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Click the pictures to enlarge them! Enjoy!
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Corundum (Var. Sapphire)
#090220SPH010 Reddestone Creek, Glen Innes, Gough Co., New South Wales, Australia
42.7 x 32.5 x 3.8mm / 54.0 cts
$350
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Description:
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Would you believe that this slice of amazing,
color-banded sapphire came from a crystal that weighed over 400 carats! Now I would believe that if it were from a giant
Sri Lankan sapphire, but you very rarely find something so large from the land down under! The blue-yellow-white color
banding is a dead giveaway of the specimen's origin, just look at the backlite photos! This is not just a lapidary
specimen, it is a very displayable mineral specimen based on its size and history/origin. Even for a slice of a sapphire,
this is a rare find, I doubt you'll find another Queensland sapphire specimen of such size and aesthetics.
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Forsterite (Peridot)
#090220PER003 St. Johns Island (Zagbargad), Red Sea, Egypt
24.3 x 22.0 x 8.6mm / 28.05 cts
$1850
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Description:
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OH BOY! You are looking at one of the largest
Egyptian peridots ever sold on the web! An ex-Herb Obodda specimen, and once owned by Rob Lavinsky as well, this is
a classic in every sense of the word! These Egyptian peridots were mined in practically pre-historic times, and have
been treasured ever since. The island they come from is about 35 miles off the African coast, sitting all alone in the
Red Sea. Crystals like this one, at almost one inch across, are usually in museums causing geology professors to bang
their foreheads on the glass display cases in awe! I never intended to release this crystal from my collection ... but
hey, times are really tough! And now, I will let you fight for the right to take it home!
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Titanite (Var. Chrome Sphene) on Amesite #090220TIT003
Saranovskii Mine, Saranovskaya (Sarany) Village, Middle Urals, Urals Region, Russia
76.1 x 61.1 x 33.8mm
$365
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Description:
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I can't say enough about how attractive this specimen is.
I mean, what a gorgeous color combination, with emerald green chrome sphene crystals on a glimmering bed of purple chrome
amesite, a rare kaolinite-serpentine group silicate (NOT kammererite ... thanks to the anonymous person who corrected
me!). There are actually sphene crystals on both sides of the specimen, with larger more vibrant amesite on one side.
The matrix is very delicate, like is peeled partially into layerst, but careful handling should ensure this specimen will
stand the test of time. Heck, I had it in my cabinet for years, and it withstood several category 4 hurricanes!
Well, the cabinet was not outdoors ... but still, it's held up fine! I strongly urge you to buy this one-of-a-kind
specimen before I decided to keep it, it's almost too cool to sell!
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Tourmaline (Var. Achroite)
#090220ACH001 Himalaya Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA
18.3 x 3.7 x 3.8mm / 2.6 cts
$295
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Description:
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Without a doubt, this is the best true achroite tourmaline I have
ever seen. Achroite is the colorless variety of tourmaline, which I am sure you know is the rarest type! Most
specimens labeled as achroite are in fact multi-colored crystals that have a colorless zone in them. This specimen,
although a single thumbnail-sized crystal, is essentially colorless from end to end. The is a very, and I mean teensy,
hint of green on one end. But the camera can barely pick it up, that's how faint it is. I have no problem
calling this a true achroite, and it is double terminated as well, with a flat pinacoid on one end, and a trigonal pyramid
on the other. And on top that, a California tourmaline! Does it get any better?!
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Grandidierite #090220GRD002 Nampona quarry, Bezavona, Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin) Commune, Anosy Region, Tuléar Province, Madagascar
20.1 x 23.0 x 20.3mm
$195
RESERVED
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Description:
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Grandidierite is a gorgeous teal blue gemmy mineral
that most people have never heard of. If you have ever wanted a specimen of this rare boro-silicate, then I have two
superb examples here. This one show many crystalline faces, with tremendous blue-green color. There is some
minor muscovite that adds a nice contrast, a superb thumbnail!
