International Minerals 55
Erongo Mts., Karibib Constituency, Namibia
Size: 6.5 x 4 x 2.5 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This is a captivating combination of quartz and ilmenite from the Erongo Mountains. Not only is the aesthetics extremely appealing, but also quality and condition are outstanding. The quartz is completely undamaged and overgrown with fine Schorl crystals on the back, all natural and complete. The ilmenite aggregate is extremely beautiful and sits at the front of the main crystal, held by a smaller secondary crystal. Typical for the site, the ilmenite has a coating of matte, orange oxide. A rare combination, especially in such beautiful shape.
Kop Krom Mine, Kop Daglari, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
Size: 6.4 x 4.1 x 2.8 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This is a classic piece of dark grey rock matrix with a front that is covered in a rich layer of purple kämmererite micro-crystals. Atop this layer are several larger crystals, most prominently two sharp and gemmy crystals up to 9 mm in diameter. Beautiful aesthetics and stunning crystals quality are united on this elegant specimen. Kämmererite, the chromium bearing variant of clinochlore, is almost exclusive to this locale and was found only in the 1970s and 1980s with no new material coming after that.
Merelani Mine, Arusha, Tanzania
Size: 2.3 x 2.2 x 1.6 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Chrome-tourmaline from the Merelani Hills is quite the rarity. The chromium bearing variety of green dravite and exists almost exclusively in Tanzania.
This one is well defined and in very good condition.
The edges are somewhat rough but have hardly any discernible chips.
As you might imagine, the most impressive feature of this crystal is the stunning green color.
Provide some backlight and the color will pop right out, even more stunning than the famous green of Colombian emeralds!
This rare specimen was in the collection of Wilhelm Niemetz (Vienna) for decades, a label is included with the piece.
Laman celestine deposit, Qala e Naw District, Badghis, Afghanistan
Size: 4.8 x 3.5 x 2.4 cm
Watch Video
|
||
It's a lovely celestine from the new finds at the Laman celestine deposit. It has a total size of 4.8 cm with a 2 cm long main crystal. That main celestine is attractively set atop a yellowish calcite matrix, accompanied by a couple of smaller side-crystals. What is special here is not only the striking aesthetics but also the superb quality! The celestine is glassy, well defined and highly lustrous with intensive sky blue color.
Medina Area, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 6.1 x 4 x 3.1 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
A skeletonized heliodor of brilliant quality and extremely intense greenish-yellow color!
The quality, shape and color intensity are breathtakingly beautiful in person!
It measures 6.1 cm and is skeletonized all around with a highest luster.
The interior is completely transparent, allowing the striking color to shine even in normal daylight.
The piece is in excellent condition all around. The front is completely perfect and small imprefections on the backside are almost invisible due to the vibrant surface structure.
A stunningly beautiful beryl of unique quality and shape!
Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy
Size: 9.4 x 7.7 x 5.9 cm
Watch Video
|
||
A massive hematite specimen from the historic locale at Elba Island. It shows characteristic solid hematite blades with metallic black luster. There are several contacted or damaged zones around the piece but there is still a rich multitude of sharp and well defined hematite crystals present!
Boekenhoutshoek area, Nkangala District, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Size: 6.5 x 4.5 x 4.1 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Even rarer than the well known purple cactus-quartz from Boekenhoutshoek is the yellow variant which makes for a stunning contrast if you put them together in your showcase!
These crystals are highly lustrous, sharp and translucent to transparent. The bright color is caused by inclusions of hematite and goethite and is really intensive here! The piece is from a collection in South Africa where it has been for over 20 years. Quality and condition are totally outstanding!
Tenkergin Mine, Iul'tinskiy Mining Complex, Iultinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Size: 4.4 x 4 x 2.1 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
|
|
The Tenkergin mine is an extremely remote locality in far northeastern Siberia, not far from Alaska.
Notable finds have been in the 1980s and emerged on the market after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
This 4.4 cm crystal was in the collection of Dr. Eduard Lopatka for many years. A Label is included with the piece. It is a single scheelite octahedron, well shaped, nicely lustrous and translucent with intensive dark orange color. Very nice all over and in excellent condition. The backside is contacted and re-crystallized.
Pomba pit, Serra das Éguas, Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
Size: 2.3 x 1.9 x 1.1 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
This lovely little uvite from the Pomba pit is a real jewel! The single short prismatic, almost tabular tourmaline is sharply developed and has beautiful and gemmy mossy green color. The crystal is set on what appears to be white and transparent dolomite. A complete floater in very best condition.
Fazenda do Centro, Castelo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
Size: 14.7 x 12.3 x 7 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This large and heavy etched topaz is quite dominant with a bright glassy interior!
At the base it has an interesting structure that looks as if some thin tabular mineral was grown into the topaz but it might as well be some form of dissolving pattern.
The upper two thirds of the crystal are clear and with lovely etchings and beautifully structured surface.
This piece has a damage on the left side as well as some abrasions but despite these issues itis still a very impressive exemplar from this spectacular one-time find near Fazenda do Centro in Brazil.
Tormiq valley, Haramosh Mts., Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 5.6 x 1.8 x 0.6 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Epidote from the Alpine type clefts of Pakistan are a well known species that impresses with gemmy quality and a multitude of different shapes!
This doubly terminated specimen is in excellent condition and very well defined.
Galdino mine, Medina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 5.1 x 3 x 2.8 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This apatite is from a new lot of very nice specimens from the Galdino mine near Median. Most exciting about this specimen is the beautiful combination of different minerals. The main 3.3 cm long apatite is associated with snow white feldspar and it is set on some blocky black mica. The main apatite is well developed and flawless all around. At the inside it shows a landscape, embedded in clear, yellowish green apatite.