Locality: Tasna mine, Rosario section of Cerro Tasna, Atocha-Quechisla District, Nor Chichas Province, Potosi, Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 12.0 x 8.3 x 8.2 cm.
Largest Ferberite: 5.0 cm.

 

No. Ferb Bol 5072
Ferberite (Large twin) - $1495

The mine at Tasna has produced some of the finest Ferberite specimens in the world, easily rivaling the best pieces from the Panasqueira mine in Portugal or the Yaoganxian mine in China. The finest TWINNED Ferberites in the world come from this mine, and they simply have no rival from any world locality. This species was sometimes previously referred to as "Wolframite", which was supposed to be an intermediary species between Ferberite and Hubnerite, but has since been discredited. From the historic find of 2005 (virtually every piece from this find came through my hands) this particular piece represents one of the very finest quality and exceptionally large twinned crystals of Ferberite to date. It is a fantastic small cabinet size specimen with superb form and quality. This piece exhibits the classic, "butterfly" twinning of Ferberite along the a {100} face. It is an impressive, sharp, semi lustrous, aesthetic, jet-black twinned crystal with a gemmy prismatic Quartz crystal at the base. This specimen is displayable from several angles, and is quite hefty as Ferberites tend to be in this size. The piece is in exceptionally good condition, with virtually no damage to the diplay side, and it is complete on both the top and bottom of the twin unlike so many that are cleaved on one side. You just don't see these for sale in this size and quality. These Ferberite twins are highly sought after as this find set a new standard of excellence for twinned Ferberites around the world. Fine twins occur in only about 10 percent of all the specimens I've seen from this mine, and twins this size are virtually unheard of.

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No. Ferb Bol 5073
Ferberite (twin) - $275

The mine at Tasna has produced some of the finest Ferberite specimens in the world, easily rivaling the best pieces from the Panasqueira mine in Portugal or the Yaoganxian mine in China. The finest TWINNED Ferberites in the world come from this mine, and they simply have no rival from any world locality. This species was sometimes previously referred to as "Wolframite", which was supposed to be an intermediary species between Ferberite and Hubnerite, but has since been discredited. This specimen is from the historic find of 2005 (virtually every piece from this find came through my hands). This piece is a fantastic specimen with superb form and quality. This piece exhibits the classic, "butterfly" twinning of Ferberite along the a {100} face, and is somewhat of a "closed" twin and opposed to showing a wider reentrant angle. The piece features a very sharp, rather lustrous, aesthetic, jet-black twinned crystal with a few tabular blades of Ferberite of equal quality and several gemmy prismatic Quartz crystals at the base. The quality is top notch on this specimen as most piece were not nearly as sharp and brilliant as this little beauty. The piece is in exceptionally good condition, with virtually no to the twin itself. These Ferberite twins are highly sought after as this find set a new standard of excellence for twinned Ferberites around the world. Fine twins occur in only about 10 percent of all the specimens I've seen from this mine, and very rarely in this quality.

Locality: Tasna mine, Rosario section of Cerro Tasna, Atocha-Quechisla District, Nor Chichas Province, Potosi, Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 3.2 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm.

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No. Ferb Bol 5074
Ferberite with Arsenopyrite and Marcasite - $700

Please note that this specimen looks much better in person than the photos would indicate.  It was very difficult to photograph.  With that said, the mine at Tasna has produced some of the finest Ferberite specimens in the world, easily rivaling the best pieces from the Panasqueira mine in Portugal or the Yaoganxian mine in China. This species was sometimes previously referred to as "Wolframite", which was supposed to be an intermediary species between Ferberite and Hubnerite, but has since been discredited. From the historic find of 2005 (virtually every piece from this find came through my hands), here we see one of the finest association specimen of this material to come out. One rarely finds Ferberite associated with any species, let alone two species with good color contrast. This specimen was the only one of its kind from this major find. It features several top quality, sharp, highly lustrous, bladed, jet-black, "stepped" crystals of Ferberite which are associated with exceptionally sharp, gun metal color crystals of tabular Arsenopyrite and bright botryoidal groups of Marcasite. The habit of the Ferberite crystals themselves is like none other I've seen form this mine, and the Arsenpyrite crystals are as large and sharp as I've seen associated with any other Ferberite specimen. This piece is by far away one of the most impressive and highly attractive association specimens of this material. Virtually every crystal is in perfect condition, and the pictures do not do this piece justice. It may not be a large twin, but the quality is there on this piece, trust me.

