"Mineral Classics" - Dealing in fine minerals and gems for over 35 years ! Online for nearly 10 years !


Welcome to "Mineral Classics" - - - We. hope that you enjoy viewing the specimens we are offering for sale. Remember, "Mineral Classics" pays for shipping on Priority Mail orders in the U. S. Look for our upcoming web updates this summer featuring minerals from Colorado, Bolivia, China, Pakistan, Mali, Vietnam, India and many more! Also, check out our new gem and jewlery web pages which we are currently expanding.



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Rare Gemstones!!
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Gemstone # Phospho158
Name: Phosphophyllite
Locality: Cerro Rico, Bolivia
Weight: 1.57 cts
Size: 12.74 x 7.49 mm
Price per Carat: $800
Price For Stone: $1,256

Cut: Free Form
Color: Vibrant Blue Green
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: YES
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Phosphophyllite is one of the "Holy Grails" of rare gems.  The material is one of the ultimate combinations of rarity and beauty.  Virtually all of the gem quality Phosphophyllite in the world is found at the Unificada mine in great mountains of Cerro Rico the famous silver mining district of Potosí, Bolivia.  The supply has dwindled to say the least over the last 60 years since the initial discovery of the mineral at this mine.  This stone is actually from the "old" material, and was in our father's collection for years.  He had set it aside to be cut one day, and once Brett was ready, he decided that he was going to be the one to cut it.  Brett cut this stone in November of 2008.  It is an impressive and attractive stone of this highly sought after material.  PLEASE NOTE that the photos simply DO NOT DO THIS STONE JUSTICE.  It is much more attractive in person.  The fact that the stone is over one carat makes all the difference as gems are not considered true collector quality until they reach this size.  

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Gemstone # Phospho039
Name: Phosphophyllite
Locality: Bolivia
Weight: 0.39 cts
Size: 6.83 x 4.81 mm
Price per Carat: $800
Price For Stone: (SOLD)

Cut: Free Form
Color: Vibrant Blue Green
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: YES
Availability: (SOLD)

Comments:  Phosphophyllite is one of the "Holy Grails" of rare gems.  The material is one of the ultimate combinations of rarity and beauty.  Virtually all of the gem quality Phosphophyllite in the world is found at the Unificada mine in great mountains of Cerro Rico the famous silver mining district of Potosí, Bolivia.  The supply has dwindled to say the least over the last 60 years since the initial discovery of the mineral at this mine.  This stone is actually from the "old" material, and was in our father's collection for years.  He had set it aside to be cut one day, and once Brett was ready, he decided that he was going to be the one to cut it.  Brett cut this stone in November of 2008.  It is an impressive and attractive stone of this highly sought after material.

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Gemstone # Phospho038
Name: Phosphophyllite
Locality: Bolivia
Weight: 0.38 cts
Size: 6.59 x 4.10 mm
Price per Carat: $800
Price For Stone: $304

Cut: Free Form
Color: Vibrant Blue Green
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: YES
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Phosphophyllite is one of the "Holy Grails" of rare gems.  The material is one of the ultimate combinations of rarity and beauty.  Virtually all of the gem quality Phosphophyllite in the world is found at the Unificada mine in great mountains of Cerro Rico the famous silver mining district of Potosí, Bolivia.  The supply has dwindled to say the least over the last 60 years since the initial discovery of the mineral at this mine.  This stone is actually from the "old" material, and was in our father's collection for years.  He had set it aside to be cut one day, and once Brett was ready, he decided that he was going to be the one to cut it.  Brett cut this stone in November of 2008.  It is an impressive and attractive stone of this highly sought after material.

