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November 2007 Page 3
Enjoy !!
No.
Caf Sui TN 8071 One of the holy grails of Alpine minerals ! As many of you
know I'm a huge fan of Alpine and "Alpine-type" minerals along with
being a huge fan of "black" minerals, so this species is a great
combination of two of my passions. For years, I have searched for a
superb Cafarsite specimen (of ANY size) from the Alps, but they are few
and far between, even in mediocre specimens. This species, like a few
other Arsenides found in this region (i.e., Asbecasite, Fetiasite) gets
its name from this chemical composition. This species is only found at
few localities worldwide, all but one of them being in the Swiss and
Italian Alps. This particular piece is a highly aesthetic and impressive
thumbnail of Cafarsite featuring a complete, isolated, relatively large,
sharp, cuboctahedron sitting on a bit of Alpine granite matrix. I would
say there are only a handful of DECENT Cafarsites found each year at
Scherbadung, and it seems like all Alpine specimens, the pieces from
Switzerland command a higher price across the board than their Italian,
Austrian and French counterparts. If you're a serious collector, this is
a big deal from the standpoint of rarity, crystal size, and aesthetics
from such a prominent locality. Locality: Wannigletscher, Scherbadung, (Cervandone on the
Italian side), Kriegalp Valley, Binntal, Kanton Wallis (Valais),
Switzerland Specimen Size: 2.5 x 2.1 x 1.7 cm.
No. Qtz Rus TN 8071 A classic Bor Pit Quartz showing the well known hexagonal
dipyramidal form (no prism faces are present), and a typical
yellowish-smoky color. The crystals themselves are very sharp with
excellent luster. The overall aesthetics and balance of this piece make
it one of the top thumbnails of this material to come into my
possession. I must point out that there is a tiny "rub" toward the
topmost termination, but not distracting enough to take away from the
appeal of this beautiful "box buster" thumbnail. One does not see many
of these specimens on the market anymore, and for a Quartz, this is a
cool specimen. Locality: Bor Pit (Bor Quarry), Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray,
Far-Eastern Region, Russia Specimen Size; 3.0 x 2.5 x 1.6 cm.
No.
Bet TN 8071 This species is not a terribly well-known
sulfide, but the great find in the late 1990's provided collectors with
some of the most impressive Betekhtinite specimens extant. The most
significant aspect of this piece is the fact that the crystals are
actually TERMINATED and not broken crystal sections in parallel growth.
The crystals also have superb luster and are not coated by a micro
Bornite wash, like some others I have seen from this locality. This
district has not produced any of these specimens in years, and me being
the big fan of black rocks than I am, I want to point out that this is a
wonderfully well crystallized example of a hard to find mineral, so do
not miss this chance to own an aesthetic full-sized thumbnail of this
rare species. Locality: Dzhezkazgan, Dzhezkazgan Oblast', Kazakhstan Specimen Size: 3.2 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm.
No.
Gal Elm TN 8071 Elmwood has long been regarded as one of the great U.S.
localities, in spite of the fact that it only produces a handful of
common species. Obviously this mine is best known for its world-class
Calcite specimens, but it also produced some superb quality Galenas as
well. This aesthetic little beauty features a highly lustrous metallic
cubic crystal group of Galena associated with a reddish-brown, gemmy
crystal cluster of Sphalerite and a few small gem golden Calcite
crystals. A very attractive thumbnail from this renowned locality. Locality: Elmwood mine, Carthage, Central Tennessee Ba-F-Pb-Zn
District, Smith County, Tennessee Specimen Size: 2.6 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm.
No.
Born TN 8072 Have you seen a sharper Bornite crystal from Dzhezkazgan? Obviously this is not the largest Bornite crystal from this mine, but it is undoubtedly a textbook dodecahedron that is complete all the way around with razor sharp faces aesthetically perched on matrix. There is the slightest of Wilbers on the top portion of the crystal, but I think this is more than forgivable considering the overall outstanding quality. I have seen dozens upon dozens of Bornites from this mine, and I honestly cannot remember seeing one as fine as this piece. Bornite rarely forms in such sharp, isolated, euhedral crystals from any locality unless they're micros. Considering that these specimens are no longer being mined, this is a great opportunity to obtain a splendid Bornite from this notable locality. This specimen is also associated with minor Chalcocite, Calcite and Malachite. Locality: Dzhezkazgan, Dzhezkazgan Oblast', Kazakhstan Specimen Size: 2.3 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm.
