A cluster of deep green, opaque epidote crystals from the locality better known for its prolific production of globular prehnite. This cluster has a flat luster but the largest crystals are doubly terminated. The bottom termination of the largest crystal is incomplete due to contacting a chipping, But otherwise no major damage. The specimen has several display angles that do not require a stand.

A nearly flat but very bright, crudely crystallized copper specimen with scraps of intergrown matrix. The specimen was clearly cleaned at some point (it is very bright) but has not tarnished in the more than three years I have owned it. This leads me to believe it has been preserved in some way but I find no evidence of a coating of any sort. Arborescently aesthetic and free of damage.

Thin, orange-yellow, tabular wulfenite crystals on a carpet of sparkly, crystalline calcite. Individual wulfenites reach 4 mm across, and two of the three clusters are complete. Normally we might want a richer coverage of wulfenite, but on this specimen the paucity of wulfenites is pleasing. Something a bit different from a mine that is otherwise world-famous for its orange to brown, thick, tabular wulfenites. Sits for display as shown without the need for a stand.

A group of five light pink to lavender kunzite shards, etched and broken. The largest piece is 4.0 cm long. Representative of the locality, which is up the hill from the Oceanview Mine and the Elizabeth R Mines, and the source of some of the finest kunzite ever to come from southern California. These pieces pre-date 2008; the mine changed hands in 2011, and the mine is once again quite active.

A rich carpet of small but sparkly dioptase crystals on a quartzite matrix. Individual crystals reach about 1 mm. Very typical for the locality. Sits nicely for display as shown without need for a stand. Bright and free of damage.

A 1.5 cm, colorless and translucent fluorite cube sits amongst stacks of opaque, white, flattened 'poker chip' calcite crystals and light brown dolomite crystals. The faces of the fluorite are lightly frosted. Sits well for display as shown without need for a stand. A few incomplete calcites around the edges, otherwise no damage. The November-December 2011 issue of Mineralogical Record contains an excellent, extensive article on the Yaogangxian Mine.

A small slab of gypsum (a crystal cleavage fragment) with adhering dark matrix. Present in the matrix is a mass of deep ruby-red proustite, with a few distinct crystal faces contacting the gypsum. The specimen is probably from the 1997 discovery of this material, and is notable for the unusual gypsum/proustite association.

An opaque, lustrous, butterscotch-brown scheelite crystal, resembling a cluster of mountain peaks. Displays strong blue-white fluorescence under shortwave UV (second picture). Minor muscovite also present. Some scattered edgewear is noted, but no major damage. Very typical for this productive locality.

An opaque, butterscotch-brown scheelite crystal with good luster. Strong blue-white fluorescence under shortwave UV (second picture). Some contact points, but no significant damage. A typical Mt Xuebaoding scheelite specimen.

A nearly-complete, somewhat smoky quartz crystal hosts a few tourmaline crystals. The most interesting of these tourmalines is 1.3 cm in length, sharply terminated, and bicolor (pink at the base and green at the termination). For those of you who cannot afford one of the 25 cm pink tourmalines that made this locality famous a few years ago, here is a more affordable example.

A light greenish-yellow opaque brazilianite on a feldspar matrix pedestal. The brazilianite is complete, with blocky crystallization and modest luster. Not very exciting if this was a Brazilian brazilianite but quite nice for an **American** brazilianite. Displays nicely as shown without need for a stand. No damage to this rare beast.