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Grandidierite
#090220GRD001 Nampona quarry, Bezavona, Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin) Commune, Anosy Region, Tuléar Province, Madagascar
16.2 x 8.5 x 5.9mm / 4.95 cts
$225
RESERVED
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Description:
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If you are more of a gem crystal collector, then
this specimen will surely suit you! Here we have a prismatic compound crystal of teal-blue grandidierite, showing superb
gemminess for the species. This is a rare chance to own such a well-crystallized example of a rare mineral that rarely
forms anything more than massive nodules.
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Chrysoberyl (Var. Alexandrite)
#090220ALX001 Emerald mines, Tokovaya river, Malyshevo, Ekaterinburg, Urals Region, Russia
33.9 x 19.8 x 13.7mm
$185
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Description:
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Well the camera doesn't lie, this chrysoberyl from Russia certainly
changes color! In bright fluorescent light, the alexandrite turns a more emerald green, and in incandescent light it
turns a purple color. The camera doesn't get the colors exactly right and I can never tell why this is ... the green
in person is much deeper, and the purple is a bit deeper purple-gray. But I assure you, the color change is very strong.
There is one main trilling (sixling) crystal shaped like a hexagonal stop sign, with some smaller partial alexandrite crystals,
all embedded in a schist matrix. Very nice example of this sought after species, from a classic locale.
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Sapo Mine, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
15.0 x 6.8 x 6.8mm / 6.75 cts
SOLD
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Description:
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Well look at this pretty little fella! From
the Sapo mine, made famous by this find of elbaites that exibit a literal spectrum of colors. Almost in the exact order
of the rainbow, you have an indigo blue cap that transitions down into blueish green, yellow, orange, and pinkish-red.
These specimens are beautiful in any size, and this thumbnail is no exception!
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Hilltop Mine, Cochise County, Arizona, USA
61.9 x 44.9 x 21.1mm
$675
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Description:
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The Hilltop Mine in Cochise County may very well
be the most sought after locale for any American wulfenite! And it's easy to see why! This specimen is a classic
Hilltop "wulfie" with thick tabular, mustard yellow rounded blades to 9mm, covering the entire display face.
There is trivial damage to some crystals, and for a Hilltop specimen, this is pretty acceptable. They say that some
specimens were found by excavating the stones out of the walls of the old outhouses (a.k.a., crappers), since the "holes"
were stabilized using rubble from the mine. I can assure you that, although some decent specimens were found "under"
the outhouses, this specimen is a very rich example that was surely plucked directly from the mine. It comes with an
old Schortmann's mineral labels to prove its worth!
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Andradite (Var. Iridescent)
#090220ADR002 Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan
12.8 x 10.8 x 8.3mm / 9.5 cts
$95
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Description:
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These iridescent garnets are a true sight to behold,
and are much better appreciated in person. When you hold them in your hand, and roll them around, the play of light
is just incredible! Most specimens from this find are not as well-crystallized, but here we have two dodecahedrons that
have "halos" along the planes where the crystal faces meet, creating the illusion of secondary faces. I specifically
chose this specimen and the one below from several dozen that I saw, based on this unique form. The color-play is much
more noticeable in person!
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Andradite (Var. Iridescent)
#090220ADR003 Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan
10.7 x 9.6 x 6.1mm / 5.95 cts
$75 SOLD
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Description:
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Unlike the specimen above, this cluster actually has genuine secondary
crystal faces on some of the andradite crystals, a very rare habit for the find. And you can see the rainbow of colors
exhibited by crystals. Up close, you can almost peer inside the top layers of the crystals. This is a beautiful
thumbnail from a rare find of iridescent garnets, don't pass up the chance to bring it home!
