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Enjoy !!
No.
Vaux Bol 5071 From the new find of 2006, this is undoubtedly one of the most
significant and momentous discoveries ever made at this locality in
the last 20 years. Not since the days of World War II has there been
such a remarkable find of this material. These are simply put, some
of the largest overall Vauxite specimens in the world, but the
greatest aspect of these pieces is two-fold. First, the majority of
the specimens feature four phosphate species which is incredibly
rare. The second significant attribute of these specimens is the
fact that they formed on a solid Quartz-Diorite porphyry rock
matrix, and not crumbly clay (after decomposed Allophane) which
means that they are much sturdier than previous Vauxite specimens,
so the pieces can be handled and displayed with ease. Now you must
note that despite the sturdy matrix, the crystals themselves are
somewhat brittle and still must be handled with care. This specimen
features excellent, medium blue color, radiating addgregates of
Vauxite associated with micro fibrous "strands" of the super rare
phosphate Metavauxite, plus tabular micro crystals of Paravauxite
and small whitish spheres of Wavellite which means that this piece
is a dream for phosphate collectors. I have photographed the tiny
crystals under the microscope to show how delicate and attractive
they truly are. There are also some fine quality Quartz crystals on
this specimen, which is really a nice touch to this already amazing
piece. Lastly, there is one isolated Pyrite cube on the specimen, so
you've got six species on a single piece. To top it all off, the
specimen is crystallized on both sides meaning that it was a
protruding "rib" in the pocket. This is a MAJOR find of these
incredibly rare minerals, the likes of which I've never seen from
Bolivia, and will more than likely never see again. This piece is
from the TYPE LOCALITY for Vauxite, Paravauxite and Metavauxite
which were first discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins in
this mine and were first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy.
Locality: San
Jose vein, Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi
Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 10.4 x 8.7 x 2.3 cm.
No.
Vaux Frank Bol 5071 From the new find of 2006, this is undoubtedly one of the most
significant and momentous discoveries ever made at this locality in
the last 20 years. Not since the days of World War II has there been
such a remarkable find of this material. These are simply put, some
of the largest overall Vauxite specimens in the world, but the
greatest aspect of these pieces is two-fold. First, the majority of
the specimens feature four phosphate species which is incredibly
rare. The second significant attribute of these specimens is the
fact that they formed on a solid Quartz-Diorite porphyry rock
matrix, and not crumbly clay (after decomposed Allophane) which
means that they are much sturdier than previous Vauxite specimens,
so the pieces can be handled and displayed with ease. Now you must
note that despite the sturdy matrix, the crystals themselves are
somewhat brittle and still must be handled with care. This specimen
features excellent, medium blue color, radiating addgregates of
Vauxite associated with micro fibrous "strands" of the super rare
phosphate Metavauxite, plus tabular micro crystals of Paravauxite
and small whitish spheres of Wavellite which means that this piece
is a dream for phosphate collectors, but the most significant aspect
of this specimen is the fact that it is associated with silvery
blades and spherical aggregates of the ultra rare sulfosalt,
Franckeite !! There were only a handful of these specimens
associated with Franckeite, and this one is by far the biggest and
the best. I have photographed the tiny crystals under the microscope
to show how delicate and attractive they truly are. There are also
some fine quality Quartz crystals on this specimen, which is really
a nice touch to this already amazing piece. So you've got six
species on a single specimen, which is not very commong for Bolivian
minerals. Franckeite is not found associated many colorful species
(usually it is found in association with other sulfides and
sulfosalts), and this is the ONLY locality in the world where you
will find Franckeite associated with any of the "Vauxite" species,
let alone all three of them !! This is a MAJOR find of these
incredibly rare minerals, the likes of which I've never seen from
Bolivia, and will more than likely never see again. This piece is
from the TYPE LOCALITY for Vauxite, Paravauxite and Metavauxite
which were first discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins in
this mine and were first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy. A
remarkably rare association specimen from this storied locality.
Locality:
San Jose vein, Siglo XX
mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 15.6 x 11.9 x 3.6 cm.
No.
