Fine Mineral Specimens - Gallery I
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We've enjoyed working with these treasures, and we expect that you'll find some pleasure in browsing through our galleries. If you see something that interests you, be sure to read about how to purchase a specimen.
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Fluorite - $3950
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Prov., China
7.3 x 5.4 x 3.7 cm
MMB-685 - Lustrous, rich green fluorite cubes to 3.0 cm display multiple color zones that fluoresce purple in daylight...reminiscent of Rogerley fluorites from England. The fluorite crystals are in perfect condition and are more transparent than photos indicate. Associated minerals here include calcite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and quartz. A gorgeous Chinese specimen!
— custom lucite base
  
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Barite - SOLD
Huánuco Department, Peru
5.8 x 5.5 x 3.0 cm
MMB-683 - Measuring 3.6 cm across, this group of highly lustrous and transparent golden yellow barite crystals projects from its matrix, showing crystal terminations all around. These Peruvian barites from a recent find are among the most spectacular from anywhere in the world. Displays well from front or back.
  
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MMS-244 - Scattered across a well-crystallized feldspar matrix are multiple isolated, burgandy-red spessartine garnet crystals showing top luster. Doubly-terminated smoky quartz prisms make this quite a combination specimen. The piece is almost a complete floater, showing scant evidence of its attachment point on the back left side. A world-class specimen!
  
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Azurite with Malachite - SOLD
Tongshan Cu-Au deposit, Anhui Province, China
7.5 x 6.7 x 6.1 cm
MMS-196 - Surely ranking among the finest of Chinese azurites, this specimen features crystals to 3 cm showing a surprisingly vibrant blue color and sharp form. Most azurites from China are druses, and occasionally one finds a crystal to 2 cm...but 3 cm...outstanding! The piece is very three-dimensional and in top condition.
— ex Gail & Jim Spann Collection
  
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Faden Quartz - $550
Waziristan, NW Frontier Province, Pakistan
7.4 x 6.6 x 5.2 cm
MMB-684 - In this intriguing faden quartz specimen, the faden line runs a length of 6.4 cm and crosses from one group of stacked crystals to another group that is rotated roughly 30° from the first. Numerous other transparent, lustrous quartz prisms accompany the slightly tabular crystals hosting the faden line. Faden quartz forms by a process of rupturing and healing during crystal growth that leaves a thread of liquid and gas inclusions in the crystal called a faden line.
  
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Kämmererite - $950
Kop Krom Mine, Erzurum Prov., Turkey
4.6 x 5.2 x 4.4 cm
MMS-265 - Transparent crystals of magenta kammererite line the inside of a vug in this small cabinet specimen from the famous Kop Krom Mine of Turkey. Many years have passed since such specimens have come to market, and this is a good representation of this chromium rich variety of clinochlore.
  
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Wulfenite - SOLD
Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico
9.0 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm
MMB-626 - A rich array of caramel colored wulfenite crystals with "wet" luster and pristine edges runs from top to bottom of this specimen from Los Lamentos. The largest of the crystals, perched at the top, measures 3.3 cm tall and is 1.0 cm thick. Each crystal shows the "sandwich" zoning with gemmy, deeper orange middles between thin less translucent layers. These specimens are true classics!
— custom lucite base
  
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Titanite on Albite - SOLD
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
4.6 x 3.6 x 3.1 cm
MMG-1007 - Boasting top color for the species, gemmy, twinned crystals of titanite rest on an albite matrix in this world-class miniature. Titanite specimens from Italy are very rarely offered for sale at any time. This particular piece is pictured in the 2nd edition of the Encyclopedia of Minerals by Roberts, Rapp, et al.
  
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Quartz var. Citrine - SOLD
Siberia, Russia
14.6 x 8.6 x 8.5 cm
MMB-680 - This splendid grouping of quartz prisms shows a pleasing yellow color – natural color, mind you – combined with great aesthetics and transparency. Citrine quartz specimens from any locality are very rare to begin with, let alone from Russia and with this quality and size.
— custom lucite base
  
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Quartz on Shattuckite - $6500
Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia
7.2 x 6.2 x 5.5 cm
MMG-1004 - Rich royal blue spheres of glittering quartz-covered shattuckite fill a quartz vug in this outstanding small cabinet specimen from the new material coming out of Kaokoveld in Namibia. The shattuckite spheres each measure roughly 2.5 cm and are in perfect condition. As can be seen from the photo, the vug pinches closed and then re-opens in the back of the specimen. Crystallized quartz lines the vug along with the shattuckite. Spectacular!
  
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MMB-681 - Sharp, lustrous crystals of acanthite to 1.8 cm are partially coated by chalcopyrite, giving the specimen a very attractive peacock coloration. Several of the crystals have a slightly hoppered appearance. Attractive from any angle, this is an outstanding example of a silver mineral from the famous deposits of Guanajuato, Mexico. Specimens featured in Connoisseur's Corner, such as this piece, are rarely offered for sale.
  
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Diopside on Graphite - $1500
Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mts., Arusha, Tanzania
4.8 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm
MMG-1006 - A cluster of apple-green diopside crystals (to 3.1 cm), many of them doubly-terminated, adheres to a graphite matrix. As an added "bonus," a gemmy blue apatite crystal is perched at the intersection of several of the diopside crystals. Arguably the finest gem diopside crystals have been recovered recently from Merelani, the same general area as the Tanzanite deposits.
  
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Calcite on Dolomite - SOLD
La Florida Mine, Torrelavega, Spain
7.5 x 6.5 x 6.6 cm
MMB-682 - Resting on a matrix of dolomite, a jewel of a calcite crystal shows why specimens from La Florida Mine are sought after by calcite collectors and collectors of world-wide minerals alike. Lustrous and lightly striated, the 4.4 cm main crystal is also quite transparent. Scattered across the pink dolomite, smaller calcite crystals with an elongated form accentuate the main crystal.
  
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Spessartine Garnet - $1350
Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan
4.5 x 3.9 x 3.3 cm
MMG-1005 - Boasting a 3.4 cm main crystal, this cluster of well-formed orange spessartine crystals from Pakistan will cause you to do a double-take. Though high-quality red spessartine crystals have been coming from Pakistan for many years, orange crystals of any substantial quality are much rarer.
  
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Beryl var. Emerald - $2500
Peña Blanca Mine, Boyacá Dept., Colombia
7.8 x 4.7 x 5.0 cm
MMG-1003 - A pair of lustrous, gemmy emerald crystals (to 3.7 cm) contrasts nicely with its crystalized calcite matrix. No damage detracts from the appearance of the vibrant, "glowing" green emerald crystals (contacted on the lower portion).
  
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