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Diamond in Kimberlite #090220DIA001 Kimberly, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
45.2 x 49.9 x 36.1mm
$625
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Description:
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Holy eggbeaters, Batman! That is one my
favorite Robin quotes from the ever popular TV series. But that's how I would describe a South African diamond crystal
in kimberlite matrix. Now I wish I could say that it was not repaired, but I am fairly certain that the diamond has
been reattached to its original resting spot. It is quite evident that someone saw this diamond poking through the matrix
and got very eager to "dig it out", as there is a large triangular groove in the matrix. I am guessing that
is why the diamond got knocked out. But even the diamond crystal by itself would be a nice specimen, a complex 6-mm
octahedron with great clarity. And it sits aesthetically on its host rock, which happens to be perfectly shaped for
displayability without the need for a stand. This is from my personal collection, and it almost never reached my house
after I ordered it (my neighbor found the box lying in the street after it had falled from my mailbox!). Boy am I glad
she found it!
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Beryl (Var. Emerald)
#090220EMR005 Byrud Emerald Mine, Akershus, Norway
50.8 x 32.9 x 19.6mm
$45
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Description:
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Now this may not be the prettiest emerald, but
it sure does come from a neat locale in Norway! I wish it were better crystallized, but as it is, we have a great reference
sample from an unusual locale. For a beryl collector, I would urge you not to pass up the chance to own a Norwegian
emerald!
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Apophyllite-(KF) #090220APH002 Ahmadnagar District, Maharashtra, India
40.7 x 44.8 x 27.9mm
$45
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Description:
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Apophyllite from the famous "well pocket"
in India! Hmm, when I was kid, my friends and I tried to dig a well, and never found anything this cool (all we found
was a bunch of old gold pirate coins, big deal ... just kidding!). But to get back to the subject, this is a very aesthetic,
affordable specimen from that famous find, consisting of a partial sphere of radiating rectangular crystals, which have a
deep green core that fades to colorless as the crysals radiate outward. If you still don't have one of these cool
"a-pops" in your collection, then this one or the one below would be right up your alley!
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Apophyllite-(KF)
#090220APH001 Ahmadnagar District, Maharashtra, India
70.0 x 49.7 x 45.6mm
SOLD
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Description:
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If you want a "well pocket" apophyllite
on matrix with great shape, color, and size, and you don't want to break the bank, then this one is for you! When
these first came out, a specimen like this would have fetched about $500 easily. Even today, this gorgeous sphere of
radiating green to colorless crystals is a real steal! Just look at the pictures! I rest my case.
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Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
40.3 x 28.8 x 11.2mm
$495
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Description:
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I am at a loss for words! OK, I will try
my best to use words to describe how amazing this cobaltite specimen is. The entire specimen is one crystallized mass,
showing intergrown silver pyritohedrons all over. On one side, there is a little brown iron staining, but one cannot
help but be captivated by the sharp, rich crystal form of the specimen. Most Canadian cobaltites consist of single crystals
in matrix. Here we have just a crystalline cluster, without matrix! One rarely finds a cobaltite of such quality
and aesthetics!
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Pasto Bueno District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department, Peru
72.4 x 34.3 x 35.6mm
$395
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Description:
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This hubnerite specimen is amazing, a very attractive
small cabinet specimen! There is a burgundy red terminated cluster of parallel hubnerite crystals perched
in a matrix of sharp, slender quartz crystals, coated with a newer generation of tiny quartz needles, with some wider stubby
quartz crystals that appear to be an older generation. The hubnerite shows splendid luster and translucency, a really
nice display specimen!
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Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo
27.2 x 30.8 x 21.5mm
$125
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Description:
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I got this toenail specimen many years ago from
Keith Hayes. After bugging him for weeks to find me a nice Congo cuprite, he sent me this beauty! Large modified
octahedrons of deep red cuprite crystals in parallel growth are sparsely coated with forest green malachite, providing a nice
contrast. The specimen has superb shape and crystal size (crystal to 19.7-mm), and would make a great addition to a
Congo collection or copper mineral suite.
