizabeth R. lode mining claim, as well as the location for commercial fee-for-dig mineral dump screening operations.
F-259 Microcline (Baveno-twin) with Schorl $50 Naylor Rock, Vanderberg Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, CA 8.3 x 4.2 x 5.3 cm A perthitic and Baveno-twinned Microcline from an area of the Vanderberg Mine known as Naylor Rock. this specimen is also coated by prismatic, unterminated crystals of Schorl. The Vanderberg mine is noted for the Quality of Kunzite and Morganite that was found in the early and mid 20th century. This location has been closed since 1992 when the secretary of the Interior awarded it to the Pala Tribe after declaring the mining claim claim as abandoned and invalid from the beginning, or void ab initio.
F-247 Amazonite with Schorl $150 Zapot Pegmatite, Gillis Range, Fitting District, Mineral County, NV 6.7 x 6.7 x 5.1 cm A neat specimen of Microcline, variety Amazonite, with a dusting of Schorl crystals. This locality is best known for its attractive Topaz crystals, which are some of the best from the United States, but this classic granitic pegmatite has also produced some attractive turquoise-blue Amazonite specimens. The termination of the crystal is white and has been etched resulting in a crenellated appearance. Specimens from this location are very hard to come by these days, as the mine is now defunct.
H-085 Hureaulite with Correianevesite (TL) $265 Jocão Pegmatite, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil 18.3 x 8.2 x 3.3 cm This specimen is a great example of the diversity of Brazil's pegmatite minerals. The Jocão pegmatite is well-known for its suite of phosphate species that have been found there. It is very similar to the famous Tip Top Mine in South Dakota for the major phosphate species found. The most recognizable of these species is the uncommon manganese phosphate mineral, Hureaulite. This large specimen of salmon to pink-colored Hureaulite is comprised of crystals measuring up to 8 mm in size, many of which are translucent. Also present on this specimen are brown-colored crystals of of the rare iron phosphate mineral, Correianevesite measuring up to 5 mm in size. The Jocão Pegmatite is the type locality for Correianevesite.
S-157 Spodumene on Quartz $75 Nevel Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, ME 5.2 x 4.4 x 2.6 cm A specimen of opaque, off-white-colored Spodumene from Newry, Maine. The Spodumene is terminated on one end and sits in/on a matrix of Quartz. Also present on the specimen are several areas of silvery-colored Muscovite.
F-256 Albite $95 Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Montérégie, Québec, Canada 10.5 x 9 x 2 cm A large, even by Mont Saint-Hilaire standards, Albite crystal. This specimen exhibits a satin-like luster and a most unusual extrusion of smaller crystals on one of its side faces, as can be seen in the middle photograph.
A-112 Fluorapatite & Quartz on Smoky Quartz $165 Dara-i-Pech Pegmatite Field, Chapa Dara District, Kunar Province, Afghanistan 7.6 x 4 x 5.3 cm A prismatic Quartz Quartz crystal sporting a jacket of millimeter-sized crystals of Apatite and Quartz. This singular specimen started as a Smoky Quartz which was covered by a 2 mm layer of clear Quartz and then covered by richly-colored Apatite crystals and some small quartz crystals as well. There is also a second Quartz hitchhiking on one side of the specimen that is partially contacted. A different kind of Apatite specimen from the Pech Valley of Afghanistan.
Q-474 Citrine on Microcline $120 Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil 8.3 x 7.1 x 5.8 cm This specimen hails from a location that is well known its phosphate minerals and superbly crystallized Rose Quartz. This specimen consists of an etched (but complete) crystal of Microcline featuring a clear, sceptered crystal of lightly colored Citrine sprouting from its side. Natural Citrine Quartz crystals are uncommon worldwide and even more so as scepters. This specimen is complete all around with no damage. This specimen was once in my collection and was part of several award winning competitive exhibits of Brazilian Minerals
F-244 Microcline & Beryl on Muscovite $55 Pingwu
Beryl Mine, Mount Xuebaoding, Pingwu County 8 x 8.2 x 3.6 cm One thing you don't see often from Pingwu are specimens of Feldspar. This specimen consists of three baveno-twinned crystals of Microcline on a matrix of Muscovite accented by small crystals of clear Beryl. The Microcline crystals have a good lustre and are completely intact.
M-063 Muscovite & Orthoclase $30 Chabanne Quarry, Saint-Sylvestre, Haute-Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France 4.3 x 3.8 x 3.7 cm This specimen features many spheres of Muscovite measuring up to 7 mm in size, on a matrix of flesh-colored Orthoclase. Examples of botryoidal Muscovite, or any of the Mica minerals, are rare.
A-104 Fluorapatite $65 Sapo Mine, Ferruginha, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil 5.6 x 3 x 1.3 cm. Apatite from this mine has come out in a huge array of styles over the years, this particular form being the most interesting in my opinion. This sculptural and complex Apatite crystal shows an interesting inter-grown form with divergent columns emanating from the upper portion of the specimen. As an added bonus the crystal is hollow terminated on all ends and damage free with a great lustre.
B-217 Brazilianite on Microcline $65 Telírio claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil 5.2 x 3.4 x 1.2 cm. Here we have a translucent crystal of Microcline draped with many very gemmy crystals of Brazilianite. There have been a lot of Brazilianite specimens available the last 10-12 years but you don't see that many on matrix. Especially ones that look as good as this one.