No.
Amaz Eth TN 8071 Fine Amazonite crystals are only known from a few world localities,
but recently Ethiopia has added its name to the ranks of some of the
best specimens around. The color of this crystal is just about as rich
and dark as you'll find in an Amazonite from any locality. It is
certainly darker than about 95% of the Amazonite found in Colorado. The
crystal is complete all the way around with rather lustrous faces and a
bladed crystal group of Albite (var: "Cleavelandite") on the side. The
crystal is also translucent (almost gemmy) around the edges as well. If
this crystal were from Colorado, you can be sure that the price could be
two to three times higher. Locality: Konso Region, Sidamo Province, Ethiopia Specimen Size: 2.6 x 2.0 x 1.7 cm.
No.
Sphal Kaz TN 8071 This is the best iridescent Sphalerite that I have ever seen from this locality. Not only does it show the finest multi-color "peacock" iridescence (probably a secondary coating of another copper sulfide), but the main crystal is remarkably sharp with superb tetrahedral form. This mine does produce gemmy Sphalerite crystals, but this one is much more attractive and eye-catching in my opinion. You simply do not see these pieces around anymore, and I honestly have never seen one with such a vibrant array of color before. A gorgeous Sphalerite thumbnail from this prolific locality. Locality: Dzhezkazgan, Dzhezkazgan Oblast', Kazakhstan Specimen Size: 2.0 x 1.7 x 1.0 cm.
No.
CuFes TN 8073 For a Chalcopyrite, this is a beauty of a thumbnail.
Chalcopyrite is structurally similar to Sphalerite, yet it is not
isometric. The axis ratio is just slightly off in Chalcopyrite, which is
why we see many of the same forms in this species that we see in
isometric minerals. The Chalcopyrite crystal on this specimen is a very
attractive, isolated, sharp, lustrous pseudo dodecahedron with modifying
tetragonal scalenohedral striations. It is very well isolated on a
matrix of white Quartz crystals and is associated with silvery Galena,
black Sphalerite, and dark brass colored Pyrrhotite blades. One of the
most aesthetic and attractive Chalcopyrite thumbnails that I have seen
from this significant mineral producing region. Locality: Nikolaevskiy Mine, Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray,
Far-Eastern Region, Russia Specimen Size: 2.6 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm.
No. Bix Top TN 8071 What a stunner of a thumbnail for this unique and classic association. A gemmy, sharp, lustrous, light sherry colored, doubly-terminated Topaz crystal hosts a few elegant, sharp, lustrous, metallic Bixbyite cubes creating a gorgeous overall specimen. You couldn't ask for better aesthetics or quality, and considering how many of these specimens continue to come out of Utah, this one really stands out for me. A great combination specimen from this significant U.S. locality. Locality: Topaz Mountain, Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah Specimen Size: 2.1 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm.
No. Lab TN 8071 The Dust Devil mine is best known for producing amazing gem quality Sunstone occurring in a beautiful range of colors. I have been told that this material is Labradorite, which is one of the intermediate members of the Albite-Anorthite Plagioclase Feldspar series. The large percentage of the material from Oregon is found as broken crystal shards and typically has a light "champagne" hue. Euhedral crystals of this material are very rare in my experience. I actually pulled this piece from a parcel of gem rough, saving it from the gruesome fate of being forever destroyed for the sake of cutting a gem. It is not a complete crystal, but it does show good crystal form with defined striations on the "b" faces of the crystal. It is nearly 100% gem quality, and would make a great addition to any Feldspar suite, a collection of gem crystals (especially U.S. gem crystals), or any thumbnail collection. Locality: Dust Devil mine, Plush, Lake County, Oregon Specimen Size: 2.4 x 1.0 x 0.6 cm.
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