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Grossular (Var. Chromian) #090220GSU001 Jeffrey Quarry, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada
50.6 x 33.4 x 14.3mm
$75
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Description:
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This Jeffrey specimen has gorgeous apple green docahedrons of chrome
grossular to 3-mm, with small needles of diopside on the backside. A classic specimen from this locale more famous for
its vesuvianite and orange grossular!
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Kent Massif, Qaraghandy Oblysy (Karaganda Oblast'), Kazakhstan
40.7 x 33.9 x 18.6mm
$145
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Description:
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It ain't much to look at, but you can
clearly see the rare blue scandium analogue of beryl, better known as bazzite, embedded in the brownish matrix of this specimen.
The bazzite is basically massive, but this is actually a fairly rich specimen for the species. Bazzite has been found
in decent crystal in Norway, and in microcrystals from Baveno, Italy. The Kent Massif is probably the second-best locale
for bazzite in terms of richness, as crystals from this locale are pretty much unheard of. If you have had this mineral
on your want list, then look no further!
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Hunza Valley, Gilgit District, Northern Areas, Pakistan 37.9 x 29.2 x 26.3mm
$295
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Description:
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This is a very aesthetic miniature specimen of
blue spinel from a classic locale. Unlike the red spinels from Burma that typically form as lone crystals on matrix,
these Pakistani pieces often have several blue crystals growing in proximity to each other. This is a very fine example,
with two sharp, deep blue octahedral crystals embedded side-by-side in a nicely trimmed contrasting white marble matrix.
The is also another crystal on the backside. Very good quality blue spinel specimen!
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Pico das Almas River, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil
14.0 x 14.5 x 4.3mm / 7.1 cts
$45
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Description:
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Bahianite is one of the hardest minerals known
(hardness of 9), but it's not much to look at! This locale in Brazil produces these alluvial "pebbles"
of this rare antimony mineral. This nugget-like specimen shows yellow translucency when backlit. It's only
the second bahianite I've owned, and I kept it for awhile for its humble uniqueness, because it has a line down the middle
almost like two crystal masses grew together at one time to form this specimen. If you like rare stuff, or Brazilian
stuff ... or both ... then here is your chance to own a sample of this hard-to-find species!
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Manitou District, El Paso County, Colorado
30.5 x 25.4 x 18.8mm
$195 SOLD
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Description:
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From a very old and important American find, this is an ultra-rare Colorado
bastnasite specimen! It is a large, crude crystal showing some crystallized faces, with deep gemmy reddish brown patches
in some areas. This crystal was once in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, and from there went
to Larry Conklin. Old labels are included! If you are a Colorado collector or rare species collector, don't
even think twice, and grab this baby while it's still available!
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Wagholi, Pune District (Poonah District), Maharashtra, India
47.3 x 26.8 x 31.4mm
$145
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Description:
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A mineral dimorph of cavansite, pentagonite is way rarer, and forms
much more interesting crystals if you ask me. Instead of the typical blue, spherical clusters you see with cavansite,
pentagonite often forms long, slender crystals, or stalactic clusters rather than spheres. And in the case where you
have spherical clusters of pentagonite, the length of the crystals within the same clusters tend to vary greatly, where in
cavansite, the clusters remain more rounded. In this specimen you have elongated blue clusters on a matrix coated with
tiny stilbite crystals, you have spheres with some crystal "spiking" out, and there is one crystal that juts out
like a needle from one cluster, and this crystal is over 15-mm long! This is a very good specimen for the species.
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Kolonne, Sri Lanka
64.9 x 63.0 x 43.2mm
$185
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Description:
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Sri Lanka is probably my favorite mineral locality.
It is an island ... an island that is richer in gem minerals than nearly any other in the world! And when you think
of zircon from Sri Lanka, you mainly think of slender, brown, DT crystals. But here is a HUGE, fat, brown to greenish
metamict crystal unlike any other I have seen from there! The crystal is mostly opaque, but does show transparency at
the edges. It looks like several parallel crystals grew together to form this whopper of a mineral specimen! If
you like Sri Lankan minerals, or just collect gem species, then this one is a sight to behold!
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