Beryl var. Heliodor - SOLD
Karelia Beryl Mine, Kannatsalo, Finland
5.4 x 5.2 x 3.7 cm

MMS-191 - Curving, swooping etch patterns interplay with geometric lines in this gem heliodor crystal that simply glows with color. A "floater" crystal, the bottom of the piece is etched, not broken. Found in the spring of 2003, this specimen has substantial gem value, though it is a joy to hold and admire in its natural form. Heliodor means "gift from the sun." Own one today!

Fluorite - SOLD
Minerva #1 Mine, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
8.0 x 6.5 x 4.0 cm

MMB-794 - This large, REHEALED fluorite crystal shows at least ten distinct phantoms and is color-zoned with an attractive blue and purple combination. Several pale yellow calcite crystals formed on the surface of the fluorite. Note again that this piece does not show any flat cleavage planes since the fracture occured in the earth and new fluids began the crystalization process afresh.

Apatite - SOLD
Panasqueira, Castelo Branco Dist., Portugal
7.4 x 6.7 x 3.5 cm

MMB-784 - A superb pair of glassy, striated apatite crystals (to 3.0 cm) with good transparency is outlined by a layer of sphalerite against a contrasting white matrix. The color-zoned apatite crystals are predominantly bluish-green though the hue does change with the lighting.

– custom lucite base

Siderite on Quartz - SOLD
Nikolaevskiy Mine, Dal'negorsk, Russia
6.5 x 3.4 x 2.4 cm

MMB-787 - Orange siderite balls cling to twin quartz spires coated with a second generation of mineralization. The overall arrangement of the piece is quite aesthetic and yet very affordable. The piece is complete from any angle.

Barite - SOLD
Huánuco Department, Peru
5.8 x 5.5 x 3.0 cm

MMB-683 - Measuring 3.6 cm across, this group of highly lustrous and transparent golden yellow barite crystals projects from its matrix, showing crystal terminations all around. These Peruvian barites from a recent find are among the most spectacular from anywhere in the world. Displays well from front or back.

Spessartine Garnet with Smoky Quartz - SOLD
Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan
8.5 x 7.5 x 5.2 cm

MMS-244 - Scattered across a well-crystallized feldspar matrix are multiple isolated, burgandy-red spessartine garnet crystals showing top luster. Doubly-terminated smoky quartz prisms make this quite a combination specimen. The piece is almost a complete floater, showing scant evidence of its attachment point on the back left side. A world-class specimen!

Azurite with Malachite - SOLD
Tongshan Cu-Au deposit, Anhui Province, China
7.5 x 6.7 x 6.1 cm

MMS-196 - Surely ranking among the finest of Chinese azurites, this specimen features crystals to 3 cm showing a surprisingly vibrant blue color and sharp form. Most azurites from China are druses, and occasionally one finds a crystal to 2 cm...but 3 cm...outstanding! The piece is very three-dimensional and in top condition.

Wulfenite - SOLD
Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico
9.0 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm

MMB-626 - A rich array of caramel colored wulfenite crystals with "wet" luster and pristine edges runs from top to bottom of this specimen from Los Lamentos. The largest of the crystals, perched at the top, measures 3.3 cm tall and is 1.0 cm thick. Each crystal shows the "sandwich" zoning with gemmy, deeper orange middles between thin less translucent layers. These specimens are true classics!

— custom lucite base

Titanite on Albite - SOLD
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
4.6 x 3.6 x 3.1 cm

MMG-1007 - Boasting top color for the species, gemmy, twinned crystals of titanite rest on an albite matrix in this world-class miniature. Titanite specimens from Italy are very rarely offered for sale at any time. This particular piece is pictured in the 2nd edition of the Encyclopedia of Minerals by Roberts, Rapp, et al.

Quartz var. Citrine - SOLD
Siberia, Russia
14.6 x 8.6 x 8.5 cm

MMB-680 - This splendid grouping of quartz prisms shows a pleasing yellow color – natural color, mind you – combined with great aesthetics and transparency. Citrine quartz specimens from any locality are very rare to begin with, let alone from Russia and with this quality and size.

