Recently Handled Minerals
Ahmad Abad Mine, Bahabad, Yazd Province, Iran
Size: 14.3 x 9.9 x 5.8 cm
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A wonderful cabinet size wulfenite specimen from Iran. The matirx, basically consisting of calcite, is fully covered by freestanding wulfenite crystals up to 27 mm on edge. The colour is a bright orange, very intense and a bit more on the yellow side than most of the well-known Mexican wulfenite specimens. A black line of plattnerite is present on almost every crystal. No significant damage to report.
Rosia Poieni Mine, Mușca, Lupșa Commune, Alba, Romania
Size: 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm
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A great sample of vivianite from the 2019 finds at Rosia Poieni mine. The find was a huge surprise, they represent the best crystals of the species worldwide now. This piece is an excellent miniature specimen of this significant discovery. No damage.
Frosnitztal, East Tyrol, Austria
Size: 9.6 x 7.2 x 3.7 cm
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Razor sharp, reddish brown titanites resting on schist matrix! The big crystals show even some clarity and are fully free of chipping. Excellent sample from a new pocket, found in 2015.
Bärnkopf, Kaprunertal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 7 x 6.1 x 5 cm
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Excellent titanite twins on adularia and chlorite matrix. The colour of this small find in Kapruner valley is exceptionally deep and fine! Both crystals are in pristine condition, the larger one measures 19 mm. Ex Gerd Stefanik collection.
Mawi, Laghman Province, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
Size: 4.5 x 0.8 x 0.7 cm
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Marvellous bi-colour tourmaline from Mawi mines. Both colour zones are clear and exceptioally gemmy. The 3-sided termination is undamaged and free of any chips.
Euclase pegmatite, Boa Vista, Rodrigo Silva, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 6.4 x 4.4 x 3.9 cm
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This specimen features a textbook, transparent, 19 x 14 mm euclase crystal perched on a matrix composed of very well crystallized mica blades. The piece is a full floater and complete all around. Gorgeous aesthetics and zero damage!
Zagi Mountain, Hameed Abad Kafoor Dheri, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Size: 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 cm
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A very aesthetic assemble with an isolated, exposed and freestanding main crystal at the top of matrix. The crystal is sharp terminated, glossy and shows a great colour change in white and warm lights. No damage.
Galenstock, Tiefengletscher, Furka, Uri, Switzerland
Size: 12.8 x 9.6 x 6.5 cm
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WOW! What an amazing smoky crystal group! Three predominant crystals are standing in upright position on a floater cluster built by smaller ones. The clarity is amazing, the luster glossy like a mirror, and the colour a very pleasing reddish brown hue. What else to look for? A great piece for the advanced alpine collector. Great composition and aesthetics.
Tiefengletscher, Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 11 x 8.3 x 7.7 cm
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Super aesthetic spray of light brown smoky crystals on granite matrix. Minor hematite, adularia and chlorite are present in a few places and set a pleasing contrast. Amazing clarity, no damage.
Spitzigrat, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 10 x 9 x 6.7 cm
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What an amazing smoky quartz specimen. Three freestanding exposed and elongated crystals are surrounded by numerous smaller ones attractively set on light granite matrix. The contrast is spectacular and the quality of all smoky quartz crystals is gorgeous - they show this most wanted dark red-brown color, razor sharp termination and highest possible luster. There are no internal cracks or inclusions, they are all water-clear! Superb condition and aesthetics.
Cavnic Mine (Kapnik), Cavnic (Kapnic; Kapnik), Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 12.6 x 9.9 x 6.4 cm
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A beautiful formation of stacked calcite crystals. The piece is very 3-dimensional and showy all around. The back side is in fact as nicly formed as the front. A second generation of calcite (or dolomite?) sparkles like snow on a mountain, just amazing. The entire piece is in pristine condition, there is no damage. Ex Leo Thalhammer colection, his label is coming with the piece.
Cavnic Mine (Kapnik), Cavnic (Kapnic; Kapnik), Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 8.3 x 6.2 x 3.7 cm
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Bow ties of white selenite resting on the upper ridge of a black ore matrix (probably chalcocite). Great contrast, great composition, no damage on front side! Ex Leo Thalhammer collection.