Recently Handled Minerals
insert long description
Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego Co., California, USA
Size: 11.5 x 5.2 x 3.5 cm
 |
This is a fantastic doubly-terminated elbaite crystal featuring 5 distinct colour zones and very nice albite and lepidolite crystals in assciation. The specimen is a full floater and is in pristine condition all around. Ex Reinhard Dallinger coll.
Jeffrey Quarry, Asbestos, Canada
Size: 5 x 4.4 x 2.8 cm
 |
Very lustrous garnets to 14 mm in diameter on matrix! The main crystal is well isolated and free of any damage. The piece comes with an old label, indicating that it was sold to the collector by Gebr. Henn in 1977. Very showy specimen from this defunct locality.
Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Size: 7.4 x 4.5 x 4 cm
 |
 |
Clear orange selenite twins on first generation selenite matrix. Amazing quality!
Cavradi, Val Curnera, Tujetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 5.5 x 5.2 x 2.6 cm
 |
A bunch of hematite blades perched atop quartz and schist matrix! The biggest crystal is 3.2 cm wide. Small rutile crystals, which are so typical of the locale, are present in some places. the crystals on the front side are all in perfect condition, just one crystal in the back shows damage, but this is insignificant as it is not visible from the front side. Fantastic aesthetics and composition!
Milpillas Mine, Cananea, Sonora, Mexico
Size: 6.5 x 6.2 x 2.1 cm
 |
Electric blue and sparkling azurite crystals forming a highly aesthetic cluster group! All crystals are in perfect condition, there are no contacts on the outline. The rear side is contacted to matrix, but undamaged also. The main crystal atop sets a beautiful focus, and the beautiful side crystals tear the eye down and all around. One of the best specimens from the recent finds i have seen in small cabinet size range. Absolutely superb composition and visual impact!
Kelly Mine, Magdalena District, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA
Size: 4.6 x 4.1 x 2.5 cm
 |
Lovely botryoidal smithsonite featuring beautiful colour and shape!
Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 4.2 x 2.1 x 1.1 cm
 |
WOW! This is an exceptionally large and well formed euclase crystal from Ouro Preto. The colour is quite unusual and indeed much more on the green side than most of these. The tip is pointed and sharp. The luster and clarity are truly amazing, some flaky inclusions in the back side add sparkle and interest. What a rare and fantastic gem crystal!
Berg Aukas, Namibia
Size: 7.2 x 4.9 x 4.1 cm
 |
 |
Berg Aukas is world-renowned for its extraordinary descloizite (zinc analogue of Mottramite) specimens, and this particular specimen represents the very best quality and crystal size for this most relevant locality. The piece shows one excellent spear-point bladed crystal. The dimension of this main crystal is absolutely outstanding - even for Berg Aukas. The luster of all crystals is superb and the assemble couldn´t be more aesthetic. I use the designation "masterpiece" very carefully, but this specimen is the very best piece I ever saw from the locality and "masterpeice" is the only labeling, which does justice to it. No significant damages to report.
Berbes, Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Size: 10.8 x 6.1 x 5 cm
 |
37 mm on edges is a remarkable crystals size - even for Berbes! The isolated, exposed single fluorite crystal shows sharp edges, light lavender color and waxy luster. The contrast with light beige baryte roses at the base and with tiny, glossy quartz crystals gives a very aesthetic visual impact to the piece. No significant damage to report.
Ruguan Mine, China
Size: 8.8 x 6.8 x 6.8 cm
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
WOW! What an incredible fluorite crystal perched on a bed of drusy quartz crystals! The fluorite features predominating rhombohedral, and smaller cubic faces, resembling the form of a garnet! In addition, there is a green core and several layers of fantastic purple phantoms around it. Just amazing! Great visual impact and no damage.
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Size: 15.5 x 13.8 x 13.4 cm
 |
 |
What an amazing calcite stalactite partially covered by duftite! The piece is very 3-dimensional and well crystalized all the way around. The right picture shows the view from top.
Caschle, Rueras, Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 7.4 x 6 x 2.9 cm
 |
Beautiful floater gwindel in perfect condition. The bottom side is well crystalized, too.