Recently Handled Minerals

A large octahedral fluorite crystal, which is 51 mm across, perched on a lovely matrix covered with tiny, milky Quartz crystals. The faces of the fluorite look frosted and the intense green color shows a wonderful contrast to the matrix. No significant damages to report.

A really fine specimen from this quite recent discovery. Water-clear, glossy quartz crystals show sharp red phantoms inside each crystal. The main crystals formed a very aesthetic v-shape. No significant damages to report.

A spectacular cluster of intense green fluorite crystals featuring modified crystal habit. They show excellent translucency - only minor backlight helps to expose a wonderful range of colors, small bits of yellow are also present.

A purple fluorite perfectly sitting on pyrite and calcite matrix. The combination of colours is truly amazing and very eye-candy. In addition, the fluorite shows beautiful hoppered growth structures and nicely bevelled edges. No damage.

Super clear and deeply coloured smoky quartz in excellent shape and condition. Great luster all around.

Totally clear smoky quartz cluster on granite matrix. The piece comes from the famous Rufibach pocket and is in perfect condition all around.

This is a lovely miniature, featuring deep orange colour, nice contrast and great 3-dimensional composition. The special feature of specimens coming from this pocket is a clear zone along the outline of the crystals, whith minor inclusions of plattnerite, and a deep orange crystal core.

Large single Axinite crystal from Dodo, Polar Urals. Great clarity in places, fantastic luster, and razor sharp edges all around!

This is a gorgeous miniature from the very best find of the species ever made! The specimen features two V-shaped, thick and sturdy crystals in perfect arrangement. A few small side crystals add even more sparkle and interest. The colour and lustre are fantastic, and all terminations are pristine and free of damage. This is truly a very rare chance to get a killer world-class brochantite in miniature size!

What an amazing aquamarine! The crystal features a fantastic termination which is bevelled on all 6 sides, just a very small flat termination remains on top. The side edges show exceptionally fine etching patterns. No damage. The albite is crystalized equally fine, and it sets a wonderful contrast.

The matrix is nearly formed like a ball by tiny Feldspar crystals – they are white with touch of yellow and a significant dark stripe in the middle – even for a feldspar collector this would be an exciting specimen. On it an etched Tourmaline, etched and crystalized again – same effect as Volodarsk Heliodor. That is very special – usually an etched crystal would not be on Feldspat, the etching process would bring it off the matrix. Nearly all etched Tourmalines (and also these famous etched Auqas) from Brazil are always single crystals and not on matrix. The crystal (about 40 mm tall) shows uncountable sharp faces which are all highly lustrous, very uncommon habit for tourmaline. Also remarkable is the colour. At the base it is yellow to light green and at the top is shows cognac like colour, nearly orange. Yellow and orange are most rare for Tourmaline! Overall a great rarity, very unusual and great visual impact, very showy in several positions, colourful – an eye catcher and - although I did a good job with photography - it is better in person.

Beautiful gwindel from Pakistan. It is clear like glass, and the luster is excellent. Great condition and shape.