Corundum var. Sapphire #SPH0004 Jacobs Ruby Mine, Cowee Valley, Macon Co., North Carolina, USA 9.5 mm x 7.5 mm x 4.3 mm (3.20 carats) $45 Order this Specimen
Description:	This is a neat little sapphire crystal of a yellowish color, very translucent to transparent when held to the light.  The Jacobs Mine is famous for great sapphires and rubies, although it is difficult to find any of these on the market.

Beryl var. Aquamarine #AQU0012 Centerville District, Boise Co., Idaho, USA 22.0 mm x 7.5 mm x 5.1 mm (8.8 carats) $365 RESERVED Order this Specimen
Description:	It's hard to believe that this is not a Pakistani or Nigerian aquamarine, with its sharp form and amazing termination.  Idaho aquamarines are more commonly etched and/or terminated with a flat pinacoid like the others in this update.  But rarely they have been found with this bullet-shaped termination (there are some good photo examples of this on Mindat).  This crystal is a sight to behold, truly amazing gemminess and strong, uniform icy blue color, and if you look closely you can see what looks like a phantom inside the crystal.  Outstanding!

Spodumene var. Hiddenite #HDN0002 North American Emerald Mine (fmr. Rist Mine), Hiddenite, Alexander Co., North Carolina, USA 16.0 x 6.0 x 5.0mm (2.75 cts) $150 Order this Specimen
Description:	An American classic, this is a perfectly formed, etched, complete all-around crystal of hiddenite from the ONLY locale for true hiddenite as far as I am concerned.  This is the real stuff, it was not heated, not irradiated, not dyed in anyway, and it will not fade in sunlight.  This is because it is colored by the same chromium that makes emeralds green.  This is a fine crystal, the color in person is much more apple green.  The camera made it look a bit more army green, which is not the case.  A great crystal for the price.

Beryl var. Emerald w/ Rutile #EMR0005 Adam's Hiddenite and Emerald Mine, Alexander Co., North Carolina, USA 14.6 x 12.1 x 9.3 mm (13.50 cts) $695 Order this Specimen
Description:	Why am I selling this?  I should leave this one to my kids in my will!  Hurry and get it before I change my mind.  Without question, this is one of the most unique crystals I have offered on my site to date.  It is from a collection that was assembled in the 1960s, and subsequently it was found well before the new batch of emeralds came out of the North American Emerald Mine.  The old label says Adams Mine (a.k.a. Adams Property, Adams Farm), and there is no reason to doubt this.  The color and clarity are superb, and there are reddish to yellowish needles of rutile in and on the crystal, and a deeper green zoned termination -- both qualities which help identify this crystal as a North Carolina specimen rather than a Colombian one.  The color reminds me of the blue-green shades you see from the Chivor Mine.  The crystal has some prism faces longer than others as you can see, and a portion of the termination shows old damage, but the gemminess and color make up for it.  This is a rare crystal, and while there are newer or bigger ones out there for four- and five-figure prices that come from the NAEM, this is an affordable, historic specimen from a classic location.

Chambersite #CHB0002 Venice Salt dome, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, USA 4.5 mm x 4.7 mm x 4.6 mm (0.25 cts) $55 SOLD
Description:	From the bayou locale, not the rodeo locale, this is a supeb, sharp, purple crystal of chambersite with smaller micro-crystals emanating from some of the main faces.  A great tetrahedral shape, transparent, and gemmy, this could be in a "rare species" update, but it fits into the theme of classic American locales ... sort of.  A cute specimen, and if you want one that won't break the bank, here it is.  Be sure to check out this crystal's "big brother" from Texas down the page!

Beryl var. Aquamarine #AQU0009 Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co., Colorado, USA 35.0 x 8.5 x 8.5 mm (22.75 cts) $495 Order this Specimen
Description:	From the highest gem source in the USA at over 14,000 feet above sea level, I present to you this fine, gemmy, deep blue to on the verge of purple almost, sharp, prismatic crystal of aquamarine.  Mt. Antero produces aquamarine crystals of varying habits.  Some are glassy and gemmy with flat pinacoidal terminations (like this one).  Some are more etched and have frosted terminations (like the crystal down the page).  Some are pale blue to colorless, and rarely do you see this deep intense blue as in this crystal.  This crystal actually has a zone near the termination where the color abruptly changes to near colorless.  The termination is flat a sharp, with a concoidal fracture that is not too detracting, and the crystal displays great!  A very rare crystal from this much sought after locale.

Corundum var. Ruby #RUB0004 Jacobs Ruby Mine, Cowee Valley, Macon Co., North Carolina, USA 7.0 x 5.3 x 2.4mm (1.15 cts) $85 SOLD