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Fine Mineral Specimens - Archives
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Cuprosklodowskite - SOLD
Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga (Shaba) Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
9.0 x 8.3 x 4.7 cm
MMS-157 - Neon green, radial sprays of transparent to translucent cuprosklodowskite crystals line both sides of a uraninite vug with dark blue-green fibrous crystals of vandenbrandeite intermixed. Around the edges of the vug, pseudomorphed uranophane crystals add a third rare mineral. Not yet identified, a bright yellow powdery substance is layered on one side of the specimen. |
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Rhodochrosite on Manganite - SOLD
Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Prov., Lima Dept., Peru
6.7 x 5.6 x 5.2 cm
MMS-153 - A richly mineralized vug lined with manganite provides a dark backdrop highlighting ruby red, scalenohedral rhodochrosite crystals up to 26x10mm. Terminated quartz crystals and a sharp-edged barite add contrast and variety in addition to the several colorless fluorite crystals found deep in the crease. |
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Boleite on Matrix - SOLD
Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalía, Boleó District, Mexico
7.1 x 6.6 x 6.1 cm
- ex Al Ordway, Ed Swoboda Collections
MMS-172 - Six royal blue boleite cubes, the largest measuring 9.5mm, rest on matrix. Though technically accessible, the mine is highly dangerous, meaning few specimens of any quality come to market. This specimen is among those collected in the 1970's by Bill Larson and Ed Swoboda. |
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Sphalerite with Quartz - SOLD
Quian Xin Mine, Ruchen, Hunan Prov., China
7.0 x 5.9 x 4.8 cm
- ex Irv Brown Collection
MMS-169 - Unusually large, intergrown sphalerite crystals are juxtaposed with quartz prisms and needles. Several faces of the sphalerite show a rare iridescence, and the color of the crystals is even redder than is visible in the photo. A number of the smaller crystals show a jewel-like transparency. A masterpiece from any angle! |
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Galena with Siderite - SOLD
Neudorf, Harz Mtns., Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
9.3 x 7.0 x 4.3 cm
- ex Carl Bosch Collection, - ex Bill Pinch Collection
MMS-175 - Large galena crystals displaying the renowned "Neudorf habit" are arrayed together in an aesthetic cluster, with several siderite crystals on the side and back. These pieces are highly treasured by European collectors and are difficult to find these days. |
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Tourmaline var. Elbaite w/ Lepidolite - SOLD
Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, California
6.3 x 3.4 x 3.6 cm
MMT-329 - This doubly-terminated, pink tourmaline was unearthed from the Himalaya Mine, famous the world over for its gem tourmaline specimens. A complete sidecar crystal and attractive purple lepidolite add accent to the piece. Prisine condition...great luster.
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Calcite on Stibnite - SOLD
Wuming Co., Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
8.8 x 6.7 x 7.3 cm
- ex Steve & Clara Smale Collection
MMS-177 - Twinned crystals of white wine colored calcite perch on a matrix of stibnite needles. In 2004, the discovery of a pocket of these calcites caused quite a stir. There were a limited number of pieces preserved on matrix. |
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Topaz - SOLD
Sa Ka Gyi, Burma (Myanmar)
6.8 x 5.8 x 5.8 cm
MMS-129 - Showing the complex termination characteristic of specimens from Burma, this natural champagne-colored gem hosts a nest of included crystals thought perhaps to be rubellite (visible front left of photo). Almost completely gem--the photo does not do the piece justice. |
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Ettringite - SOLD
Wessels Mine, Hotazel, South Africa
5.3 x 5.2 x 2.9 cm
- ex Charles Key Collection
MMS-182 - A cluster of bright canary yellow ettringite has multiple, columnar crystals that catch the eye with their neon hue and lustrous, striated faces. Contacts on the back and top left do not detract from the impact of this piece. |
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Fluorite with Calcite - SOLD
Minerva #1 Mine, Cave in Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois
12.5 x 8.0 x 5.2 cm
MMB-522 - Calcite scalenohedrons sprout like porcupine quills from a greenish-blue cluster of cubic fluorite crystals. While fluorite crystals from Hardin County are not rare, unusual pieces such as this cabinet specimen will surely attract attention. Though several calcite crystals are missing tips, this does not detract from the impact of the specimen. |
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Dioptase w/ Quartz & Shattuckite - SOLD
Sanda Mine, Mindouli, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
6.3 x 5.1 x 1.5 cm
MMB-530 - This top-quality miniature features quite an assemblage of richly-colored minerals. Dioptase crystals lie on a matrix of quartz points that formed above and are included by rich blue shattuckite. Known as "The Christmas Tree." |
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Copper - SOLD
Houghton County, Michigan
7.1 x 4.8 x 3.7 cm
MMB-529 - This arborescent growth of sharply-crystallized copper with richly-hued patina is one of the most three-dimensional copper specimens we've handled. Truly of competition quality. |
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Garnet var. Spessartine - SOLD
Little 3 Mine, Ramona Dist., San Diego Co., California
4.9 x 3.5 x 3.0 cm
MMB-540 - A sharp, vibrantly colored spessartine crystal (2 cm) nestles among albite with associated schorl. Spessartine garnets from Little 3 are highly sought after by collectors, and it's rare to find a crystal that hasn't been partly etched. Cut stone available. |
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Malachite pseudomorph after Azurite - SOLD
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
6.8 x 6.3 x 3.9 cm
MMS-163 - Displaying the sharp edges of the original azurite crystal and rising to an impressive 8.3 cm, this specimen showcases the velvet-like chatoyant patterns that remind us that oxidation is simply the second movement of a geologic symphony. The back contains several cerussite crystals, one reticulated.
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Calcite - SOLD
Leiping, Guiyang Co., Hunan Prov., China
5.0 x 3.2 x 2.4 cm
MMB-518 - This miniature masterpiece features two exquisite butterfly-twin calcites punctuated by tiny needles covering the matrix. Inside the transparent crystals, multiple layers of hematite trace intricate patterns. Each of the crystals is complete with pyramidal termination. In person, the three-dimensional nature of the piece stands out.
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