— custom lucite base

Acanthite coated by Chalcopyrite - SOLD
Valenciana Mine, Guanajuato, Mexico
4.0 x 2.5 x 2.4 cm

MMB-681 - Sharp, lustrous crystals of acanthite to 1.8 cm are partially coated by chalcopyrite, giving the specimen a very attractive peacock coloration. Several of the crystals have a slightly hoppered appearance. Attractive from any angle, this is an outstanding example of a silver mineral from the famous deposits of Guanajuato, Mexico. Specimens featured in Connoisseur's Corner, such as this piece, are rarely offered for sale.

Calcite on Dolomite - SOLD
La Florida Mine, Torrelavega, Spain
7.5 x 6.5 x 6.6 cm

MMB-682 - Resting on a matrix of dolomite, a jewel of a calcite crystal shows why specimens from La Florida Mine are sought after by calcite collectors and collectors of world-wide minerals alike. Lustrous and lightly striated, the 4.4 cm main crystal is also quite transparent. Scattered across the pink dolomite, smaller calcite crystals with an elongated form accentuate the main crystal.

Beryl var. Emerald - SOLD
Peña Blanca Mine, Boyacá Dept., Colombia
7.8 x 4.7 x 5.0 cm

MMG-1003 - A pair of lustrous, gemmy emerald crystals (to 3.7 cm) contrasts nicely with its crystalized calcite matrix. No damage detracts from the appearance of the vibrant, "glowing" green emerald crystals (contacted on the lower portion).

Fluorite on Smoky Quartz - SOLD
Mt. Blanc Massif, Chamonix, France
7.9 x 5.6 4.0 cm

MMS-242 - Four rose-pink octahedral fluorite crystals perch on the termination of a smoky quartz floater crystal – the back of the quartz is wonderfully unique with a whole miniature mountain range of quartz points reflecting light back at the viewer. The transparency of the fluorite and the quartz has not been captured in the photo. Found by intrepid strahlers in clefts on the side of high Alpine peaks, pink fluorite is very rare and treasured by collectors.

Apatite with Arsenopyrite - SOLD
Panasqueira, Castelo Branco Dist., Portugal
4.2 x 2.8 x 2.7 cm

MMS-243 - This exquisite miniature features a pristine, lustrous blue apatite crystal that formed upon crystals of arsenopyrite. The apatite is highly transparent, revealing the arsenopyrite that extends into the crystal. Perched as it is on the matrix, all eight sides of the apatite crystal are visible.

Dioptase with Shattuckite - SOLD
Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia
4.8 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm

MMB-676 - Rich, emerald green dioptase crystals (to 1 cm) completely fill a small vug along with velvet spheres of shattuckite, radial sprays of malachite, and plancheite in this miniature specimen from Kaokoveld.

Beryl var. Aquamarine - SOLD
Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan
6.7 x 2.9 x 2.0 cm

MMS-230 - Water-clear and pristine, this aquamarine crystal looks like the creation of some master architect. The bevelled edges and complex termination are beautiful, but the real wonder of the piece comes from the twisted look of the crystal. A bit of albite matrix is attached. The piece is undamaged with very minor contacting next to the existing matrix. A true natural sculpture the like of which we have not seen in our 25 years of working with fine minerals.

Adamite on Goethite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Lvl 4, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
14.1 x 11.3 x 10.2 cm
—ex Smithsonian

MMS-283 - Large, yellow-green balls of adamite (to 6.6 cm wide) fill a goethite-lined limonite vug in this substantial piece from Level 4 of the world-famous Ojuela Mine. The specimen is completely undamaged. In front of the large balls, hemispheres of adamite display the radial crystallization which forms the spheres.

Brookite on Quartz - SOLD
Taftan, Chagai Dist., Baluchistan, Pakistan
7.0 x 4.3 x 3.0 cm

MMS-264 - A perfect mahogany-colored brookite crystal (2.6 cm) juts out from within a cluster of pristine and lustrous quartz crystals. The piece has a quality to it that is difficult to convey in pictures (or words) but must be seen to fully appreciate. A world-class brookite specimen!

Azurite with Malachite - SOLD
Bisbee, Warren Dist., Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
8.3 x 6.5 x 3.1 cm

MMS-241 - With wet luster and a vibrant blue color, a cluster of sharp azurite crystals sits on top of a goethite matrix covered with circular malachite balls and secondary azurite crystals. Bisbee azurites are famous the world over, and this specimen would make a prized addition to any Bisbee suite or worldwide collection.