Fine Mineral Specimens - Gallery II           

Dioptase on Calcite - $7500
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
6.0 x 5.2 x 4.8 cm

MMY-1216 - Whether you are looking for isolated, doubly-terminated dioptase crystals (to 1.6 cm) or a flashy cluster of deep green dioptase, this specimen has it. The crystallized white calcite matrix, unique to Tsumeb specimens, provides splendid contrast. Were it not for a few tiny dings – you'll have to hunt for them – this piece would be $17500 or more.

— custom lucite base

Fluorite on Smoky Quartz - SOLD
Mt. Blanc Massif, Chamonix, France
7.9 x 5.6 4.0 cm

MMS-242 - Four rose-pink octahedral fluorite crystals perch on the termination of a smoky quartz floater crystal – the back of the quartz is wonderfully unique with a whole miniature mountain range of quartz points reflecting light back at the viewer. The transparency of the fluorite and the quartz has not been captured in the photo. Found by intrepid strahlers in clefts on the side of high Alpine peaks, pink fluorite is very rare and treasured by collectors.

Apatite with Arsenopyrite - SOLD
Panasqueira, Castelo Branco Dist., Portugal
4.2 x 2.8 x 2.7 cm

MMS-243 - This exquisite miniature features a pristine, lustrous blue apatite crystal that formed upon crystals of arsenopyrite. The apatite is highly transparent, revealing the arsenopyrite that extends into the crystal. Perched as it is on the matrix, all eight sides of the apatite crystal are visible.

Bournonite on Quartz - $2950
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province., China
6.5 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm

MMY-1218 - Tucked among several transparent quartz crystals is a well-formed bournonite crystal with mirror-bright luster. Chinese bournonite specimens have certainly caused quite a stir in the collecting world as they are arguably equal with or better than pieces from England and Bolivia. Due to safety concerns and the scarcity of specimens, access to the older levels in the mine where these are found is no longer allowed.

— custom lucite base

Aquamarine on Schorl - $350
Erongo Region, Namibia
5.1 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm

MMB-674 - Forming a "V" a pair of transparent, fully terminated aquamarine crystals rests on the lustrous, sharp termination of a schorl crystal in this gorgeous association piece from the Erongo Region of Namibia. Several smaller, well-formed schorl crystals are found on the aqua on the right. We've seen quite a few aqua/schorl combination pieces, but this specimen has an aesthetic quality seldomly shared by others of its kind.

Dioptase with Shattuckite - SOLD
Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia
4.8 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm

MMB-676 - Rich, emerald green dioptase crystals (to 1 cm) completely fill a small vug along with velvet spheres of shattuckite, radial sprays of malachite, and plancheite in this miniature specimen from Kaokoveld.

Acanthite - $1450
Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico
3.5 x 3.1 x 2.0 cm

MMS-254 - With sharp, hoppered crystals, this lustrous acanthite specimen from the classic silver mining area in Mexico is a killer miniature. The piece is complete all around – in fact, one is hard-pressed to decide which way to display the piece. Much more three-dimensional in person.

Spodumene var. Hiddenite - $5500
Hiddenite, Alexander Co., North Carolina, USA
3.7 x 0.9 x 0.6 cm

MMS-236 - From the type locality for the variety, this 3.7 cm long transparent hiddenite crystal has a light green base followed by a light yellow band and a emerald green termination. The specimen is well-crystalized and lustrous...a lovely example of this rare variety of spodumene.

Mimetite - $3500
Congresso-Leon, San Pedro Corralitos, Mexico
5.5 x 4.3 x 3.4 cm
- ex Wendell Wilson, Benny Fenn Collections

MMS-166 - Vibrancy, shimmering luster, three-dimensionality...all combine here to make this a top-notch classic mimetite from the San Pedro Corralitos area of Mexico. The varying sizes of the botryoidal crystalization adds an aesthetic touch that must be seen to appreciate. Though mimetite specimens from Mexico flooded the market decades ago, very few possess both the rich yellow color and the wet luster that this piece displays.

Epidote with Quartz - $175
Capelinha, Jequitinhonha Valley, Brazil
7.9 x 4.8 x 3.3 cm

MMB-688 - A terminated, dark green epidote crystal measuring 6.5 cm is accentuated with quartz prisms and a number of other epidote crystals. The contrasting colors of the minerals makes for an attractive small cabinet specimen.