Mineral Classics - Bolivian Mix 1 7 2007

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No. Viv Bol 7071

Vivianite - $200

These relatively new Vivianite crystals have without question the best luster of any Vivianite specimens to date from this country, or virtually any other country. Another outstanding feature is the wonderful color contrast between the vivid emerald green of the Vivianite and the altered red sandstone matrix. These pieces have what I think is some of the best matrix for these crystals from Bolivia. It's not unstable like decomposing Limonite and it provides a much more appealing contrast than ordinary Pyrite. This particular piece features an absolutely beautiful, highly lustrous, sharp, gemmy, emerald green color, prismatic, textbook, "sword"-shaped crystal of Vivianite on metamorphosed Sandstone matrix. There were very few crystals with the quality of this piece in the lot. Keep in mind that over 75% of the specimens from this find have had SERIOUS damage problems. This one is in top condition for this material, and just look at how sharp and lustrous the crystal is.

John Sinkankas said this about Vivianite in his book, Mineralogy: "The goal of collectors in respect to Vivianite specimens, is to obtain single crystals from the Bolivian localities." John listed at least a dozen localities for Vivianite in his book and stressed that lustrous, gemmy crystals are almost impossible to obtain from any locality. He also states that the "crystals are seldom sharply terminated". The termination on the above specimen is very sharp and highly lustrous.

Locality: Tomokoni adit, near Cañutillos, Colavi, Saavedra Province, Potosi Department, 36 km NE of Potosi, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 3.5 x 2.8 x 2.4 cm.

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No. Viv Bol 7072
Vivianite - $150
These relatively new Vivianite crystals have without question the best luster of any Vivianite specimens to date from this country, or virtually any other country. Another outstanding feature is the wonderful color contrast between the vivid emerald green of the Vivianite and the altered red sandstone matrix. These pieces have what I think is some of the best matrix for these crystals from Bolivia. It's not unstable like decomposing Limonite and it provides a much more appealing contrast than ordinary Pyrite.

This particular piece features an absolutely beautiful, highly lustrous, sharp, GEM QUALITY, emerald green color, prismatic, textbook, "sword"-shaped crystal of Vivianite on metamorphosed Sandstone matrix. There were very few crystals with the quality of this piece in the lot. Keep in mind that over 75% of the specimens from this find have had SERIOUS damage problems. This one is in very good for this material, with only a few tiny nicks, but just look at how sharp, lustrous and GEMMY the crystal is.

John Sinkankas said this about Vivianite in his book, Mineralogy: "The goal of collectors in respect to Vivianite specimens, is to obtain single crystals from the Bolivian localities." John listed at least a dozen localities for Vivianite in his book and stressed that lustrous, gemmy crystals are almost impossible to obtain from any locality. He also states that the "crystals are seldom sharply terminated". The termination on the above specimen is very sharp and highly lustrous.

Locality: Tomokoni adit, near Canutillos, Colavi, Saavedra Province, Potosi Department, 36 km NE of Potosi, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 10.0 x 6.2 x 5.6 cm.

Vivianite Crystal: 3.0 cm.

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No. Parav Bol 7071

Paravauxite with Sigloite - $45

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 with a covering of tan colored Sigloite covering the backs of the Paravauxite crystals on minor 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 Sigloite together. This piece is a great example of the prismatic, sheaf-like parallel growths that Mr. Bandy described. It is a good quality 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: 2.1 x 1.7 x 0.9 cm.

Largest Crystal: 1.0 cm. long

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No. Parav Bol 7072

Paravauxite with Sigloite - $95

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 good sized, incredibly rare, sharp, lustrous 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 Sigloite together. This piece is a great example of the prismatic, sheaf-like parallel growths that Mr. Bandy described. It is a good quality specimen which is not easy to find as most pieces from this locality are not much bigger than thumbnail sized.

Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 3.7 x 3.5 x 1.5 cm.

