A complex, mostly transparent gypsum crystal whose side faces are clear but the end faces have a somewhat frosty luster. Mindat does not list gypsum as occurring in Brumado, but the specimen was supplied by a highly respected Brazilian dealer (whose label accompanies the specimen), so I do not doubt the locality. A few rubs as expected with gypsum (it's very soft), but no significant damage.

From an area well-known for old coal strip mines comes this large and well-formed gypsum rhombohedron. Mostly transparent but somewhat included. A few minor scratches and rubs as expected with a minor as soft as this, otherwise no notable damage.

From a locality noted for spodumene crystals reaching 46 feet comes this non-descript mass of submetallic, black columbite. Nearly free of terminations, this specimen is best considered to be representative for the species or locality.

A small forest of sharply terminated, transparent to translucent quartz crystals leans over a group of purple, mostly transparent fluorite crystals. The fluorites have a purple skin, mostly colorless cores, and reach 8 mm along the edge. The fluorites are nested in a little bit of muscovite. A few of the quartzes are accented with small, white and opaque calcite crystals. A scattering of tiny green crystal (chamosite?) can also be found on the quartzes. One of the quartz terminations has some small chipping along its back, otherwise no damage to this nice mineral association specimen. Sits well for display as shown without a stand. The November/December 2011 issue of Mineralogical Record features an excellent article on this prolific mineral locality.

Deep red to brown siderite discoids form a rich carpet over most of the matrix 'wings'. No damage. Displays well at several different angles without the need for a stand. No damage.

A rich sample of sparkly, opaque descloizite crystals on a gossan matrix. The descloizite crystals are small, but have good luster, distinct crystal form, and are accompanied by minor calcite. Very typical for the locality. Displays well as shown without the need for a stand. The mine's name translates to 'laziness' in English.

This classic Yaogangxian combination specimen features transparent fluorite cubes, lustrous arsenopyrites, and a carpet of small calcite crystals. The fluorites reach 1.7 cm along the crystal edge, and (as is typical for fluorite) their color depends on the light source: they are light blue under daylight fluorescent lighting (used for the pictures you see here) but icy and colorless under xenon lighting. The arsenopyrites are bright and reach 9 mm in length. The matrix is an arsenopyrite/quartz/muscovite admixture. The specimen is free of damage, and sits as shown without a stand. The November/December 2011 issue of Mineralogical Record features an excellent article on this prolific mineral locality.

Small but gemmy tourmaline crystals poke out from a light lavender lepidolite/cookeite matrix. The tourmalines are pink and red, and at least one is bicolored. Most of the tourmalines are terminated. More tourmalines might be exposed by further, careful excavation. At least one small, water-clear, colorless topaz is also present. Multiple display angles are possible. Other than a few missing tourmaline terminations, the specimen is free of damage.

Velvety, opaque, jet-black dravite-schorl tourmaline crystal sprays rise to about 2.5 cm above the matrix. About half of the tourmalines have rough terminations, while the others are contacted or broken. Translucent to opaque quartz crystals, reaching about 1.6 cm and nearly all terminated, also rise from the matrix. Specimens from this locality are uncommon, especially in this size. Sits well for display as shown without a stand.

Velvety, opaque, jet-black dravite-schorl tourmaline crystal sprays rise to about 4.0 cm above the matrix. About half of the tourmalines have rough terminations, while the others are contacted or broken. Translucent to opaque quartz crystals, reaching about 1.4 cm and nearly all terminated, also rise from the matrix. Specimens from this locality are uncommon, especially in this size. This one needs a stand.

Velvety, opaque, jet-black dravite-schorl tourmaline crystal sprays rise to about 2.6 cm above the matrix. About half of the tourmalines have rough terminations, while the others are contacted or broken. Translucent to opaque quartz crystals, reaching about 8 mm and nearly all terminated, also rise from the matrix. Specimens from this locality are uncommon, especially in this size. This one needs a stand.

A lustrous, glittering and gemmy carpet of deep, pleasing orange-brown spessartine crystal on a quartz/feldspar matrix. Individual garnets reach 8 mm across. Also present are a few lightly smoky and mostly translucent quartz points, lightly frosted with, and included by tiny, golden spessartines. The specimen displays well as shown without need for a stand. Two of the quartz terminations are a bit rough, but otherwise no significant damage.