International Minerals
Berbes Mining area, Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Size: 10.2 x 7.3 x 5.8 cm
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Considering how beautiful these fluorites from the Berbes mining area can get it is unfortunate that the mines are no longer active and deeply buried unter debris. This is an unusually fine exemplar from a brighter period that features a rich number of purple fluorite cubes on a background of sparkling white quartz and ivory barite. The Fluorites are up to 1.5 cm on edge, glassy and lustrous with gorgeous surface structures! The crystals are almost colorless near the surface but are filled with a purple color that gets more and more satiated the deeper it gets. A rarity that's very nice to look upon and in outstanding condition!
Kongsberg Silver Mining District, Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway
Size: 4.5 x 3.6 x 1.2 cm
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A classic miniature specimen of solid silver from Kongsberg. The single claw-like structure that protrudes from the top defines the distinctive shape and makes the piece unique and attractive. A interplay of oxidised silver on the outer surface and bright shiny zones in countless cavities brings the piece to live as if there was some inner glow! A nice classic piece without any downsides!
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Several single isolated anatase crystals up to around 1 cm long are spread across a pristine white albite matrix. The bi-pyramidal crystals are undamaged, sharp and highly lustrous! Backside and bottom are completely crystallized. It's a lovely specimen in very best condition!
Zard Mts., Kharan, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 7.3 x 4.9 x 3 cm
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It's a rather natural matrix that features a single main anatase on the right and a group of quartz crystals on the left side. This arrangement very much emphasizes the anatase which is a sharp and highly lustrous crystal. With strong direct illumination you can see a strikingly blue zone towards the termination and gemmy brown patches further down. This 1.1 cm main crystal is accompanied my several anatase micro-crystals, scattered over the rock surface.
Morro Velho mine, Nova Lima, Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 8.2 x 6.1 x 2.3 cm
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Lovely colorless and translucent dolomite crystals are adorned with second generation tabular pyrrhotite and small acicular cubanite. The backside is simple grey rock but with some attached pyrrhotite that must have grow after the piece detached. A very nice and attractive specimen of rare material from the world's oldest gold mine that shut down in 2003 after 278 years of mining!
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 13.7 x 11.6 x 6.2 cm
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This excellent large cabinet sized specimen shows an association of colorful fluorites and milky white, highly lustrous quartz. The fluorite comes as glassy cubes with green at the center and purple along the edges. A very nice combination that stands out among the white quartz. The quartz itself shows brilliant luster and is sharply developed. What is special are well defined phantoms inside the quartz! The whole specimen is in excellent condition with some edge-wear on the quartz but no actual breaks. Very good and very attractive in person!
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz Mts, Thuringia, Germany
Size: 7.2 x 4.1 x 4.9 cm
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The classic manganite from Ilfeld in Germany are considered to be the best of this species which becomes obvious when you look at this very specimen! The black and white contrast is absolutely top on this well balanced piece. A snow-white barite cluster at the right more and more gives way to metallic black manganite the more left you look. From this complex black and white cluster one single manganite crystal emerges. It is around 1.8 cm long, 1.4 cm thick and of uttermost perfection!
The whole piece is in best condition with a cut bottom, which was usual at the time this piece was found, some hundred years ago. A European classic of great aesthetics as our video very well shows!
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 5.5 x 4.5 x 3.7 cm
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A characteristic specimen of spessartine on feldspar that offers great contrast and sparkling gem red crystals. The largest garnet is 1.2 cm in diameter, sharp and lustrous as are the other crystals that cover the feldspar matrix. Very attractive and in best condition!
Killa Saifullah District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 11.6 x 9.2 x 4.2 cm
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Several single isolated spheres of vivid yellow brucite are set on a rock matrix with a thin hydromagnesite layer that provides an elegant silvery background. This arrangement very much emphasises the brucite which comes a vividly lemon-yellow, translucent and lustrous spheres up to 2 cm in diameter. It's an uncommon specimen of rare quality and composition!
Killa Saifullah District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 13 x 4.4 x 2 cm
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Vibrant lemon-yellow brucite with great transparency and luster is arranged as a formidable landscape. The front is composed of botryoidal brucite that show excellent vividly colored quality! The backside is completely crystallized and equally flawless. Size, color and condition make this an impressive and very much appealing specimen!
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Color, luster and clarity of this zoisite are absolutley brilliant. The color of the upper half of the crystal is an intense greenish yellow when lit from the back and somewhat paler when you look at it through the sides. The lower half is opaque and dark, thus almost creating the impression of a matrix-piece. The whole crystal is perfect with a pristine termination and no damage to be found anywhere. The bottom also is recrystallized. At the left side you can see a broken and rehealed side crystal, influencing the growth of the zoisite. Mirroring luster and appealing color are distinguishing this wonderful piece!
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 10.8 x 10 x 5 cm
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Clear water-blue fluorite cubes are set on an attractive rock matrix that has a lovely white surface, studded with small golden pyrite. The fluorite is clear through and through so that you can see right to the matrix and the dark purple fluorites that are grown there. A gorgeous specimen of nice hand size and impressive quality! There is no damage present, only flawless beauty wherever you look!