Recently Handled Minerals
Brixlegg, Tirol, Austria
Size: 6.3 x 3.2 x 1.8 cm
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Botryoidal malachite aggregates on host rock from a classic Austrian locality. The luster is excellent, and the black inclusions on right side set a lovely contrast. No damage.
Dallas Gem Mine (Benitoite Gem Mine), San Benito Co., California, USA
Size: 5.6 x 4.7 x 2.2 cm
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Two lovely benitoite crystals measuring 22 and 18 mm across on natrolite matrix. Small neptunites provide a beautiful contrast. Both benitoites are pristine and free of damage.
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Size: 5.6 x 4.4 x 3.1 cm
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Highly lustrous dioptase crystals covering a calcite and duftite matrix. The colour is superb, and the luster is very bright! Minor chipping is present in a few places, but it is small and inferior.
Ahmad Abad Mine, Bahabad, Yazd Province, Iran
Size: 5.9 x 5.9 x 4.7 cm
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This specimen features the very best colour of the entire find. Deep orange, partially reddish, wulfenite crystals are scattered on a white calcite matrix. Lovely contrast and composition. Minor edge wear is present in places, but it is small and unimportant in context. What a surprise to see this amazing colour coming from new finds from Iran!
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan
Size: 5.6 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm
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Sharp and clear, well terminated aquamarine crystals standing upright on white feldspar matrix. Both crystals have excellent colour and no damage.
Jaquetô Mine, Guaratinga, Bahia, Brazil
Size: 4.4 x 1.4 x 0.9 cm
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These two intergrown crystals are well developed 360°, they are very glossy and show excellent clarity. The texture of the faces is really amazing. A fine sample for this famous locality. No damage.
Vorderer Zinggenstock, Grimsel, Haslital, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Size: 14.4 x 10.7 x 5.6 cm
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A 6 by 4 inch plate of white granite is host to about two dozen pink fluorite crystals. The fluorites show a deep pink core and slightly purple corners, as so typical of the famous Rufibach pocket. The largest crystal is 2.3 cm wide. The dense coverage and arrangement of the fluorites make this a truly fine and attractive alpine fluorite specimen!
Antsira, Sahatany Valley, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
Size: 5.3 x 2.4 x 2.1 cm
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The crystal is well developed and features a fantastic colour zoning! From top to bottom there are about 10-12 distinct colours visible. At the base it is dark, then you can see various steps of yellow and moss green, at the top it shows a concentration of pink and very attractive texture at the end point. It is very glossy all around and shows good translucency. Repaired once, and professionally restored.
Herja Mine, Chiuzbaia, Baia Mare, Maramureș Co., Romania
Size: 18.5 x 11 x 4 cm
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Botyoidal siderite in nice and well-formed balls, covering a piece of matrix on all sides. Total weight is 1900 grams. Little barites are attached in a few places. Ex Leo Thalhammer collection. He aquired the piece in 1968 in Herja, his label is still coming with the piece.
Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 4 x 3.6 x 1.1 cm
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Clear gwindel of top quality! One cannot imagine better any more, just bigger! Almost closed shape and mirror luster - what a beauty!
Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 10.7 x 6.7 x 4.2 cm
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A really large, water-clear gwindel in light smoky color. The specimen shows a significant rotation, the termination is very sharp and the faces are very glossy. Only the tips show just a powder of chlorite, which helps to give more contrast to the piece. Hard to photograph, better in person! The dimension is remarkable and the quality is very good also backside. No damages, no contacts!
Cavnic Mine (Kapnik), Cavnic (Kapnic; Kapnik), Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 15.8 x 11.7 x 6.6 cm
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Superb large cabinet sized specimen of botryoidal rhodochrosite on quartz matrix. Large, beautiful and significant crystals! One of the top ten pieces in Leo Thalhammer's famous Romania collection. Superb shape and contrast, and great condition!