Largest Crystal: 0.9 cm. long

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No. Wav Bol 7071

Wavellite - $65

Some of the most aesthetic and displayable specimens of Wavellite have come from the Siglo XX mine in Bolivia as described by Mark Bandy. This piece does not disappoint with several sparkling, grey green color, sphere-shaped radiating aggregates with Quartz on matrix. I recently obtained this material from a new find at Llallagua, and this is the first green Wavellite that I've seen from Siglo XX. It is a great change of pace from the typical yellow and white material. This is a good small cabinet size specimen of an uncommon mineral.   The majority of the Wavellite spheres are totally undamaged and very attractive. Do not miss out on owning one of these new green specimens of this well known material.

Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 6.7 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm.

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No. Wav Bol 7072
Wavellite (Large crystals !) - $150
This is a very impressive specimen of this often overlooked and sometimes under appreciated phosphate. This piece has some of the largest individual crystals of Wavellite that I have seen from Bolivia. Please keep in mind that this mineral typically forms in very thin needles that orient into radiating aggregates, but the orthorhombic crystals on this specimen are distinct and very thick for the species. This specimen consists of pale yellow (nearly colorless), lustrous, sharp crystals in spherical form associated with brass colored Stannite crystals and very unusual, small, white "spheres" of Augelite, which is extremely rare in my experience. I must stress that the Wavellite crystals are also gem quality, which is not common for the species. I have never seen the association of these three species from any other mine in Bolivia or the world for that matter.   You will have a very hard time finding individual crystals of Wavellite this size from any locality. The quality of the Wavellite crystals on this specimen are as fine as any I have seen from anywhere. This piece is from a one pocket find from 4 years ago, and I have not seen any more like it since that time. I held this one back when the find was made, in the hopes that there would be more. Now I'm fairly certain that there will not be any more of these amazing Wavellite specimens again, so do not miss out on this unique and highly displayable phosphate association specimen.

Locality: Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 2.7 x 2.0 x 1.3 cm.

Wavellite Sphere: 1.0 cm.

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No. Ameth Bol 7071

Quartz (variety "Amethyst") (scepter and "reverse" scepters) on Calcite - $125

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 miniature size piece consisting of sharp, GEM/gemmy, highly lustrous, purple, scepter and rare "reverse" scepter habit crystals of Amethyst sitting atop gemmy, white/colorless, rhombohedra of Calcite on a thin layer of 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: Esperanza Mine, Bombori, Nor Potosi Prov., Potosi Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 4.7 x 3.8 x 2.0 cm.

Largest Crystal: 1.5 cm. long

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No. CuPs Bol 7072

Copper (pseudomorph after Aragonite) - $75

Here is a wonderful "thumbnail" size specimen of the famous pseudomorphs of Copper after Aragonite from Corocoro. These "floater" specimens are well known from Bolivia for their great form and color, and this piece has the classic and unique hexagonal form that has made these pieces "classics". I recently received a small parcel of these pseudomorphs, and I'm finally throwing a few of them on my website. This particular specimen is a very fine example of this material, and I know whoever purchases this piece will be very happy.

Locality: Corocoro District, Pacajes Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia.

Specimen Size: 1.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 cm.

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No. Bourn Bol 7071

Bournonite - $295

Over the last 10 years or so, Machacamarca has produced some of the best Bolivian Bournonite specimens ever found. The diversity of habits and superb quality of the crystals that have come out over the years has set this mine apart as one of the premier localities for the species. Most people are familiar with the new Chinese Bournonites on the market, and because Bolivia does not receive nearly as much attention, I want people to know that I have personally handled some of the finest Bournonite specimens from any locality in the Western Hemisphere that came from this mine. This piece features dozens of modified tabular crystals of Bournonite with a lovely, gun metal luster sitting atop a mound of micro crystallized Quartz and associated with small Pyrite "balls". There are some additional complexly crystallized Bournonites on the specimen which are a testament to the fact that many of the Bournonite specimens from this mine show multiple crystal habits on the same specimen.

Locality: Viboras section, Machacamarca, near Colavi, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Specimen Size: 10.8 x 9.0 x 5.7 cm.

Largest Bournonite Crystal: 2.0 cm. across

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Click here for
New Specimens

Bolivian Phosphates, etc.
Bolivian Sulfides & Rarities
Bolivian Cassiterite, Ferberite, Magnetite

Bolivian Assorted Minerals
$400 or Less Page

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© 2009 Brian R. Kosnar
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