|
Fine Mineral Specimens - Archives
|
| As a resource for our customers, we've assembled fine mineral specimens that have been sold from our website. If you see a specimen you really enjoy, send us an email, and we'll work hard to find a similar one for you. |
|
|
Uvite on Quartz - SOLD
Brumado mine, Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
8.0 x 5.5 x 5.0 cm
- ex Irv Brown Collection
MMS-107 - A deep burgundy red uvite crystal pierces the pristine, clear 66mm quartz crystal in this dramatic piece. The main uvite crystal is twinned and doubly-terminated (24x14x13mm) showing unusual translucency. Several other fully or partially included red uvite crystals remain locked within their quartz chambers. |
Move the cursor over the photo to change background
Click here for larger view |
|
Calcite - SOLD
Leiping, Guiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China
7.5 x 6.9 x 5.2 cm
MMS-101 - A geometric wonder, this doubly-terminated, transparent calcite crystal (35mm on edge) shows all three corners complete and exposed on a lightly hematite-included calcite matrix. A very limited number of these calcites came to market a few years ago and quickly found their way to private collections. |
| |
|
Fluorite - SOLD
Weardale, County Durham, England
9.0 x 5.0 x 5.7 cm
- ex Smithsonian, - ex Mann Collection
MMS-134 - This classic English fluorite is crowned with a grape purple interpenetration twin showing distinct phantoms and pyrite inclusions that catch the light with a glitter. A lustrous cluster of slightly paler fluorites only serves to emphasize the main attraction. Few old pieces of this quality ever make it to market. |
| |
|
Tourmaline var. Elbaite - SOLD
Pech, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9 cm
MMS-120 - A choice miniature with three lustrous tourmaline crystals on a white feldspar matrix. Notice the two distinct habits and color patterns: the pink tourmalines show a classic trigonal shape and flat basal termination. The parti-colored crystal is completely different with a pinacoidal, six-faceted termination, plus a unique pink section on one terminal face. |
| |
|
Brazilianite - SOLD
Corrego Frio, Linopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
6.0 x 5.4 x 4.0 cm
MMS-204 - This brazilianite crystal with gemmy tip is from the original material recovered by Ed Swoboda and identified as a new mineral by Fred Pough in the 1940's. The specimen shows the characteristic high luster, yellowish green color, and gemminess that made this find famous. Almost impossible to find on the market today.
|
| |
|
Silver with Calcite - SOLD
Branndorf, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
7.1 x 4.7 x 2.0 cm
- ex Mann Collection
MMS-127 - This twirling growth of native silver with calcite intertwining in the wires comes with an antique German label from Krantz & Co. of Berlin. Natural wire silvers from Freiberg are scarce since the majority of specimens were melted down to mint coin during active mining spanning from the 12th to early 20th century. |
| |
|
|
Benitoite - SOLD
Dallas Gem mine, San Benito County, California
4.3 x 3.9 x 2.8 cm
MMS-131 - A sapphire-blue, gemmy benitoite crystal (20x20x12mm) dominates this specimen, with several additional crystals lying on snow-white natrolite. Found in quality only from one location (and near an asbestos mine at that) benitoite specimens are great investments. Beautiful gemstones with fire approaching that of the diamond are cut from gem rough, making a superb rough & cut pair. |
| |
|
|
Cobaltoan-Calcite - SOLD
Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga, Congo (Zaïre)
7.9 x 4.7 x 5.7 cm
- ex Jean-Marie Pendeville Collection
MMS-152 - Showing much more relief than is visible in the photo, this specimen is covered by hot pink cobaltoan-calcite rosettes with lustrous, translucent blades. A fibrous malachite ball adds a contrasting color and texture. Nice!
|
| |
|
|
Apatite on Quartz - SOLD
Mawi, Nuristan, Laghman Prov., Afghanistan
4.1 x 3.1 x 3.3 cm
MMS-141 - Rich purple apatite crystals on a contrasting quartz matrix make this an exceptional miniature. Other than Pulsifer, Maine, this is the only locality producing purple apatites, the most highly desired color for the species. One crystal has a minor contact. |
Move the cursor over the photo to change angle Click here to view a larger image |
|
| |
|
|
Gold on Quartz - SOLD
Eagle's Nest Mine, Placer Co., California
4.9 x 2.7 x 2.6 cm
MMS-123 - A dragon hatching from an egg. This brilliant hoppered gold specimen required no acid leaching to remove the quartz. Pocket golds, not forming in quartz veins but in open cavities, are exceedingly rare. Combining sharp crystals with mirror-like luster and good presentation, this is quite a gold miniature. |
| |
|
Quartz var. Amethyst with Calcite - SOLD
Tonglushan, Daye Co., Hubei Prov., China
6.4 x 5.7 x 5.1 cm
MMS-121 - With its superb form and associated pink-tinged calcite crystals, this piece is among the six finest of roughly 20 known amethyst specimens showing Japan Law twinning. It's certainly not uncommon to find quartz specimens showing this twinning law, but for reasons not well understood the amethyst variety all but shuns this form. |
| |
|
|
Calcite on Stibnite - SOLD
Xionghuang Kuang, Nandan, Hechi Pref., Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
9.7 x 7.7 x 6.3 cm
MMS-112 - Several striated, white-wine colored calcite crystals rest on a matrix of short stibnite crystals, some of which are included in the calcite. In 2004, the discovery of a pocket of these calcites caused quite a stir. There were a limited number of pieces preserved on matrix. |
| |
|
|
Rhodochrosite with Quartz & Tetrahedrite - SOLD
Sweet Home Mine, Pincushion II pocket, Alma, Colorado
9.6 x 6.2 x 4.2 cm
MMS-119 - From the aptly named Pincushion II pocket, this specimen displays sharp, undamaged rhombs of rhodochrosite with good transparency on a contrasting matrix of quartz needles and tetrahedrite. Since the mine closed several years ago, prices for rhodochrosite specimens have risen appreciably and are expected to rise well into the future. |
| |
|
Gold - SOLD
Eagle's Nest Mine, Placer Co., California
6.3 x 4.8 x 0.7 cm
MMB-509 - The most noble of metals, this intricate branch of arborescent, high purity gold spent ages in the earth and yet emerged untouched by the stain of oxidation. Comprised of a network of intricate crystals. |
| |
|
|