Locality: Tasna mine, Rosario section of Cerro Tasna, Atocha-Quechisla District, Nor Chichas Province, Potosi, Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 12.5 x 9.8 x 3.8 cm.
Largest Ferberite: 2.0 cm.

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No. Cass Bol 5071
Cassiterite  - $350

Bolivia is probably best known for its Cassiterite specimens which are found in dozens upon dozens of mines in a multitude of habits. Cassiterite has been mined for tin ore in Bolivia for a long time, and the majority of the tin supplied to the U.S. during WWII came directly from the Bolivian tin mines. Almost every Cassiterite crystal from Bolivia is twinned in one way or another, though single crystals are found from time to time. With that said, I've never quite seen a cluster of twinned crystals like this in my entire time dealing with Bolivian minerals. This piece is comprised of dozens of superb quality, sharp, highly lustrous, jet-black, cyclic twinned crystals which are intergrown forming a unique "pine cone"-shaped aggregate. I can honestly say that this is one of the most intriguing Cassiterite specimens I've handled, especially from Huanuni, as most specimens like this are found at mines like Viloco. The piece is crystallized 3/4 of the way around, and is in very good condition overall. It is also a very cool novelty specimen that would fit into a Bolivian suite, a Cassiterite collection, a nice miniature collection or a general collection of unusual twins ! This is the only piece that I have to offer, and it may very well end up being another one of a kind specimen from this storied locality.

Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia

Specimen Size: 4.3 x 3.6 x 3.5 cm.

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No. Cass Bol 5072
Cassiterite with Quartz and Siderite - $250 (SOLD)

Bolivia has probably produced more tin than any other country in the world. Keep in mind that thousands of tons of tin ore were mined and exported to the United States from Bolivia to help with the war effort during WWII. The great tin mines at Viloco (sometimes called Araca) have produced some of the most magnficent Cassiterite specimens extant. Viloco is definitely one of the most classic of all Cassiterite localities in the world, and has stood the test of time against many other world locales. This piece is comprised of dozens of radiant, very sharp, gemmy, brown cyclic twinned crystals of Cassiterite associated with gem quality prismatic Quartz crystals and tan colored flattened rhombohedra of Siderite. Some of the Quartz crystals have a selective deposition of Pyrite on the prism faces. Viloco is the only mine in Bolivia that produces gem quality Cassiterite crystals, and these crystals show excellent zones of gemminess, but to find them associated with Quartz and Siderite is not very common as most specimens consist of only . There is only a little bit of damage on the far side of the piece, but still displays very well. I have a very difficult time obtaining fine quality Cassiterites such as this with multiple associations from Viloco, so do not miss out on this one.

Locality: Viloco mine, Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia

Specimen Size: 7.0 x 5.5 x 3.2 cm.
Largest Cassiterite Twin: 1.6 cm.

