|
Fine Mineral Specimens - Gallery XII
|
 |
 |
|
Grossular Garnet - $7500
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada
5.4 x 4.2 x 3.0 cm
MMS-104 - Numerous transparent grossular crystals lie isolated on a bed of prismatic yellowish-green diopside. Sharply formed and striated, garnets from the Jeffrey Mine are considered by many to be the finest gem grossulars in the world. Actually an asbestos quarry, the locality is mostly inactive, meaning top specimens only rarely come to market from private collections.
  
|
| |
|
|
Sulfur on Aragonite - $1750
Miniera Cozzodisi, Casteltermini, Sicily, Italy
6.5 x 4.8 x 3.3 cm
- ex Francis Benjamin Collection
MMS-140 - This isolated, canary-yellow sulfur crystal is unusually gemmy and sharp, showing 20 distinct faces. Numerous other bitumen-coated crystals mingle among radial clusters of white aragonite. Rare in such quality, this well-balanced miniature is truly worthy of competitive display.
 
|
| |
|
|
Tanzanite on Selenite - $3950
Merelani, Umba Valley, Arusha, Tanzania
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 cm
MMB-513 - The gem tanzanite crystal formed in a most unusual place: on a selenite matrix! To appreciate the rarity of this combination, one must first consider that very few matrix tanzanite specimens of any quality have been taken from the mines of Merelani. Of those, the matrix is almost always graphite. Selenite...(almost) unheard of.
  
|
| |
|
|
Galena, Barite, Fluorite - $1150
Elmwood mine, Carthage, Smith Co., Tennessee
3.5 x 3.3 x 2.9 cm
MMB-506 - A study in contrasting colors and textures, the etched surface of the purple fluorite accentuates the metallic luster of the euhedral galena crystal. Barite arrowhead crystals add a third dimension, making this a choice, competition-quality miniature.
 
|
| |
|
|
Beryl var. Aquamarine & Fluorite - $7950
near Aliabad, Nagar, Gilgit, Pakistan
12.0 x 8.2 x 5.0 cm
- ex Irv Brown Collection
MMS-122 - A superb combination piece from Pakistan showcasing a pristine, gemmy and green cuboctahedral fluorite crystal (3.2cm) tilted slightly toward a well-formed, transparent aquamarine (3.5cm) all on a bed of unblemished muscovite. A surprise awaits under the fluorite visible in the photo--a yellow fluorite is tucked away among the muscovite blades.
  
|
| |
|
|
Silver on Copper - $2350
Wolverine Mine, Houghton Co., Michigan
3.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 cm
MMS-154 - Sharp, twinned silver crystals rise from a matrix of bright native copper. The positioning of the silver and the overall economy of the piece--nothing extra included, nothing missing--make this a competition-quality miniature.
  
|
| |
|
|
Wulfenite w/ Dolomite - $4500
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
9.6 x 6.2 x 5.7 cm
MMS-110 - In addition to the sharp window-pane wulfenite crystals (to 2.0cm), pale gray, bladed dolomite rosettes are distributed on a dark green botryoidal malachite layer likely pseudomorphed after tennantite. Close examination reveals prismatic azurite also likely pseudomorphed after tennantite. Considered by many collectors to be the most important ore body ever discovered, Tsumeb produced a wealth of fantastic specimens.
 
|
| |
|
|
Vanadinite - $1500
Mibladen, Midelt, , Morocco
6.5 x 5.8 x 3.9 cm
MMS-108 - Rich red translucent blooms of large vanadinite crystals rise from the matrix in glorious display. Advanced collectors know that vanadinites from Mibladen are not particularly rare. However, with this level of color and luster, along with contrasting matrix, this specimen is a masterpiece, stunning in person from all angles.
  
|
| |
|
|
Calcite - SOLD
Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy kray, Russia
5.3 x 4.8 x 2.6 cm
MMB-512 - Well-formed and glassy with light striations, this pleasing miniature specimen illustrates what made Dal'negorsk calcites famous some years ago. The specimen is significantly more transparent in person and is attractive from multiple angles.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
