Mixed Minerals
Tormiq valley, Haramosh Mts., Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 11.5 x 3.5 x 3.2 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
|
|
The Alpine type clefts of the Tormiq valley are well known for world class epidote but specimens of such staggering size are rare and exceedingly hard to come by. This epidote is a assembly of two crystal clusters, combined in a 10° angle which makes for dramatic and sweeping aesthetics! The crystals are translucent with green and brown colors and highly lustrous. Their stepped architecture is all complete and without damage.
A dominant specimen of distinctive shape!
Tormiq valley, Haramosh Mts., Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan
Size: 13.2 x 9.6 x 5 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This is a rich arrangement of olive green titanites and white calcites on matrix. Titanite crystals are up to 1.8 cm long twins with very nice luster, color and transparency. The white calcite are translucent and offer a stark contrast for the green titanites. Overall condition is excellent with only some minor contact.
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru
Size: 13.4 x 9.3 x 8.5 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
White translucent calcite scalenohedra in association with some metallic silvery galena. The calcite is in very good condition, lustrous and with well developed phantoms inside. Galena is set at the very center but also around the periphery. A nice piece of distinctive composition!
|
||
This rich cluster of high quality fluorite is absolutely gorgeous in person for its lovely colors, the clarity and the overall elegance! The rhombo-dodecahedral crystals are lustrous and clear and grant the look right through to the quartz covered matrix. Very beautiful is the color which is a nice ocean green with purple clouds at the crystals tips. All crystals are in perfect condition with only some peripheral contacts.
Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 8.5 x 6.1 x 3.3 cm
Watch Video
|
||
A rich composition of glassy aquamarine with a single pink apatite and some association of muscovite and feldspar on periphery and backside. The aquamarine is all transparent and highly lustrous with a light sky-blue color. At some parts there is orange-brown iron oxide shining through the aquamarine which adds a nice touch. Embedded in this assembly there is a strikingly pink apatite of very nice quality which totally makes this specimen special! The piece is not entirely perfect but among the large number of sparkling crystals these small issues are not visible at all.
1st Sovetskii Mine, Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Size: 8.2 x 5.5 x 6.5 cm
|
|
|
|
|
This marvelous crystal shows a beautiful termination, is grown into some matrix on the bottom, and looks very nice with the small "side car" crystal aside. A superb specimen of highest quality and with no significant damage. There are two very small cleavage faces on the bottom side but the termination and all main faces are just perfect. Wonderful elegance from this important locale!
Berbes Mining area, Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Size: 7.7 x 7.1 x 5.3 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
|
|
A group of very nice crystals on the top of this piece is making this fabulous aesthetics! The crystals have a lenght up to 1.2cm on edge. The piece is in a very good condition over all!
Berta quarry and mine, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Size: 9.5 x 7.2 x 2.5 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This group of octahedral fluorite in combination with calcite is a piece of great color-contrast and aesthetics. The fluorite shows nice mint green coloring with modifications at the corners. A nice piece of pretty detail and attractive colors in person!
Kambove District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga, D.R. Congo
Size: 5.1 x 4.3 x 2.2 cm
Watch Video
|
||
This single carrollite crystal sits atop a calcite-matrix that provides a wonderful contrast to the dark metallic luster of the main crystal. The carrolloite is exceptionally sharp, and a good 1 cm on edge. A nice piece in person with no obvious damage.
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru
Size: 6.9 x 6.1 x 4.7 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Cubical pyrite crystals of best golden color, brilliant luster and fine striations are clustered to form this sweeping structure! The top side is largely covered with a layer of grey sphalerite crystals like ash settling down on a rocky surface. The contrast of shiny metallic luster with the grey sphalerite is quite catchy and nice. Apart from some contact at the backside there is no damage to report. An appealing piece from the famous Huanzala Mine!
Mundo Nuevo Mine, Mundo Nuevo, Huamachuco, Sanchez Carrion, La Libertad, Peru
Size: 5.1 x 4 x 3.1 cm
Watch Video
|
||
A well balanced play of black hübnerite crystals with glassy white quartz crystals. All the main crystals on this piece are flawless with nice lustrous terminations. I love the vertical presentation with the hübnerite at the top as this way it creates a dramatic impression. The underlying quartz needles are of marvelous quality as well and very much emphasize the hübnerite. As you can see in our video the backside is contacted but which is absolutely not disturbing the fantastic main view. This is definitely a piece of pure aesthetics!
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 6.6 x 5.6 x 3.1 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Perfect aesthetics is a combination of many different aspects. Color contrast is one of them, in this case the contrast of dark purple fluorite on a white calcite matrix. The balance of crystal size and supporting matrix linked with their arrangement is another vital issue, perfectly solved on this fine specimen. At last there is the quality in all its facets. This fully transparent fluorite cluster shows amazing luster, striking color and a gentle, intriguing surface structure. The whole specimen is in exceptional condition with only some peripheral damage on the matrix. A perfectly picturesque fluorite specimen of impressive quality!