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7400:
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Beryl (variety Aquamarine)
Erongo Mountain, Usakos and Omaruru Districts, Erongo
Region, Namibia
4.2 x 2.7 x 2.1 cm (1.7 x 1.1 x 0.8 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
A V-shaped group of two doubly-terminated
aquamarine crystals. Each is translucent at the base, which transitions
to a transparent, gemmy, light blue termination. Both of these
terminations are sharp and smooth. The opposite end of each crystal
features a termination which appears to be a healed break. An 8 mm
long, doubly terminated schorl crystal is partly embedded in the larger
crystal's termination. Also are a few opaque, off-white microcline
crystal groups. One very tiny chip on the top termination of the
smaller crystal, otherwise no damage.
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7791:
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Vanadinite - $20
Mibladen, Midelt, Khénifra Province, Morocco
8.8 x 7.0 x 2.4 cm (3.5 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches)
Specimen status: Available Click
here to order
A rich coverage of red-brown, hexagonal,
tabular vanadinite crystals on matrix. Individual crystals sharp and
mostly opaque, with moderate to good luster, and reach 4 mm across.
Sits nicely for display as shown without need for a stand. A few
missing crystals, mostly around the edges, but no significant damage.
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8033:
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Brookite
Kharan, Balochistan, Pakistan
4.9 x 4.7 x 2.6 cm (1.9 x 1.9 x 1.0 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
A lustrous brookite blade sits among
colorless quartz, all on a rock matrix. The brookite is 1.4 cm across,
and has minor edge chipping. Could probably be trimmed to a good
thumbnail; the brookite blade is thick enough to survive the trim with
some care. I considered making this trim, but decided against it
because it sits well for display as shown without need for a stand. An
good example of this species from this locality.
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8194:
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Fluorapatite, Muscovite, and Albite
Paprok
Mine, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
5.2 x 3.9 x 3.4 cm (2.0 x 1.5 x 1.3 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
An opaque but highly crystalline albite
matrix hosts an elongated muscovite crystal group and a tabular pink
fluorapatite crystal. The muscovite is pearly, light brown, and mostly
opaque. The fluorapatite is 2 cm across and opaque, with bright yellow
fluorescence under both shortwave and longwave UV (third picture).
Numerous display angles possible. No damage.
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8625:
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Augelite, Pyrite, and Quartz
Tazna Mine, Cerro Tazna, Atocha-Quechisla District,
Potosí Department, Bolivia
4.7 x 2.9 x 2.3 cm (1.9 x 1.1 x 0.9 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
A ring of bright pyrite crystals hosts
sharp, colorless augelite crystals, and a scattering of tiny quartz
crystals. The pyrites are roughly dodecahedral, and reach 1.4 cm
across. The augelites, range from opaque to transparent, and reach 1.1
cm across. Some contacted areas on the pyrites and a few chips on the
augelites.
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8766:
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Calcite - $35
Llugarín, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
9.2 x 8.2 x 5.9 cm (3.6 x 3.2 x 2.3 inches)
Specimen status: Available Click
here to order
A cluster of translucent to opaque
calcite crystals, with well-formed 'Mercedes Benz' terminations, and
brown phantoms (typical for the locality). Luster is good. The largest
single crystal is about 7 cm long. A few minor chips and scratches are
noted, but otherwise the specimen is free of damage. Sits for display
at several angles without need for a stand.
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8855:
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Sphalerite - $18
Tri-state District, Oklahoma/Kansas/Missouri
5.5 x 4.7 x 3.2 cm (2.2 x 1.9 x 1.3 inches)
Specimen status: Available Click
here to order
A cluster of lustrous, deep red-brown
sphalerite crystals reaching 1.5 cm on sphalerite/galena matrix.
Individual crystals are roughly tetrahedral with curved faces, and
translucent to mostly opaque. Some scattered edgewear is noted. A good
example of this mineral from the Tri-state District.
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8969:
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Dioptase and Conichalcite
Cobra Mine, Pampa Nazca, Ica Department, Peru
7.0 x 3.9 x 3.7 cm (2.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
Clusters of deep green glittering
dioptase crystals accented with apple green conichalcite microcrystals,
on matrix. The dioptase crystals are mostly translucent to opaque,
occur in singles or clusters (resembling bushes, as we see in in the
third and fourth pictures), and reach 6 mm in length. The contrast of
the two greens on a dark matrix is aesthetic. The specimens sits nicely
for display without need for a stand. A few incomplete dioptase
crystals, but no major damage. A great example from this uncommon
locality to add to your dioptase or Peru collection, or just to add a
splash of green to your display cabinet.
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9170:
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Fluorite, Scheelite, Beryl, and Muscovite
Mt Xuebaoding, Pingwu County, Mianyang Prefecture,
Sichuan Province, China
4.0 x 4.0 x 2.6 cm (1.6 x 1.6 x 1.0 inches)
Specimen status: Sold
This interesting association specimen
features a colorless fluorite crystal (octahedral with cubic
modifications), 3.2 cm in its largest dimension. The butterscotch
scheelite is opaque but lustrous, 2.4 cm across, with bright blue-white
shortwave UV fluorescence (second picture). In the muscovite along the
edge is a colorless and mostly transparent beryl crystal, showing the
tabular crystal morphology (compressed along the c-axis) common to
beryls in this deposit. The muscovite is a bit worn, and the fluorite
cleaved along the back (does not distract) and few tiny chips are noted
under magnification, otherwise no damage.
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