Recently Handled Minerals
Pre-Tucson 2017
N'Chwaning Mine, Kuruman, Northern Cape Prov., South Africa
Size: 17.4 x 6.4 x 6 cm
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Rhombohedral hot pink rhodochrosite crystals are forming botryoidal shapes on brown gageite and mangan ore matrix! Only a small and very limited find yielded this unique style and combination. This is an amazing cabinet sized piece of excellent quality and condition!
Ganesh Himal, Somdang, Bagmati, Nepal
Size: 10.1 x 4.9 x 3.4 cm
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Wow - really a fantastic piece! The "matrix" is a twinned, snowy white, well shaped pericline crystal. The lustrous main crystal is raising up vertically. It is razor sharp terminated, luster is as good as it ever could be! The dark green phantoms show a spectacular contrast to pericline. Rarely I saw such an aesthetic specimen, not from Ganesh, neither from any other locality! No significant damages to report.
Tiefengletscher, Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 7.5 x 4.8 x 2 cm
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Lovely pink fluorites scattered on granite matrix. The edges are slightly water worn and a little bit rounded.
Frohnau, Annaberg-Buchholz, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Size: 11.7 x 11.4 x 3 cm
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Black fluorites scattered on a nicely contrasting quartz matrix. One small galena is also present, sitting on a fluorite crystal. The fluorites have sharp edges and great luster. Ex Robert Brandstetter collection No.491
Taftan, Chagai District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 4.7 x 2.8 x 2.3 cm
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Beautiful brookites perched on quartz crystals. Great shape and condition. Ex Wilfried Schlosser collection.
Cruzeiro Mine, São José da Safira, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 6.4 x 6.3 x 2.5 cm
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WOW! What a fantastic tourmaline crystal group on purple lepidolite! The specimen features a fantastic bicolour "watermelon" style. Both colours are bright, intense and very well balanced. Indeed, the colours and the amazing composition are just mind-blowing! One of the crystals is repaired once, and on one spot there has been a small restoration done. All of these little condition issues are very well acceptable once a specimen has this outstanding beauty and gorgeous visual impact!
Mt. Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi
Size: 10.5 x 3.4 x 5.1 cm
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Elongated aegirine crystals on smoky quartz and parisite. Very beautiful specimen of this rare combination!
Mibladen, Midelt, Khenifra Province, Morocco
Size: 5.8 x 4.3 x 2.8 cm
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Deep red vanadinites on nicely contrasting baryte crystals.
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mun. de Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Size: 4.1 x 3.8 x 1.9 cm
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WULFENITE IS LOVE -- OJUELA TOO!! The main crystal is set in the center of a heart-shaped matrix, which is covered by dark greenish mottramite. It measures 15mm across, is sharp terminated and shows superb color, texture and luster. No damage.
Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Size: 6.2 x 5.3 x 3.9 cm
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This is a complete crystal – not contacted or extracted backside. The single Fluorite crystal is 47 x 34 x 33mm tall. It consists of uncountable tiny steps, which are all sharp terminated. Uncountable faces, all lustrous. The crystal is attractively set on a jet-black and glossy thin Sphalerite crystal. There are no damages or contacts along the edges of the crystal, these are all micro steps or modifications. The crystal shows very fine clarity – much better in person. Only caused by these many steps you cannot see the clarity on my photo well. The crystal is not completely colorless, there is just a touch of lavender when you hold it in front of neutral background. The assemble is really exciting in person. The Sphalerite is just 8mm thick and the Fluorite is exactly in the middle – not only the middle from left to right, also from front to back. No significant damages to report, much better in person, highly recommended.
Illinois, USA
Size: 6 x 4.6 x 3.5 cm
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A sharp bi-colour fluorite featuring a gorgeous purple phantom is perched on lovely sphalerite matrix! Very minor edge wear is present, but it is insignificant and barely visible. Fantastic aesthetics and very balanced composition!
Barra de Salinas Mine, Coronel Murta, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 10.7 x 0.9 x 0.9 cm
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Classic deep green gem tourmaline pencil from Brazil. The pointed termination is very special and free of any damage. The colour is bright and open, and the striations are sharp and well formed!