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No. Mag Bol 5072
Magnetite - $450 (SOLD)

Many collectors are familiar with Magnetite, but most of them do not have a superb example of the species in their collections. The most well known Magnetite specimens were found in the Binntal in the Swiss Alps nearly 50 years ago, and despite their impeccable quality, most specimens only feature a solitary crystal on matrix, usually in the 1 centimeter range. These new Bolivian Magnetite specimens are nearly on par with the Swiss pieces, and in some cases are superior, especially when it comes to the size of the crystals. Magnetite is often crude and dull from most localities, so to find sharp, lustrous crystals like this is a real treat. It must be noted that these are the finest Magnetite specimens available on the market today, and honestly the best that have been available in nearly half a century. Typically the Magnetite specimens from this find in Bolivia are closely grown together, and this is a great example of said material. The piece has excellent quality, remarkably large, razor sharp, highly lustrous, silvery black color, "Alpine-type" octahedra scattered all over this specimen on matrix. This piece truly has some of the greatest aesthetics, combined with some of the largest crystals that I've seen from this find. It is one of the finer small cabinet size specimens from the lot and will display very nicely. I will say that a few of the crystals have trivial nicks here and there, but they don't take away from the outward beauty of this specimen. Let me put it this way, if this piece were from the Swiss Alps, the damage would be insignificant as the sheer size of the crystals would be all the mattered to many collectors.

Locality: Cerro Huanaquino, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Specimen Size: 9.0 x 5.3 x 4.8 cm.
Largest Crystal: 2.8 cm. across !

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No. Mag Bol 5071
Magnetite - $400

Many collectors are familiar with Magnetite, but most of them do not have a superb example of the species in their collections. The most well known Magnetite specimens were found in the Binntal in the Swiss Alps nearly 50 years ago, and despite their impeccable quality, most specimens only feature a solitary crystal on matrix, usually in the 1 centimeter range. These new Bolivian Magnetite specimens are nearly on par with the Swiss pieces, and in some cases are superior, especially when it comes to the size of the crystals. Magnetite is often crude and dull from most localities, so to find sharp, lustrous crystals like this is a real treat. It must be noted that these are the finest Magnetite specimens available on the market today, and honestly the best that have been available in nearly half a century. Typically the Magnetite specimens from this find in Bolivia are closely grown together, and this is a great example of said material. The piece has excellent quality, remarkably large, razor sharp, highly lustrous, silvery black color, "Alpine-type" octahedra scattered all over this specimen on matrix. This piece truly has some of the greatest aesthetics, combined with some of the largest crystals that I've seen from this find. I will say that a few of the crystals have trivial nicks here and there, but they don't take away from the outward beauty of this specimen. Let me put it this way, if this piece were from the Swiss Alps, the damage would be insignificant as the sheer size of the crystals would be all the mattered to many collectors.

Locality: Cerro Huanaquino, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Specimen Size: 9.5 x 5.7 x 2.5 cm.
Largest Crystal: 2.0 cm. across !

To order this specimen click here

 

No. Mag 5073
Magnetite - $350

Many collectors are familiar with Magnetite, but most of them do not have a superb example of the species in their collections. The most well known Magnetite specimens were found in the Binntal in the Swiss Alps nearly 50 years ago, and despite their impeccable quality, most specimens only feature a solitary crystal on matrix, usually in the 1 centimeter range. These new Bolivian Magnetite specimens are nearly on par with the Swiss pieces, and in some cases are superior, especially when it comes to the size of the crystals. Magnetite is often crude and dull from most localities, so to find sharp, lustrous crystals like this is a real treat. It must be noted that these are the finest Magnetite specimens available on the market today, and honestly the best that have been available in nearly half a century. Typically the Magnetite specimens from this find in Bolivia are closely grown together, but this piece has superb isolation between the crystals. The piece has excellent quality, remarkably large, razor sharp, highly lustrous, silvery black color, "Alpine-type" octahedra which are associated with creamy Feldspar crystals on matrix. This piece truly has some of the greatest aesthetics, combined with some of the largest crystals that I've seen from this find. It is one of the finer small cabinet size specimens from the lot and will display very nicely. I will say that a few of the crystals have trivial nicks here and there, but they don't take away from the outward beauty of this specimen. Let me put it this way, if this piece were from the Swiss Alps, the damage would be insignificant as the sheer size of the crystals would be all the mattered to many collectors.

To order this specimen click here