Fine Mineral Specimens - Gallery I           

We've enjoyed working with these treasures, and we expect that you'll find some pleasure in browsing through our galleries. If you see something that interests you, be sure to read about how to purchase a specimen.

Faden Quartz - SOLD
Waziristan, NW Frontier Province, Pakistan 
7.4 x 6.6 x 5.2 cm

MMB-684 - In this intriguing faden quartz specimen, the faden line runs a length of 6.4 cm and crosses from one group of stacked crystals to another group that is rotated roughly 30° from the first. Numerous other transparent, lustrous quartz prisms accompany the slightly tabular crystals hosting the faden line. Faden quartz forms by a process of rupturing and healing during crystal growth that leaves a thread of liquid and gas inclusions in the crystal called a faden line.

Bournonite on Quartz - SOLD
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province., China
6.5 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm

MMY-1218 - Tucked among several transparent quartz crystals is a well-formed bournonite crystal with mirror-bright luster. Chinese bournonite specimens have certainly caused quite a stir in the collecting world as they are arguably equal with or better than pieces from England and Bolivia. Due to safety concerns and the scarcity of specimens, access to the older levels in the mine where these are found is no longer allowed.

— custom lucite base

Acanthite - SOLD
Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico
3.5 x 3.1 x 2.0 cm

MMS-254 - With sharp, hoppered crystals, this lustrous acanthite specimen from the classic silver mining area in Mexico is a killer miniature. The piece is complete all around – in fact, one is hard-pressed to decide which way to display the piece. Much more three-dimensional in person.

Spodumene var. Hiddenite - SOLD
Hiddenite, Alexander Co., North Carolina, USA
3.7 x 0.9 x 0.6 cm

MMS-236 - From the type locality for the variety, this 3.7 cm long transparent hiddenite crystal has a light green base followed by a light yellow band and a emerald green termination. The specimen is well-crystalized and lustrous...a lovely example of this rare variety of spodumene.

Neptunite - SOLD
Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito Co., California
3.8 x 3.2 x 1.0 cm

MMB-591 - With the level of quality and aesthetics one should expect from a miniature, this neptunite specimen features a pair of lustrous, sharp crystals with the largest (doubly-terminated!) crystal measuring a full 3.1 cm. This locality is better known for its benitoite specimens, but it also produced neptunite that is arguably the world's best.

Kämmererite - SOLD
Kop Krom Mine, Erzurum Prov., Turkey
4.6 x 5.2 x 4.4 cm

MMS-265 - Transparent crystals of magenta kammererite line the inside of a vug in this small cabinet specimen from the famous Kop Krom Mine of Turkey. Many years have passed since such specimens have come to market, and this is a good representation of this chromium rich variety of clinochlore.

Bournonite with Quartz & Fluorite - SOLD
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Prov., China
4.2 x 2.4 x 1.6 cm

MMB-697 - A sharp-edged, slightly flattened crystal of bournonite with both terminations visible intersects several flattened quartz prisms in this "toenail" sized specimen from China. There is one crystal contact and an unobtrusive nick on one edge. Perched at the intersection of the quartz and bournonite is a fluorite crystal.

Siderite with Quartz - SOLD
Morro Velho, Nova Lima, Brazil
7.6 x 6.0 x 3.3 cm

MMB-564 - Two quartz crystals accent a cluster of yellow-orange siderite rhombs (to 4.6 cm!) in this small cabinet specimen from the 1950's. Morro Velho, worked for its gold ore, is among the deepest mines in the world, extending nearly 3000 meters into the earth. These specimens are rarely seen in the market.

Clinozoisite (Epidote) - SOLD
Hashupa, Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan
12.0 x 2.5 x 1.0 cm

MMS-190 - Exceptional size, luster, transparency, complete termination...these combine to make this a very fine clinozoisite (epidote) specimen from Pakistan. A number of specimens of this size and quality were taken from a pocket in the 90's, and only occasionally do they return into the marketplace for sale. A killer gem crystal!

Galena, Sphalerite, Quartz - SOLD
Gjudurska Mine, Ziatograd Dist., Bulgaria
15.5 x 14.5 x 5.0 cm

MMB-759 - Mirror-bright, sharp galena crystals rest on a bed of quartz needles alongside sphalerite clusters in this large specimen from Bulgaria. The contrast between textures and "colors" makes for a lovely display. The back of the specimen hosts a number of additional galena crystals and quartz spears. From a new and exciting find (2010), this piece is attractive, affordable, and can be yours!

Hubnerite on Quartz - SOLD
Mundo Nuevo Mine, Huamachuco, Peru
6.0 x 5.1 x 4.2 cm

MMB-761 - An explosion of transparent quartz prisms surrounds several, finely formed hubnerite crystals in this small cabinet specimen from Peru. The largest crystal measures roughly 3 cm and has lightly striated, lustrous faces. Very nice from all angles.

Quartz var. Amethyst - SOLD
Goboboseb Mt., Brandberg, Erongo, Namibia
9.0 x 8.9 x 4.0 cm

MMB-830 - Attractively striated and showing superb luster, this quartz specimen from Brandberg has both a sharp amethyst phantom and smoky quartz zones. As is expected, this specimen has a number of fascinating negative crystals that make it a joy to hold and examine. With no repairs, the piece is priced in accordance with a contact area on the back of the left crystal. Displays quite nicely!