F-243 Microcline & Muscovite $60 Tawara, Hirukawa, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan 5.6 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm A well-formed, columnar, Baveno-twinned Feldspar crystal with a modified termination. This crystal features a jacket of finely crystallized Muscovite and is accented by a second, smaller crystal hitchhiking on its side.
L-037 Lepidolite $50 Golconda Pegmatite, Golconda District, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil 5.8 x 5.6 x 4 cm. Once abundant, examples of "ball" Lepidolite are not often seen these days. This colorful Lepidolite specimen features a myriad of shell-like layers that exhibit a metallic sheen. This mound of "ball" Lepidolite is from a find made in the 1970's.
S-139 Siderite on Albite $30 Conselheiro Pena Pegmatite District, Minas Gerais, Brazil 3 x 2.4 x 2.2 cm. One mineral that you don't often see from Brazil's pegmatites is Siderite. It just isn't that common. This specimen features a complete all-around, damage free 2.5 cm. crystal of Siderite with crazy form. Normally I would have cleaned this specimen, but was reluctant to do so just in case the ochre colored mineral on the Siderite was something special.
E-027 Epidote $65 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.
E-028 Epidote $65 San Quintin, Municipio de Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico 7.4 x 3.3 x 3.2 cm. A rare and significant specimen from this less well-known Mexican skarn deposit, south of the resort town of Ensenada in Baja, California. A dramatic spray of deep-green Epidote crystals with a superior lustre. The terminations of the crystals are complete. A great addition to one's mineral collection.
E-029 Epidote $55 Ojos Negros, Municipio de Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico 5.5 x 4 x 2.3 cm. A singular Epidote specimen from the Ensenada region of Baja, California. The label accompanying the specimen gave it a location of Ojos Negros, a small town in the Baja wine country east of Ensenada. This specimen consists of a bundle of lustrous, deep-green Epidote crystals with a good lustre. The terminations of the crystals are complete. A great addition to one's mineral collection.
B-040 Brazilianite with Albite $120 Corrego Frio Mine, Linopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil 3.3 x 2.5 x 1.7 cm. A very lustrous and partially transparent crystal from the find made in the late 1990's. Examples of this material are not so easy to find these days.
M-056 Microlite on Albite $75 Ipê Mine, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil 5.2 x 3 x 1.3 cm. This specimen features a myriad of crystals of the rare oxide Microlite encrusting a matrix of Albite. This specimen of sparkling, orangish Microlite crystals is considered to be rich for the species. The Ipê pegmatite is well known for its production of Microlite group minerals and others containing Niobium, Tantalum, and Beryllium.
Q-431 Quartz with Indicolite Tourmaline $50 Jenipapo District, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil 7.4 x 3.3 x 3 cm. When I examine this specimen I have a hard time figuring out where the Quartz ends and the Tourmaline begins. Is this a Tourmaline specimen or a Quartz specimen? I've handled my share of these Indicolite included Quartz crystals over the years but have not seen one quite like this before. This singular specimen is heavily included to the point that it is draped with a cascade of minute Indicolite crystals. You will either find this piece ugly or you will embrace its weirdness, like I did when I bought it.
AH-054
Eudidymite with Aegerine on Albite $50 Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada 6 x 6 x 3 cm. This three-dimensional specimen features a pair of Albite crystals crowned with sprays of needle-like Aegerine crystals in which numerous translucent, white flower-like clusters of the rare mineral Eudidymite burst forth. It is not common to find specimens that are so richly covered with Eudidymite as this one is.
AH-056 Elpidite, Aegerine & Rhodochrosite with Albite $75 Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada 10.1 x 8.2 x 5.3 cm. This decidedly different specimen is carpeted with sparkling, light-green tufts of the mineral Aegerine atop a base of Albite. Protruding from the needle-like Aegerine are green-gray crystals of the mineral Elpidite measuring up to 1.9 centimeters in size. Accenting this specimen near the top is a 1 x 1 centimeter cluster of deep red Rhodochrosite crystals.
T-152 Topaz with Schorl $100 Erongo Mountain, Erongo Region, Namibia 4 x 2.5 x 2.3 cm. When one thinks of Erongo, the first thing that comes to mind are the plethora of Aquamarines and world class Fluorite specimens that this modern-day classic mineral location has produced. Erongo Mountain, over the years has produced some great Topaz as well. This Topaz shows just a slight blush of blue when viewed down the c-axis of the crystal, especially from the bottom. The terminal faces of this Topaz crystal are covered with dozens of needle-like Schorl crystals. While there are several corners on the bottom of the crystal that have some dings, the largest one appears to have happened in situ as its surface exhibits several small growth hillocks suggestive of regrowth.
H-018 Hydroxylherderite & Muscovite $200 Barra do Salinas, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil 3.2 x 2.6 x 1.5 cm. To my knowledge I believe that these crystals are the first purple Hydroxylherderite specimens to come from Brazil in many years. Previously, all I have seen were the crystals found in the mid 1970's that appear from time to time as they are recycled from one collection to another. I purchased these from a dealer who bought the whole find, which amounted to less than 3 dozen crystals. I think these crystals would make a fine addition to any pegmatite collector's mineral cabinet.
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© 2003 - 2019 Cal Neva Mineral Company Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing |
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