Ameth Bol 5071 Bolivia is not necessarily known for producing colorful species,
let alone gem crystals. This discovery of Amethyst in the Potosi
district of Bolivia has produced some superb quality, though not
widely known specimens from an uncommon "Alpine type" deposit. This
specimen is a great cabinet size piece consisting of sharp,
GEM/gemmy, highly lustrous, purple, scepter and simple prismatic
crystals of Amethyst associated with gemmy, white/colorless,
modified scalenohedra of Calcite with underlain forest-green color
"Chlorite" on matrix. These crystals are superb quality, and I'm
certain that many Quartz collectors do not have one of these in
their collections. For Bolivia, this is a very unique discovery, so
don't dismiss this specimen as simply "another Amethyst". Do not
miss out on this opportunity because these specimens came out
quickly and disappeared quickly, which sometimes can lead one to
believe that this might have been a one time find. Locality: San Jose vein, Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo
Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 10.4 x 8.7 x 2.3 cm.
No.
Parav Bol 5071 These crystals are
some of the most beautiful phosphates in the world. They are highly
prized for their rarity and beauty. This particular piece features
superb, good sized, incredibly rare, sharp, lustrous, parallel growths
of light green crystals of Paravauxite associated with tan colored
crystals of Sigloite crystals covering minor iron-stained, micro
Wavellite on matrix. Sigloite forms as the result of the alteration of
Paravauxite. The piece is from the type locality for both species ! Mark
Chance Bandy described Paravauxite crystals in his book "Mineralogy of
Llallagua, Bolivia". He states that "Paravauxite is the most abundant of
all the 'Vauxites' from this mine," and with that said, you almost never
see specimens available on the market, and it is virtually unheard of to
see both Paravauxite and Sigolite together. This piece is a great
example of the prismatic, sheaf-like parallel growths that Mr. Bandy
described. It is a good quality, full size thumbnail specimen which is
not easy to find as most thumbnails from this locality are either badly
damaged or host very small crystals. Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi
Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 2.5 x 2.1 x 1.2 cm.
No.
Mon Bol 5071
Monazite gets its name from the Greek word "monazein", which means "to
be alone", in allusion to its isolated crystals and their rarity when
first found. Here we have an excellent specimen consisting of very well
crystallized, ridiculously rare, sharp, small, lustrous, gemmy, twinned
and single crystals of orange-pink Monazite-(Ce) in a gemmy Quartz-lined
vug on matrix. There are a few more Monazite crystals outside of the vug,
but the best crystals are definitely inside. I've photographed the
crystals under the microscope to better depict the excellent form and
ostensible beauty. Monazite-(Ce) is usually found in granitic pegmatites,
but these crystals are found in hydrothermal tin veins where there is an
absolute absence of Thorium (usually a trace element in Monazite). It is
very difficult to obtain any specimens of this incredibly beautiful and
rare phosphate, especially in gemmy crystals like those exhibited on
this specimen. This piece is from the same mine where similar material
was discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins, and first
described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy over 50 years ago. It is
unbelievably rare to find top quality matrix specimens of Monazite-(Ce)
from any locality in Bolivia or anywhere else in the world. Monazite-(Ce)
from most localities is dark and opaque and rarely bright and gemmy like
the crystals on this specimen. Lastly, these crystals exhibit a color
change effect showing a fine orange-pink color in some lighting, i.e.,
sunlight and switch to virtually colorless in fluorescent lighting. Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi
Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 6.5 x 4.8 x 3.1 cm.
No.
Mon Bol 5072 Monazite gets its
name from the Greek word "monazein", which means "to be alone", in
allusion to its isolated crystals and their rarity when first found.
Here we have a superb specimen consisting of very well crystallized,
ridiculously rare, sharp, small, lustrous, gemmy, twinned and single
crystals of orange-pink Monazite-(Ce) in a gemmy Quartz-lined vug on
matrix. There are a few more Monazite crystals outside of the vug, and
the reverse side of the piece has a small association of spherical,
cream-colored Wavellite with the Monazite crystals as well. I've
photographed the crystals under the microscope to better depict the
excellent form and ostensible beauty. Monazite-(Ce) is usually found in
granitic pegmatites, but these crystals are found in hydrothermal tin
veins where there is an absolute absence of Thorium (usually a trace
element in Monazite). It is very difficult to obtain any specimens of
this incredibly beautiful and rare phosphate, especially in gemmy
crystals like those exhibited on this specimen. This piece is from the
same mine where similar material was discovered along the Contacto and
San Jose veins, and first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy over 50
years ago. It is unbelievably rare to find superb quality matrix
specimens of Monazite-(Ce) from any locality in Bolivia or anywhere else
in the world. Monazite-(Ce) from most localities is dark and opaque and
rarely bright and gemmy like the crystals on this specimen. Lastly,
these crystals exhibit a color change effect showing a fine orange-pink
color in some lighting, i.e., sunlight and switch to virtually colorless
in fluorescent lighting. Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi
Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 9.0 x 5.2 x 5.0 cm.
