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Fine Mineral Specimens - Archives
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Liroconite - SOLD
Wheal Gorland, Gwennap area, Cornwall, England, UK
1.1 x 0.8 x 0.4 cm
—Ex Russell P. McFall Collection
MMB-574 - This extremely large, sharp-edged liroconite crystal is highly unusual for its size and quality. The few top-quality specimens known were all mined in the mid-1800's from Wheal Gorland in Cornwall, England. This connoisseur-level thumbnail specimen was formerly owned by well-known collector and author Russell P. McFall.
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Epidote with Orthoclase - SOLD
Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Skardu, Baltistan, Pakistan
5.1 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm
MMB-570 - A fine arrangement of pristine epidote crystals rises from a matrix of epidote and orthoclase (var. adularia) in this miniature from Alchuri. The largest of the gemmy crystals measures 3.8 cm and is a olive-brown color.
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Tourmaline var. Rubellite - SOLD
Jonas Mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
3.2 x 2.4 x 1.8 cm
MMB-569 - This cluster of three rubellite crystals from the world-famous Jonas Mine in Brazil displays a totally gemmy middle crystal that really catches the eye. The crystals are lustrous and striated, without damage. The largest crystal has lepidolite near the termination along with secondary tourmaline growth. A fine thumbnail!
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Muscovite - SOLD
Xanda Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil
7.5 x 7.6 x 4.5 cm
MMB-567 - Occasionally, common minerals such as muscovite transcend the ordinary and become natural sculpture. This cluster of pseudohexagonal muscovite crystals would be welcome alongside any of its more expensive cousins on the display shelf.The largest of the "books" measures 4.5 cm and is 1.0 cm thick.
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Benitoite - SOLD
Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito Co., California
6.3 x 4.1 x 2.5 cm
MMS-209 - Several well-formed benitoite crystals with gemmy tips rest on contrasting white natrolite matrix. Since mining ceased several years ago, prices for benitoite specimens have risen appreciably. Specimens of this quality are found no where else in the world.
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Stibnite on Calcite - SOLD
Lushi, Lushi Co., Henan Province, China
5.1 x 4.2 x 3.4 cm
MMB-560 - Well-formed, colorless calcite crystals host lustrous intersecting stibnite crystals in this fine miniature from China. The main crystals are in pristine condition, and the specimen displays well from multiple angles.
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Silver - SOLD
Lingqiu Co., Datong Prefecture, Shanxi Province, China
11.2 x 2.3 x 1.9 cm
MMB-562 - A curl of incense rising to the heavens. This wire silver from China measures nearly 4.5 inches long with attractive loops and curls forming a natural sculpture. Wire silvers from any locality are rare. For size and price, this is a fine thing.
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Posnjakite - SOLD
Drakewalls Mine, Cornwall, England, UK
6.2 x 5.7 x 3.4 cm
MMB-551 - A shimmery, micro-crystalline layer of the uncommon copper sulfate hydrate posnjakite coats the surface of a blocky matrix from the famous Drakewalls Mine in Cornwall. The attractive robin's egg blue mineral is associated with an un-labelled green mineral.
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Epidote - SOLD
Knappenwand, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria
6.5 x 2.0 x 2.1 cm
MMB-545 - Highly lustrous, sharp, and unrepaired, this cluster of epidote crystals illustrates why specimens from Knappenwand are so famous and desired. The striated, olive-green crystals are transparent when backlit.
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Rhodochrosite on Matrix - SOLD
Uchucchacua, Oyon Prov., Lima Dept., Peru
5.3 x 3.5 x 3.3 cm
MMB-544 - A sharp, translucent to transparent rhodochrosite crystal (2 cm) shows stepped growth around a hollow core. The manganese oxide matrix emphasizes the red glow of the rhodochrosite quite well. Pristine.
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Tourmaline var. Elbaite - SOLD
Himalaya Mine (Glassy Pocket), Mesa Grande, California
4.0 x 2.3 x 1.2 cm
MMB-539 - A superb bi-color tourmaline shows the glassy luster and gemminess that made the Himalaya famous for specimens and gemstones alike. Features a terminated side-car crystal (repaired). Combine this with a cut stone to make an outstanding cut and rough pair.
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Azurite on Malachite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
3.5 x 2.9 x 2.2 cm
MMB-538 - Doubly-terminated, gem azurite crystals to 1.9 cm rest on a bed of chatoyant primary malachite that also hosts several small wulfenite crystals. The azurite crystals are sharp, pristine, and much more transparent than any of the photos illustrate. This piece is a smaller version of the masterpiece featured in the Connoisseur's Corner several weeks ago. An outstanding miniature!
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Bastnäsite on Orthoclase var. Adularia - SOLD
Zagi Mtn., Mulla Ghori, Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan
2.8 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm
MMB-533 - A large, doubly-terminated bastnäsite crystal perches diagonally on crystallized orthoclase (var. adularia). Due to its positioning on the matrix, the crystal form can be admired from all angles. Complete and undamaged. More lustrous in person.
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Rhodochrosite - SOLD
Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
12.5 x 7.5 x 6.5 cm
MMB-532 - A very aesthetic triangular vug of rhodochrosite holds crystals to 2.2 cm juxtaposed with drusy quartz and pyrite. The undamaged rhodochrosite crystals are etched as expected from this locality and show a pleasing dark pink color. Quite an attractive cabinet specimen!
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