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FlCh TN 1083 - Fluorite - $125 (SOLD)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Thumbnail, 2.1 x 2.1 x 1.4 cm
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A very attractive Fluorite thumbnail from Yaogangxian featuring a 1.2 cm sharp, gemmy cube with a mystic smoky purple blue color inside and some distorted internal “phantoms”. The cube is aesthetically sitting on a small mound of matrix and is displayable from several angles.
Ameth TN 1081 - Quartz (var: “Amethyst”) - $325 (SOLD)
Piedras Parado (Las Vigas), Mun. de Profesor Rafael Ramirez, Veracruz, Mexico
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.4 x 1.6 cm
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A pristine and highly aesthetic Amethyst specimen from this classic locality that produced some of the finest Amethysts extant. The piece is comprised of five, razor-sharp, highly lustrous, GEM/gemmy fine purple color hexagonal prisms (one is actually doubly-terminated) and is an ideal thumbnail for this material. If you have ever wanted one, this is about as good as it gets for quality and aesthetics. For a thumbnail cluster, i cannot imagine better Priced premium, but worth it...
Nep TN 1081 - Neptunite - $750
Dallas Mine (Gem Mine), New Idria District, San Benito Co., California
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 3.2 x 1.7 x 1.3 cm
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What a superb Neptunite thumbnail featuring a group of highly lustrous, sharp, deep red color, prismatic crystals on a contrasting layer of massive white Natrolite on matrix. It is so aesthetic and virtually damage free, I cannot imagine a more ideal Neptunite thumbnail from the Gem Mine. Get these specimens while you can because this historic U.S. locality is now completely defunct and will never produce these specimens again. Do not let this one get away, as it is truly outstanding.
Ax TN 1081 - Ferro-axinite - $600 (SOLD)
Puiva (Pouyva) deposit, 75 km from Saranpaul, Polar Urals, Tyumenskaya Oblast', Siberia, Russia
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 3.1 x 2.2 x 0.7 cm
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These Ferro-Axinite crystals came out of Russia for a short time in the late 1990s-early 2000s, and they are regarded amongst the most impressive examples of the species ever found. This “boxbuster” thumbnail is certainly a prime example of how fine the quality of these specimens can be. It is an absolutely superb, highly lustrous, GEM/gemmy, trichroic smoky purple, red and brown color, DOUBLY-TERMINATED crystal cluster. The biggest problem that faced many of these specimens was micro “chipping” along the edges of the crystals which was a big distraction. I have never seen a single crystal of any significance from this locality that was 100% pristine, and this piece is about as close to perfect as it gets. There is only the slightest of “chipping” in a few tiny spots, but otherwise the piece is unblemished. Certainly a competition quality Axinite, worthy of any collection.
Vaux TN 1081 - Vauxite cast after Wavellite - $750
Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia
Thumbnail, 2.1 x 2.1 x 1.6 cm
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These “spherical” Vauxite specimens came out in late 2000 and the find was quite limited (less than 40 pieces). Brian Kosnar brought back the majority of these pieces and was quick to note that unusual habit for the species: they are more than likely “casts” after Wavellite, which is very practical considering the two phosphates are found together in many parts of Siglo XX. This piece is one of the largest “spheres” from this find and is very complete compared to most that came out. It consists of beautiful sky-blue color Vauxite crystals forming a “cast” after spherical Wavellite, and is associated with minor black Cassiterite and gemmy prismatic Quartz crystals. A very unusual and distinctive Vauxite specimen from this most significant Bolivian locality.
Aca TN 1082 - Acanthite - $200
Level 580, Santa Elena vein, Praoño Mine, Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico
Thumbnail, 2.8 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm
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Despite our efforts, this piece simply would not photograph the way we wanted it to. It is actually more attractive in person than the photos might indicate. It has HIGHLY metallic luster, which is part of the reason why it was such a chore to photograph. The piece is comprised of silvery pseudo-cubic crystals in an almost aroborescent form. A lovely Fresnillo Acanthite, especially in a thumbnail.
