Fine Mineral Specimens - Gallery II           

Dioptase on Plancheite - SOLD
Renéville, Brazzaville Region, Rep. of Congo
3.7 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm

MMS-257 - A pair of highly lustrous, jewel-like dioptase crystals rests on a matrix coated with plancheite. Isolated crystals in pristine condition such as this pair on matrix are particularly sought by collectors.

Smithsonite w/ Hemimorphite - SOLD
San Antonio El Grande Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico
3.6 x 3.2 x 2.4 cm

MMS-239 - Transparent sprays of hemimorphite crystals add accent to chatoyant smithsonite the color of sunlight shining through an ocean wave. An attractive specimen from Mexico featuring a combination that has not been found again.

Fluorite - SOLD
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
5.4 x 4.5 x 4.0 cm

MMY-1201 - Gem purple cubes (to 3 cm) on a light green muscovite matrix show excellent luster and clarity. Gaze into the center of the crystal and see a series of purple phantoms inside. Chinese fluorite is rapidly becoming legendary in the vast world of fluorite localities. This superb miniature shows us why!

– Custom lucite base

Aquamarine w/ Schorl & Smoky Quartz - SOLD
Erongo Region, Namibia
5.2 x 4.1 x 2.7 cm
– ex Charlie Key Collection

MMS-218 - A lustrous and gemmy (more so in person) aquamarine cluster of sea-foam color stands apart with its mineral associations. A tabular smoky quartz crystal juts off to the right side along with lustrous, jet-black schorl crystals. Aesthetic and colorful. A true mineral masterpiece.

Cerussite - SOLD
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
5.8 x 4.6 x 3.1 cm
- ex Pellman Collection

MMS-208 - A significant water-clear cerussite jewel (2.4 cm) showing V-twinning perches atop a stack of untwinned partly transparent cerussite with a bit of matrix. Classic cerussite crystals from Tsumeb are highly sought after by collectors, especially specimens with superb form and transparency.

Wulfenite - SOLD
Ahumada/Erupcion Mine, Los Lamentos, Mexico
3.7 x 2.3 x 2.0 cm

MMS-253 - A highly transparent, tabular wulfenite crystal perches on a bit of cerussite matrix. A series of diamond-shaped phantoms are counterposed against a square color zone for a fabulous effect. Quite unusual for wulfenite from the Los Lamentos area. Hold it to the light and enjoy!

Andorite with Pyrite - SOLD
San Jose Mine, Oruro Dept., Bolivia
3.6 x 3.1 x 2.4 cm

MMS-233 - Several extremely fine intersecting crystals of the rare sulfosalt andorite perch on a matrix coated with pyrite. The juxtaposition of the pyrite cubes and the striated, lustrous andorite is particularly appealing. One would be hard-pressed to replace such a high-quality miniature from Bolivia. Displays well from all angles.

Wulfenite - SOLD
Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico
6.2 x 4.7 x 3.7 cm

MMS-258 - A pair of sharp, rich orange crystals of wulfenite (to 1.3 cm) rest on a multi-colored matrix in this pristine small cabinet specimen. The waxy luster of the crystals and slight transparency combine to make this a fine LL specimen.

Morganite with Tourmaline - SOLD
Himalaya Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA
7.8 x 5.1 x 4.0 cm

MMS-273 - Morganite with well-defined faces from the Himalaya Mine in San Diego County is particularly rare in itself. Combined with a multi-color tourmaline crystal, this piece is truly unique and desireable. A must-have addition to any collection of gem minerals.

Topaz on Albite - SOLD
Younas, Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan
6.2 x 4.8 x 4.5 cm

MMS-252 - A large, gemmy champagne-colored topaz crystal is partly encircled by a crystalized albite matrix in this fine gem crystal specimen. The topaz is in pristine condition with lustrous faces and is very nearly doubly-terminated. Be sure to view this from multiple angles as it is gemmier in person. In the middle photo below, the matrix is visible through the crystal.