Recently Handled Minerals
Kuldiha, Orissa, India
Size: 7.8 x 3 x 2.4 cm
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One really amazing heliodor from recent discoveries in India. This material is very rare and only a low number of crystals shows this amazing quality. The crystal is gemmy and the etched texture on all faces is simply breath-taking. It looks nice on the photos, but I have to note that it is even much better in person. The specimen looks simply great in each angle and is rich of wonderful details all around. No significant damages to report.
Bergsig Farm 167 (Hohenstein), Omaruru District, Erongo Region, Namibia
Size: 5.7 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm
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"The Lizard" - what an gorgeous elongated bi-colour fluorite crystal perched on a nicely contrasting matrix! The pocket was found in 2005/2006 and named "Coca-Cola-Pocket" due to its amazing brown colours. This is one of the most aesthetic specimens I have ever seen from Erongo mountains. The crystals show very uncommon and rare shapes, there is no damage or contact. Published in the Extra Lapis 47 "Namibia", page 66. Ex Robert Brandstetter collection, his label is coming with the specimen.
Merelani Mine, Arusha, Tanzania
Size: 3 x 2.7 x 2.7 cm
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WOW! Incredible deep green tsavorite garnets on graphite matrix! The crystals have a fantastic green colour and especially the main crystal features truly an awesome brilliance. Wide parts are gemmy and clear. All the edges show nicely bevelled faces. There is a minor contact on the rear side, but this is forgivable and not a detraction when displayed from the front. What a rare and well formed miniature of highest standards!
No. 5 Mine, Baia Sprie (Felsöbánya), Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 5.8 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm
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A spray of iridescent berthierite is crossing a group of sharp and clear barite crystals. Great composition and form! There is one minor contact on the rear side, otherwise the specimen is in excellent condition.
N'Chwaning Mine, Kuruman, Northern Cape Prov., South Africa
Size: 4 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm
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What a lovely doubly-terminated, elongated hematite with side cars! No damage.
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith Co., Tennessee, USA
Size: 5.7 x 4.9 x 2.7 cm
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The main crystal is 29mm on edges. The faces show a really eye-catching texture, which seems to consit of hundreds tiny squares - all of them very glossy. The center is very light, just a touch of lavender. Along the edges you can see a sharp concentration of purple color. The crystal is perched on dark, lustrous sphalerite, which gives a lot of contrast and great visual impact to this excellent specimen.
Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Size: 5.9 x 5.2 x 2.2 cm
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Sharp terminated, glossy, candy pink smithsonite crystals attractively set on grey matrix. Contrast is really nice, the piece is really a very fine sample from Tsumeb. No significant damages to report.
Berbes, Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Size: 7.8 x 5.8 x 4.8 cm
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One isolated fluorite crystal (38 x 38 x 32mm) attractively set on a thin plate of well shaped snowy white quartz crystals - it could not be more aesthetic! The cube shows modification of rhomb along the edges and the faces feature amazing texture. When backlit you can see a nearly purple center, blue zoning and violet color tones along the edges - the saturation is exceptional! Looks great in various positions, no significant damages to report.
Grube Stefanie, Bleiberg, Kärnten, Austria
Size: 6.8 x 4.8 x 4.7 cm
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Thick and sturdy wulfenite crystals on white carbonate matrix. The main crystals are undamaged. Ex Karl Kontrus collection.
Grube Stefanie, Bleiberg, Kärnten, Austria
Size: 7.9 x 4.9 x 2 cm
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This Wulfenite from the type locality combines great colour and superb luster! A group of cerussites adds an interesting contrast.
Xianghualing Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 9.7 x 6.6 x 5.2 cm
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The specimen shows a very 3-dimensional floater, in perfect condition all around. The exposed part is nearly like a sphere. This well formed cluster consists of uncountable, sharp termianted little faces - all of them super lustrous. The piece is very clear and transparent, much more than shown on my picture. The colour is a very pleasing sea-green. No significant damages to report and significantly better in person.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 10.9 x 10.1 x 4.2 cm
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What a gorgeous combination! Blue fluorite cubes up to 35 mm across on dolomite and smoky quartz, wolframite and scheelite matrix. I just love the composition and combinations of this very well balanced specimen. The rear side is nicely crystalized also. No damage.