International Minerals 56
Cavnic Mine, Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 14.5 x 13.4 x 4.7 cm
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A highly attractive paragenesis from the historic Cavnic mine, featuring an elegant and well-balanced association of minerals. Individually placed chalcopyrite crystals sit on a landscape of siderite, which in turn has grown atop tabular galena. This tabular habit in galena is relatively uncommon and is only peripherally visible here, as it is largely covered by the brownish siderite. The combination of golden, lustrous chalcopyrite crystals on this siderite surface creates a striking and visually compelling contrast. The entire specimen is in excellent condition, with no visible damage.
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What a truly exceptional indicolite specimen!
It features a thick, well-formed crystal of outstanding quality, accompanied by contrasting white mica.
The single indicolite displays a beautiful, evenly distributed blue color throughout the entire crystal. It is transparent, highly lustrous, and sharply formed, terminating in a well-defined flat face.
In normal daylight it's mystical blue, just like in the video. Give it some direct backlight and it absolutely glows the way you can see in the picture. Amazing!
The specimen is not repaired and remains in excellent condition, with only a very small, isolated chip on the backside.
The blocky white mica, that acts as a matrix, shows subtle silvery sheen that enhances the overall contrast.
Balance, contrast, and crystal quality come together in an extraordinary way, making this an exceptionally attractive indicolite specimen.
Tses Baryte Prospect, Brukkaros Complex, Berseba Townlands Farm 426, ll Karas Region, Namibia
Size: 5.9 x 2 x 1.5 cm
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This piece is an attractive combination of two intergrown baryte crystals. The composition is particularly appealing due to the natural contrast between the two individuals: the shorter, more robust crystal shows a rich honey-yellow color, while the longer, more slender crystal is noticeably lighter in tone. Both crystals are relatively gemmy, with well-defined forms and a pleasing overall balance. The specimen is in excellent condition, showing only minor contact marks that do not detract from its aesthetic appeal. A charming and highly displayable baryte from a classic Namibian locality.
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 16 x 5.8 x 2.7 cm
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If you are interested in high-quality quartz, this specimen might be for you! This complete and flawless piece from the Shigar Valley measures dramatic 16 cm and presents a highly distinctive and balanced composition. It features a main crystal accompanied by a smaller side crystal, both doubly terminated and entirely undamaged. Near the termination, the main crystal shows a natural intergrowth of tiny quartz micro-crystals. Even under close inspection, this area remains intact and free of damage. The overall quality is excellent, with strong luster, very good clarity, and a sharply defined termination. Subtle internal clouds are present within the crystals, but they remain visually unobtrusive and do not detract from the specimen’s overall brilliance. A very elegant and well-formed quartz from a classic locality.
Erongo Mountains, Karibib Constituency, Erongo Region, Namibia
Size: 7.2 x 5.3 x 4.1 cm
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Aquamarines from Namibia are typically more rough and often of lower overall quality compared to those from classic Pakistani localities. However, this specimen is a remarkable exception.
It originates from a sensational 2025 find, which has produced surprisingly fine material overall—yet this piece still stands out even within that discovery.
The specimen features a striking intergrowth of four doubly terminated aquamarine crystals, forming an elegant and highly three-dimensional sculptural composition.
While there are still minor remnants of matrix present, and the color reflects the characteristic tone of the locality, the crystal quality is truly exceptional. The aquamarine is glassy, sharply formed, and displays excellent luster on all sides.
The finest quality is especially visible towards the terminations, where the crystals show maximum brilliance. At the center, small matrix inclusions are beautifully enclosed within the transparent blue crystal, creating a fascinating visual effect.
A highly aesthetic and uncommon aquamarine specimen with outstanding presence and structure.
Goboboseb Mts., Brandberg Area, Erongo Region, Namibia
Size: 13.2 x 10.1 x 6.5 cm
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With 13.2 cm it’s an impressive piece that features well colored amethyst crystals on a limonite-orange rock matrix. What I find particularly attractive is the interlocked crystal arrangement in combination with that beautifully contrasting matrix. Admittedly, there are downsides present: Some peripheral damage, a hardly recognizable repair and the fact, that not all crystal faces are equally lustrous. What is positively stunning is the the intensive purple color, a patchwork of internal zones that shines particularly bright at direct illumination from the back.
Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 5.5 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm
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A particularly attractive brazilianite from the Linópolis region in Brazil. This specimen shows a well-balanced and highly aesthetic association of sharp brazilianite crystals on a contrasting matrix of white feldspar and brownish mica. The quality is truly exceptional, with excellent luster and a vivid, intense green coloration. The crystals are sharply formed, transparent, and display very good overall definition, resulting in a bright and lively appearance. The three-dimensional character of the piece is especially noteworthy, giving it strong visual depth from multiple viewing angles. An outstanding and highly displayable brazilianite specimen.
Mogok Township, Mandalay Division, Burma (Myanmar)
Size: 5 x 4 x 2.3 cm
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Sapphire crystals are usually found as loose specimens, which makes this striking matrix piece all the more desirable. The sapphire crystal measures 3.2 cm and displays a rich, deep blue color, elegantly set on a contrasting white calcite matrix. The composition creates a strong visual balance, with excellent natural contrast between crystal and host rock. The crystal is well-formed and free of damage. While it is not fully gem-quality transparent, it is still distinctly translucent. When placed under direct backlighting, the internal blue color becomes especially vivid and expressive. Even without transmitted light, however, the sapphire shows a strong and attractive coloration with excellent visual presence. A well-balanced and highly aesthetic specimen from the famous mines of Mogok.
Bulochi, Astore Distr., Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 4.3 x 3.6 x 0.3 cm
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Rhodochrosite from the pegmatites of Pakistan has been virtually unknown in the past, and even in recent discoveries only very limited material has been recovered.
This specimen is a thin, plate-like crystal that represents a striking example of this rare new find.
The surface shows a slightly greasy, waxy luster, through which the characteristic red coloration of the rhodochrosite is clearly visible and well expressed.
The right side of the specimen is admittedly less well defined. It is not broken, but also not sharply developed, which slightly affects the overall outline.
Apart from this minor imperfection, however, the piece remains a very distinctive and representative specimen from this recent Pakistani discovery.
Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Size: 11.5 x 7.3 x 6.1 cm
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An exceptional Quartz specimen from India, showing truly spectacular quality. The crystal faces create a dazzling display of brilliance—an absolute firework of reflections. While highly attractive in photographs, this piece truly comes to life when moved in light, revealing an ever-changing play of reflections across its surfaces. All crystals are water-clear, highly lustrous, and in excellent condition, with hardly even an abrasion. The crystals are elegantly set on a thin layer of microcrystalline quartz, which is mostly coated on the underside with greenish chlorite and scattered anatase crystals, adding subtle contrast and interest. Quartz from the Himalayan region is well known for its quality, yet this specimen stands out as exceptional—distinguished by its aesthetics, near perfection, and truly overwhelming crystal quality.
Golconda Mine, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 6.4 x 5.4 x 2.6 cm
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An absolutely charming indicolite specimen of exceptional presence that features a 4.7 cm long main crystal of splendid quality. The overall aesthetics are highly attractive, with the primary crystal beautifully positioned on a vibrant matrix of pristine cleavelandite and lepidolite, crystallized all around. The quality of the indicolite is outstanding, displaying an open and vivid color that is easily appreciated even without direct backlighting. The specimen is free of damage and repair. A small side crystal that may appear questionable at first glance, is in fact all natural and well crystallized. The combination of a single, doubly terminated indicolite crystal on such an exquisite matrix makes this piece truly stunning.
Bulochi, Astore Distr., Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 3.2 x 2.3 x 1.4 cm
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A rare and captivating Rhodochrosite crystal from the pegmatites of Pakistan. This striking piece showcases a well-defined rhombohedral crystal form and exceptionally vivid and richly saturated color. The crystal presents a pronounced shape, complemented by a as well as a beautifully lustrous surface that enhances its visual appeal. A small nick is present on the outer right side; however, aside from this minor imperfection, the specimen remains in excellent overall condition. An eye-catching and characterful addition to any fine mineral collection.