No.
Bor Bol 5071
The locality at Alto Chapare is probably best known for its unique
"blue" Danburite specimens, but one of the other celebrated species from
this locality is Boracite. Perhaps some of the most well known Boracite
crystals in the world are found at Bernburg in Germany, but despite the
fine quality, they are typically small. The Boracite crystals from
Chapare reach a few centimeters on an edge, while still exhibiting sharp
faces and adequate translucency. Boracites from Chapare are often more
blue in color as opposed to greener hued crystals from Germany. This
piece hosts a lovely cubic crystal of Boracite with well defined faces
and a matte luster on an altered sedimentary rock matrix. It is a good
quality Boracite crystal for this locality, and matrix specimens are
exceptionally scarce, as most crystals tend to fall off the sometimes
unstable matrix. I will point out that the crystal on this specimen is
secure and well embedded into the matrix. I have been chasing after
these specimens for years, and they have been exceedingly diffiicult to
obtain, so I cannot promise that I will have more of them in the future. Locality: Alto Chapare District, Chapare Province, Cochabamba
Department, Bolivia Specimen Size: 1.9 x 1.9 x 1.2 cm.
No.
Bor Bol 5072
The locality at Alto Chapare is probably best known for its unique
"blue" Danburite specimens, but one of the other celebrated species from
this locality is Boracite. Perhaps some of the most well known Boracite
crystals in the world are found at Bernburg in Germany, but despite the
fine quality, they are typically small. The Boracite crystals from
Chapare reach a few centimeters on an edge, while still exhibiting sharp
faces and adequate translucency. Boracites from Chapare are often more
blue in color as opposed to greener hued crystals from Germany. This
piece hosts a rather large cubic crystal of Boracite with well defined
faces and a matte luster on an altered sedimentary rock matrix. The
crystal is contacted on one side, but a Boracite crystal this size from
any locality is significant, regardless of any impairment. It is still a
good quality Boracite crystal for this locality, and matrix specimens
are exceptionally scarce, as most crystals tend to fall off the
sometimes unstable matrix. I will point out that the crystal on this
specimen is secure and well embedded into the matrix. I have been
chasing after these specimens for years, and they have been exceedingly
diffiicult to obtain, so I cannot promise that I will have more of them
in the future. Locality: Alto Chapare District, Chapare Province, Cochabamba
Department, Bolivia Specimen Size: 3.0 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm.
No.
Lud Bol 5071
The great mine at Huanuni is one of the most interesting sights to see
in the Bolivian mining landscape. This mine is known for its unique
prismatic and "drillbit" twinned Cassiterite crystals, along with
various phosphates, sulfides and assorted species. This piece is a
magnificent miniature size display specimen of this rare iron phosphate
consisting of a wonderful, sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich green, layered,
doubly-terminated crystal group of Ludlamite aesthetically perched upon
gemmy, golden scalenohedral Siderite crystals which are sitting upon
cubic Pyrite matrix. The piece is crystallized on both sides. This is
one of the more unique and attractive Ludlamite specimens that I have
offered in years. This piece actually comes from my father's personal
collection, and is one of the best pieces in this size that he kept.
There are truly about 7 localities in the world the produce fine
crystallized Ludlamite specimens. All of these localities, except for
Huanuni and now defunct, and Huanuni is not even producing specimens
since it has been overtaken by COMIBOL which does not permit miners to
collect and remove specimens. PLEASE NOTE: There have been no more of
these specimens found in the last 6 years from Huanuni, and it is a
possibility there will never be any more, so don't miss out on a very
good quality piece from a classic Bolivian locality! Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province, Oruro
Department, Bolivia. Specimen Size: 4.0 x 2.7 x 1.2 cm.
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