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Gemstone # Phos861
Name: Phosgenite
Locality: Sardinia, Italy
Weight: 8.61 cts
Size: 11.90 x 9.94 mm
Price per Carat: $75
Price For Stone: $645.75

Cut: Free Form Fan
Color:
Champagne
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Phosgenite is not often found in gemmy enough crystals to facet stones, and an 8+ CARTAT GEM is considered extremely good sized. The Phosgenites from Sardinia are often gemmy enough to yield facetted stones, and crystals can reach up to 12 cm in length. This particular stone is a very attractive gem with very minor inclusions, and a beautiful classic Phosgenite Champagne hue. You do not see these stones of the market very often, especially this size, and the Sardinian crystals are definitely the most classic of all Phosgenites.  A great rarity and a beautiful overall gem for any collector.

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Gemstone # Phos435
Name: Phosgenite
Locality: Sardinia, Italy
Weight: 4.35 cts
Size: 10.14 x 7.19 mm
Price per Carat: $65
Price For Stone: $282.75

Cut: Free Form Fan
Color: Champagne
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Phosgenite is not often found in gemmy enough crystals to facet stones, and an 4+ CARTAT GEM is considered very good sized. The Phosgenites from Sardinia are often gemmy enough to yield facetted stones, and crystals can reach up to 12 cm in length. This particular stone is a very attractive gem with very minor inclusions, and a beautiful classic Phosgenite Champagne hue. You do not see these stones of the market very often, especially this size, and the Sardinian crystals are definitely the most classic of all Phosgenites.  A great rarity and a beautiful overall gem for any collector.

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Gemstone # Adam106
Name: Adamite (Cuprian)
Locality: Laurium, Greece
Weight: 1.06 cts
Size: 8.33 x 6.05 mm
Price per Carat: $550
Price For Stone: $583

Cut: Shield
Color: Sea Water Blue
Clarity: Translucent
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Adamite is rarely facetted, as the individual crystals are often too slender or too opaque to yield desirable stones.  I have seen water clear Adamite crystals, but they are typically only a few mm wide, and would only produce the smallest of gems.  This stone is from the famous locality of Laurium, Greece where Adamite is found in multitude of colors.  The material is rarely gem quality except on the micro level, but the colors are amazing.  This stone has the most enchanting "sea water blue" color, and is very attractive in person.  It truly must be seen in person to be fully appreciated, and would make a stellar addition to any rare gem collection.   

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Gemstone # Cupr183
Name: Cuprite
Locality: Namibia
Weight: 1.83 cts
Size: 6.74 mm
Price per Carat: $100
Price For Stone: $183

Cut: Round
Color:
Deep Blood Red
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Cuprite as a gem was a near impossibility until the Namibian material came around.  Cuprite is one of those gems that is almost impossible to accurately photograph due to it's almost metallic appearance.  The intense fiery blood red color of Cuprite along with the fact that larger stones exist make this a fairly exciting and highly collectible stone.  The rough for these stones is no longer being found, and the best of the Cuprites are probably behind us.  This gem is a perfect stone for a collector, not too big or too small, and it has great fire and clarity for the material.  I promise this one looks MUCH better than the photos indicate.

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Gemstone # Musc194
Name: Muscovite
Locality: Brazil
Weight: 1.94 cts
Size: 10.51 x 5.79 mm
Price per Carat: $85
Price For Stone: $164.90

Cut: Rectangle
Color:
Purple / Pink
Clarity: Translucent
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  A perfect gem for a rare stone collector.  Although Muscovite as a species is by no means rare, when is the last time you've seen a piece that was suitable for cutting, let alone a PINK of Muscovite gem?  We couldn't resist buying this stone as it fits all the criteria for a collector quality rare gem:  Hard to facet material (it has a perfect paper thin cleavage one direction) with great color and good size.  Although the stone is not transparent, it is certainly one of the largest facetted Muscovites that I have seen, not to mention one of the prettiest color stones that I know of.  These gems are few and far between, and the fact that it's nearly 2 carats makes it all the more impressive.  It takes a master cutter to facet Muscovite and keep it from flaking apart, so if you've always wanted one for your collection, now is a great opportunity.

