Recently Handled Minerals
Pöhla, Schwarzenberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Size: 5.4 x 3.8 x 4.5 cm
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Deeply coloured, doubly terminated barite crystals on matrix! The specimen is very 3-dimensional and showy all around. Great condition and visual impact!
Gotthardtunnel, Uri / Tessin, Switzerland
Size: 12.3 x 10.1 x 3.3 cm
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A large and tall bi-colour gwindel from the famous Gotthard tunnel. The lower left section is totally clear and lustrous, whereas the top right section is dusted with a thin layer of chlorite. The result is a pleasing contrast, so typical of many alpine localities. A few small chips are present, though minor in context. The size and overall appearance are truly impressive.
Niederschlema, Schlema, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Size: 2.5 x 1.4 x 1 cm
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Killer TN proustite from Niederschlema! This specimen has been preserved in the dark since the time it was found, and hence it still glows incredibly red. The colour shows up very well, even without backlight! A little bit of trivial edge wear is present, but the piece is still in great condition. In fact, the colour, transparency and lustre set the standard of the species!
Mohmand, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan
Size: 5.8 x 2.6 x 1.3 cm
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Clear, glossy and exceptionally tall... all that makes a superb gwindel! This is an exceptional piece from recent finds in Pakistan. A small regular crystal and a little piece of matrix are attached at the base.
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Tsumeb, Namibia
Size: 5.7 x 5 x 2 cm
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What a sharp and lustrous azurite crystal on contrasting matrix! The crystal has a very interesting form, featuring altering smooth faces and brilliant striations. Slight bruises along the edges are present, but fortunately they mainly go to the rear side and are barely visible from the front. The crystal is totally freestanding and has a deep blue colour. Great miniature from this classic locale! Ex K. Kontrus collection.
Cincho Mine, Mun. de Muzo, Boyacá Department, Colombia
Size: 6 x 3.3 x 4 cm
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Gorgeous emeralds on mother rock! Two superb crystals are standing in upright position right in the center of a perfectly balanced calcite matrix. The colour is the deepest green one can look for and the composition of the specimen is just awesome. The calcite crystals feature a perfect balance of white and dark gray hues, giving additional contrast and depth. This is truly a top level emerald specimen of stunning aesthetics and perfection. The digital camera lens was not fully able to capture the deep green hue, it is even significantly better in person. A true masterpiece! Ex Jack Halpern collection.
Galmihorn, Wallis, Switzerland
Size: 10 x 6.8 x 3.4 cm
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This piece features a sharp and lustrous doubly-terminated smoky quartz crystal perched on bright granite matrix. The clarity of the crystal is excellent, and both terminations are in perfect condition. What a gorgeous and unique composition! Found by famous Austrian strahlers Gerhard and Hannes Hofer.
Galenstock, Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 13.5 x 11.1 x 4.7 cm
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This is a huge and very impressive gwindel specimen. It features 6-7 doubly terminated individual smoky quartz crystals stacked together and forming this wonderful gwindel crystal. Small chipping is present along the sides, but it is in fact small in context. The colour and gemminess are incredibly fine and make this a centerpiece for every alpine collection. Great quality and visual impact!
Ahmad Abad Mine, Bahabad, Yazd Province, Iran
Size: 13.3 x 11.2 x 9.2 cm
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WOW! What a masterpiece from the new finds! Fantastic sprays of deep orange wulfenites are perched on nicely contrasting white calcite matrix. The composition of the piece is truly dramatic, the depth of colours is truly stunning and the overall condition is great. This specimen is indeed the very best i have seen from the recent finds at the Ahmad Abad mine. Great aesthetics and visual impact! Enquiries about price are welcome!
Knappenwand, Untersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 8.2 x 5.6 x 2.9 cm
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Fantastic sparkling epidote crystal cluster on byssolite matrix! The Knappenwand is well known for the very best epidote specimens in the world, and this specimen is an excellent floater cluster fulfilling all the high standards of the locality. The luster is excellent and the composition is fine and highly balanced. As usual with these fragile clusters, a few of the small and minor crystals are not terminated, but all the big ones on top are in perfect condition and undamaged. An excellent small cabinet sized specimen. No repair!
Sidi Lahcen Mine, Nador, Morocco
Size: 8.3 x 5 x 4 cm
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Fine group of doubly terminated baryte blades resting on dark calcite matrix.
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Size: 10 x 7.5 x 4.6 cm
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The sharp terminated crystals show a multiple-stepped, modified habit, all their faces are very glossy. Most of them feature intense green Duftite inclusions. The assemble is more 3-dimensional as seen on photography. Overall the specimen is very eye-catching and colorful. No significant damages to report.