International Minerals #32

An absolutely stunning lustrous milky quartz from the classic locality of Dalnegorsk, Russia. The intact candle like structure exhibits highly lustrous surface as it reflects hundreds of crystal faces off its surface in parallel growths. A significant quartz specimen from the famous collection of Oliver Konczer.

A beautiful classic botryoidal calcite specimen from Romania featuring distinct interlocked balls of calcite varying in diameter.

A lovely miniature featuring two parallel red-purple ruby crystals perched in contrasting matrix.

An aesthetic cluster of black sphalerite crystals forming a distinct ball neatly placed on matrix. A less common specimen from the famous Emlwood Mine, Tennessee.

A highly aesthetic American classic featuring a golden-yellow transparent doubly terminated calcite perfectly perched in limestone matrix, originating from Sweetwater Mine, Missouri.

Chinese cassiterites are without a doubt the finest in the World. This highly lustrous complex crystal is nestled on top of a uniform mica cluster. Mount Xuebaoding in Sichuan Province, China, is the prime locality of these species including this particular specimen.

Of many red quartz specimen from Morocco that recently made their way to the market, few retained their overall aesthetics, ideal size and lack of damage. In fact many relatively expensive specimens offered for sale tend to be much larger and exhibit significant damage. This well-balanced quartz cluster at under 10 cm in width is ideal for a small cabinet size specimen.

An unusual, highly contrasting scepter amethyst isolated on top of matrix consisting of gray quartz crystals and feldspar. In China, although on of the world's most significant country where minerals originate in both extraordinary quality and quantity, amethysts, especially those of remarkable aesthetics, are relatively rare.

A beautiful cluster of a Russian garnet with sharp crystal faces and edges. Russian specimens are becoming more difficult to obtain due to partial ban and low volume export and most of the Russian minerals found on today's world market are those recycled from old private collections.

Rogerley Mine in Weardale, England, is by all means one of the most famous and classic localities for fluorite. Distinct green fluorites exhibit strong fluorescence, often strong enough to be partly glowing blue in natural daylight. This particular specimen features two distinct twinned fluorite crystals among with smaller, yet complete galena crystals.

Pakistani aquamarines are without a doubt the most aesthetic in the entire World. One of the most distinct features that makes them so famous is the crystal clarity and the way they are often perfectly protruding out of contrasting matrix, usually consisting of quartz and feldspar. This particular specimen from Shigar Valley is a great miniature example of these distinct features that separate Pakistani aquamarines from those found elsewhere in the World.

A cute miniature French azurite cluster from a classic locality of Rhône-Alpes. The rich mid-blue color and distinct crystal faces makes the cluster pretty attractive.