Recently Handled Minerals
Oberdorf an der Laming, Steiermark, Austria
Size: 6.2 x 5.2 x 4.8 cm
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Large, elongated strontianite crystals with 6-sided pyramidal termination on dolomite matrix. Very 3-dimensional and perfect on all sides. Strontianites of the "quartz" habit are very rare, only very few specimens have been found in the 1960s. This piece comes from an old miner and is an excellent sample from the find.
Hopffeldboden, Obersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 7.5 x 3.8 x 1.5 cm
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A 6 mm kainosite crystal on adularia and mica matrix. Hopffeldboden has produced the best kainosites in the world, the largest known crystal is 13 mm wide. This is an excellent sample of this exceedingly rare species! No damage.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 6.7 x 5.9 x 3.6 cm
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The sharply terminated fluorite crystal is 22 mm on edges, its faces are highly lustrous and show intense sky-blue color with minor violet zoning. Two edges are framed by brown-red siderite crystals. The Fluorite is embedded in light grey well shaped Muscovite crystals. A very aestheic specimen and in great condition damage-wise.
Mawi, Laghman Province, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
Size: 7.1 x 2.9 x 1.2 cm
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This sharp and well-formed spodumene crystal features a very nice greenish-yellow colour and high transparency. It is in great condition all around, the bottom side is rehealed.
Goboboseb Mts., Brandberg Area, Erongo Region, Namibia
Size: 7.1 x 2.8 x 2.4 cm
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A sharp single amethyst crystal of deepest purple colour and beautiful phantom-like zoning.
Antsira, Sahatany Valley, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
Size: 3 x 1.6 x 1.1 cm
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Fantastic rubellite thumbnail from Madagascar! No damage, no repair.
Jos Plateau, Plateau State, Nigeria
Size: 7 x 2.7 x 2.2 cm
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This is a killer aquamarine crystal from an African source! The colour is shockingly strong, especially in the sunlight. The termination bevels are exceptionally fine, and the surface structures are special and unique. What a gorgeous gemstone crystal in perfect condition!
Morro Redondo Mine, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 6.5 x 0.9 x 0.9 cm
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Rubellite with blueish green cap from old classic finds at Morro Redondo mine. No damage.
Antsira, Sahatany Valley, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
Size: 6.2 x 2.9 x 2.7 cm
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This is a killer miniature spray of rubellites from Madagascar! From a very small pocket found in 2006. This is one of the top 5 pieces in the find!
Ankazobe Town, Analamanga, Madagascar
Size: 7.4 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm
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Superb red cap heliodor from the new find. The terminations of this particular pocket feature a very distinct style which is truly amazing and unique. Red hematite inclusions add a pleasing contrast. This is one of the top 5 pieces from the pocket, it shows great condition and shape!
Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Idaho, USA
Size: 2.2 x 1.8 x 0.9 cm
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Gorgeous thumbnail featuring three ball-shaped aggregates of deeply orange arsenian pyromorphite on matrix. Pristine all around and great aesthetics!
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 8.6 x 5.1 x 2.9 cm
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This is a classic Santa Rosa tourmaline featuring the distinctive green and blue hues. It is a superb composite cluster of several crystals in parallal growth. The top terminations are nicely stepped and all in pristine condition, the bottom termination is naturally etched and also fully crystalized. Great colours and shape!