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Gemstone # Hamberg245
Name: Hambergite
Locality: Burma
Weight: 2.45 cts
Size: 12.12 x 8.64 mm
Price per Carat: $100
Price For Stone: $245

Cut: Pear
Color: Colorless
Clarity: VS
Cut by Us: No
Availability: Available

Comments:   Hambergite is one those stones that you only see from a few worldwide localities, and these are great gems for rare stone collectors. The most unique aspect of Hambergite has to be the fact that it has the lowest density of any gem with high birefringence. This stone is a great quality, very good sized, colorless stone that would make any collector happy.  This is one of the few Burmese Hambergites that we've handled, and with the ever intensifying political climate in Burma, it may be very difficult to obtain stones like this in the future.

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Gemstone #: Aug020
Name: Augelite
Locality: Peru
Weight: 0.20 cts
Size: 3.63 mm
Price per Carat: $200
Price For Stone: $40 (SOLD)

Cut: Cut Corner Square
Color: Lime Green
Clarity: VS
Cut by Us: No
Availability: SOLD

Comments:  Augelite as a gem is certainly uncommon, and an Augelite gem with any color to it is nearly unheard of.  Years ago, I remember seeing facetted Augelite from the Champion mine in California that were around 3 carats, so Augelites stones are never large.  Unfortunately those stones are long gone, but they were colorless, and not GREEN like this little beauty.  Obviously this stone is on the small side, but I cannot imagine that there are many collectors out there with a natural green Augelite in their collections.  I certainly haven't seen many in my life.  The only localities that I know of for green Augelite are Rapid Creek in the Yukon, and this new locality called the Ortega Prospect in Peru.  It has been said that only the most complete rare gem collection have an Augelite in them, and to have one with color is quite rare.

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Gemstone # Vlas020
Name: Vlasovite
Locality: Canada
Weight: 0.20 cts
Size: 3.44 mm
Price per Carat: $700
Price For Stone: $140

Cut: Square
Color: Champagne
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  This is a remarkably rare gem. This material is only found in a few localities in the world, and it is virtually impossible to find clean gems. Gem quality Vlasovite is probably best known from Quebec, Canada, and often the stones are less than 1 carat in weight. This particular gem is a tremendously rare stone with a very attractive champagne hue. This excellent quality stone came to me with a retail value of $1600 per carat, no kidding. This is a ridiculously hard to find gem to fill a spot in your rare stone collection.

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Gemstone # Rut096
Name: Rutile
Locality:
Brazil
Weight: 0.96 cts
Size: 7.99 x 3.86 mm
Price per Carat: $125
Price For Stone: $120

Cut: Oval
Color: Colorless
Clarity: Slight Inclusion
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Rutile is usually only seen as inclusions in other gems like Quartz, and is rarely found in crystals that are thick enough or suitable enough to facet stones. Rutile is usually cut as a novelty, and typically faceted stones are extremely dark and opaque. With that said, this metallic stone actually shows an amazingly rich blood red color. You really don't see much faceted Rutile on the market, so this is a unique opportunity to obtain an unusually rare gem to fill a spot in your collection. Stones with this clarity and rich color are rarely seen, so don't miss out on this one.

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Gemstone # Angle360
Name: Anglesite
Locality: Morocco
Weight: 3.60 cts
Size: 11.04 5.15 mm
Price per Carat: $50
Price For Stone: $180

Cut: Elongated Emerald
Color: Yellow
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available

Comments:  Anglesite is rare in facetted gemstones.  Much care has to be taken when cutting such material because it is very soft, being 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs hardness scale.  It is also very brittle, and can break easily during the cutting process.  Finished stones are stunning due to the fact the Anglesite has a dispersion similar diamond.  Anglesite is found in various localities, but gem rough is few and far between.  Tsumeb, Namibia and Morocco are the only two major sources of the material, and Tsumeb will never produce the rough again.  Stones over 6 carats are virtually unheard of, and fine Anglesite gems are prized by collectors and dealers alike.  This stone is good quality to be sure, and the fact that it's over 3 carats makes it a highly collectible gem.

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