Recently Handled Minerals
Aouint Ighoumane, Assa-Zag Province, Guelmim-Oued Noun Region, Morocco
Size: 4 x 0.8 x 0.7 cm
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A slightly curved gold crystal cluster, white calcite is intergrown on the side.
Jonas Mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 4.1 x 2.8 x 3.5 cm
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This is a rubelite matrix specimen from Ailton Barbosa's great find at the Jonas mine. The pocket was discovered in 1978, and the rubelite quality from this pocket still sets the standard for the species. This specimen features one richly coloured crystal, capped by a blade of albite on the top right side. Repaired once.
Cruzeiro Mine, São José da Safira, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 7.4 x 4.5 x 4.2 cm
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Beautiful rubellites freestanding on purple lepidolite, albite and white mica matrix. The crystals are sharp and show an especially deep red hue at their terminations. No damage, no restoration, no repair, the condition of this piece is pristine, that is quite rare on tourmaline specimens in today's market.
Cavnic Mine (Kapnik), Cavnic (Kapnic; Kapnik), Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 15.3 x 10.9 x 10.2 cm
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The specimen shows a very 3-dimensional composition. This well formed group of scalenohedral calcite crystals was covered by tiny crystals of snowy white dolomite. The whole assemble is now hollow inside - a so called perimorphose. The piece is developed as a floater and could be displayed 360°, no significant damages to report.
Aouint Ighoumane, Assa-Zag Province, Guelmim-Oued Noun Region, Morocco
Size: 2.2 x 0.5 x 0.4 cm
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Beautiful spinel twinned gold crystal aggregate!
Quy Chau District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam
Size: 7.8 x 2 x 1.8 cm
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An deep blue, very colour-saturated aquamarine from more recent finds in Vietnam. The color is EXTREME, and reminds me only of a very few Jos aquamarines I have seen in the past, quite more robust than aquas from Pakistan or Brazil. This elegant, cityscape cluster of vertical crystals is complete all-around and looks great in each angle. Only a low number was found, even less were clusters like the particular piece. It is pristine and has a fancy, pyramidal termination characteristic of this discovery. No significant damages to report.
Inowrocław, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
Size: 6.8 x 6.3 x 3.8 cm
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Superb halite cubes perched on red selenite crystals. No damage. Note: this specimen should be delivered to a mineral show, i do not want to take the risk of shipping.
Ahmad Abad Mine, Bahabad, Yazd Province, Iran
Size: 5.7 x 5.1 x 3.7 cm
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Lustrous and deep orange wulfenite crystals to 3 cm across perched on matrix. What a great sample from the new finds! The main crystals are pristine and free of damage.
Aouint Ighoumane, Assa-Zag Province, Guelmim-Oued Noun Region, Morocco
Size: 2.6 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm
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"The Christmas Tree" - an exceptionally well formed crystal cluster, very well balanced and superbly crystalized on all sides. A killer thumbnail of true competition quality!
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Size: 8.6 x 4.7 x 2.8 cm
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The dioptase crystals are up to 8mm across. They are all sharp terminated, gemmy and highly lustrous - they represent the very best quality for the mineral! All crystals are scattered all over the specimen, some isolated or in small groups. The contrast to snowy white, glossy calcite crystals is really very eye-catching! No significant damages to report.
Naica, Mun. de Saucillo, Chihuahua, Mexico
Size: 12.7 x 8.4 x 6.2 cm
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A sharp and glass clear selenite crystal perched on mother rock. The crystal is quite large and measures 12.6 x 3.4 x 1.0 cm. The piece is a full floater and complete all around.
Mamuju area, Sulawesi Barat Province, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Size: 16 x 9.8 x 4 cm
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Superb bi-colour specimen from recent finds!