Sper TN 1081 - Sperrylite - $1950 (SOLD)
Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit, Noril'sk, Putoran Plateau, Taimyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Siberia, Russia
ex. Bryan Lees Collection
Thumbnail, 2.6 x 2.4 x 1.8 cm
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Sperrylite is one of the holy grails of Platinum bearing minerals, and crystals over 1 cm are more than significant. Most crystals of any size show a bit of cracking, which is accepted among collectors. This piece features a 1.1 cm elongated cube of Sperrylite with amazingly high luster and very sharp faces. The crystal is flaring off a Chalcopyrite matrix, and could not be more aesthetic. These specimens seem to have gone absent from the market, and the prices for average specimens is going through the roof. This is a superb all around Sperrylite and truly is one of the finest display specimen of the species that I have encountered.
Pb TN 1081 - Native Lead - $600
Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
ex. Harvard Collection
ex. Phil Scalisi Collection
ex. Wards Specimen
ex. Gilbert Gauthier Collection
Thumbnail, 2.1 x 0.8 x 0.5 cm
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While Native Lead may not be one of the most beautiful of the native elements, it is exceedingly less difficult to find in well crystallized specimens. The most classic examples of the species are found at Långban. This piece shows a relatively sharp, and well-formed cuboctahedron of Lead at the top of the specimen, which is associated with elongated crystals on the base and back. A very impressive display specimen of this hard to find species.
Suol TN 1081 - Suolunite - $200 (SOLD)
Black Lake Mine, Black Lake, Megantic Co., Quebec, Canada
Thumbnail, 2.1 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm
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Suolunite is a very rare hydrated calcium silicate, only found in few localities around the world. Matrix specimens of Suolunite are rare in my experience, and this is certainly one of the most attractive thumbnails of the species I have had to offer for sale. It features a translucent nearly colorless crystal cluster on white talc matrix. A wonderful display specimen of this hard to find species.
Sku TN 1081 - Skutterudite - $400 (SOLD)
Tamdrost Mine, Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 3.0 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm
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What a superb Skutterudite specimen, regardless of the size ! This piece features several HIGHLY lustrous, very sharp, bright silvery metallic dodecahedra with minor cubic modifications measuring up to 1.7 cm on matrix. This “boxbuster” of a thumbnail is incredibly aesthetic, and honestly looks much better in person than the photos indicate. Not the easiest specimen to photograph, but take my word for it when I say that it’s a top notch Skutterudite. To find such distinct, isolated crystals of this quality is truly impressive for the species.
Wurtz TN 1081 - Wurtzite - $250 (SOLD)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Thumbnail, 2.4 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm
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Wurtzite is not seen in well crystallized examples from many world localities, and the two specimens in this update are the ONLY Chinese Wurtzites that I have offered. To the best of my knowledge, this species has not been reported from Yaogangxian, but it has been analyzed and is confirmed. This piece features several highly lustrous, sharp, deep brownish-red, platy hexagonal crystals measuring up to 7 mm associated with white Calcite and minor Chalcopyrite. It would certainly make an excellent addition to ANY Chinese suite, and would round out any Yaogangxian collection.
PyroId TN 1081 - Pyromorphite - $1850
Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Coeur d'Alene District, Shoshone County, Idaho
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 2.7 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm
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A overall killer Bunker Hill Pyromorphite thumbnail ! This locality is renowned for its world-class Pyromorphite specimens, and this piece is no exception. It features superb quality, lustrous, sharp, yellow-green, translucent, “hoppered” (skeletal) prismatic crystals ascending from an Arsenic-rich orange Pyromorphite base. The piece is in top shape, and the aesthetics leave nothing to be desired. A perfect 10 competition quality Pyro from this most classic of U.S. localities !
Pyrr TN 1081 - Pyrrhotite - $225 (SOLD)
Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.2 x 1.9 cm
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Some of the finest crystallized Pyrrhotites come from this classic Russian locality. This piece features a group very attractive, brass-colored pseudo-hexagonal (monoclinic), doubly-terminated crystals of Pyrrhotite on Quartz matrix. This is just about as aesthetic as it gets for these specimens, and it’s in superb condition.
CalCh TN 1081 - Calcite - $95 (SOLD)
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Small Miniature/Large Thumbnail, 2.9 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm
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A very attractive “flower”-shaped aggregate of Calcite consisting of highly compressed white rhombohedra. The piece is complete on both sides and is extremely eye-catching. This habit is very difficult to obtain from Yaogangxian, and this is certainly one of the finest I have encountered.
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