Recently Handled Minerals
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.
Berbes, Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Size: 9.8 x 8.1 x 4.7 cm
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Large modified crystals of fluorite, which seem to consist of uncountable individual cubes and surrounded by snowy white, sharp terminated calcite crystals. The assemble is very sculptural! When backlit the fluorites expose incredible dark purple color - a fantastic contrast to calcite. No significant damages to report, backside was on the rock.
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 5.2 x 1.5 x 1.1 cm
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This is a superb bicolour tourmaline from an old Brazilian find. The green colour is strong and intense, and it has a strong blueish accent. The edges show the usual tiny edge wear, which is barely visible and insignificant.
Tharsis, Alosno, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
Size: 9 x 5.4 x 3.3 cm
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Striking aggregate of iridescent goethite balls in a very pleasing stalactite composition.
Mibladen, Midelt, Khenifra Province, Morocco
Size: 5.9 x 3.9 x 4.4 cm
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Bright vanadinite clusters on baryte matrix. No damage on any of the main crystals.
Touissit, Oujda-Angad Prov., Oriental Region, Morocco
Size: 3.6 x 3 x 1.1 cm
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Excellent miniature from the classic old finds, featuring bright yellow crystals to 28 mm across.