International Minerals 56
Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Size: 2 x 1.2 x 1.2 cm
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This attractive emerald specimen features a beautifully formed crystal measuring up to 1 cm on its longest extension, with a remarkable thickness of close to 8 mm. Despite its modest size, the piece stands out for its vivid color and excellent crystal quality. The crystal displays a rich, intense emerald-green which becomes especially vibrant when backlit, revealing its inner clarity and natural brilliance. Its well-developed hexagonal crystal form is clearly defined on all sides, giving the specimen a strong and aesthetically pleasing geometry. Apart from one or two microscopic abrasions, the crystal is in remarkably fine condition, with sharp edges and a clean surface overall. The emerald is naturally set on a small matrix, which enhances the visual balance and adds to the specimen’s authenticity and display appeal. A fine and elegant piece, ideal for collectors who appreciate well-formed crystals with strong color and presence, even in smaller formats.
Serifos Island, Cyclade Islands, South Aegean, Greece
Size: 5 x 4.3 x 4 cm
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This specimen is an exceptional prase quartz formation from Serifos Island, displaying a rare multi-terminated sceptre-like structure. At the top, several colorless to slightly pinkish quartz crystals form a striking crown that's visually separated from the rest. The lower body of the specimen consists of greenish prase - basically colorless quartz that gained its characteristic hue through fine actinolite inclusions. The separation between the upper terminations and the lower body is marked by a thin layer of microcrystalline quartz Just below the transition zone, a distinct layer of red microcrystalline quartz adds a vivid contrast and enriches the overall color play of the specimen. This red coloration is most likely caused by hematite inclusions, providing an additional level of visual complexity. The specimen is in pristine condition, undamaged, and highly sculptural—an aesthetically powerful and unusual example from this classic Greek locality.
Aricanga mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 10 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm
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This elegant and exactly 10 cm long, slender tourmaline crystal is accompanied at its base by attractive lepidolite, creating a well-balanced and aesthetic association. One of the most striking features is the distinct color zoning along the crystal: it transitions from a deep red tone through a lighter, slightly bluish zone and finally into a golden-yellow termination at the tip. This natural gradient gives the specimen exceptional visual depth and character. The crystal is complete at both ends. The lower termination is also fully developed and partly covered with small lepidolite crystals, adding further detail and texture to the base. The condition is excellent, with only a few very well-executed repairs and otherwise no significant abrasions or damage. A highly aesthetic and well-proportioned tourmaline with outstanding color zoning and strong display appeal.
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mun. de Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Size: 6.1 x 5.9 x 2.8 cm
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A rosasite specimen from the famous Ojuela Mine, a locality that has produced some of the finest examples of this rare mineral. The front side of this piece is particularly attractive, displaying well-formed, spherical rosasite aggregates reaching up to 6 mm in diameter. These delicate blue-green spheres are set on a limonite matrix, coated with a greenish yet contrasting layer of rosasite, enhancing the overall visual depth of the specimen. The resulting “landscape” is highly aesthetic and remains largely in excellent condition. A superb example of this uncommon mineral from a classic locality.
Galdino mine, Medina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 3.9 x 1.7 x 1.4 cm
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This remarkable apatite originates from a recent find at the Galdino Mine in Medina, a locality that continues to produce exciting and high-quality specimens. The piece stands out through its elegant, elongated crystal form and exceptional overall quality. The apatite displays a beautiful olive-green color and is wonderfully transparent, allowing for a clear view into its fascinating internal structure. Most notable is a delicate, thread-like inclusion running through the center of the crystal, reminiscent of the well-known “faden” structure seen in quartz. This feature is clearly visible from all sides and adds a unique and highly attractive character to the specimen. The crystal itself is sharply defined, with excellent luster and outstanding clarity. At the termination, it is attractively associated with well-crystallized feldspar, providing an additional aesthetic contrast. A striking and distinctive specimen from a new Brazilian find, combining elegance, rarity, and visual interest.
Okarusu Mine, Otjiwarongo District, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia
Size: 14.2 x 10.3 x 8.6 cm
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This fluorite specimen from the Okarusu Mine stands out for its exceptional golden-yellow color and remarkable brilliance, which give the entire piece a vivid, glowing presence. While green and purple fluorites from this locality are well known, this rich yellow coloration is a rare and beautiful exception, making the specimen particularly distinctive. It originates from a recent find and displays a highly elegant form, with fluorite cubes covering the piece on all sides. The condition is largely very good, with only minor and occasional small damages. The base and parts of the sides are contact areas; however, these are finely recrystallized and only show slight imperfections in a few places. A highly sculptural specimen, distinguished by its brilliant crystal quality and fresh, luminous color, giving it a truly special radiance.
Mogok Township, Mandalay Division, Burma (Myanmar)
Size: 4 x 3.6 x 1.4 cm
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I find this ruby specimen truly impressive. The crystal itself measures 1.2 cm in length and sits perfectly on a snow-white calcite matrix, where its position creates a beautifully clear and well-defined contrast that highlights the crystal in an exceptional way. However, the true highlight of this specimen is its quality and deeply saturated red coloration. Unlike the majority of rubies worldwide, which tend to show more pinkish tones, this crystal displays a rare and clearly defined ruby-red color. Best quality, color, luster and contrast make this an utterly brilliant little specimen!
Boekenhoutshoek area, Nkangala District, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Size: 8 x 5.3 x 3.3 cm
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This specimen comes from the remarkable cactus quartz occurrences of Boekenhoutshoek and is distinguished by its intense violet coloration—among the most saturated hues reported from this locality. The piece exhibits excellent crystal quality, with transparent crystals, strong lustre, and an outstanding overall condition. Larger, short-prismatic crystals alternate with smaller crystals, creating a visually striking and dynamic interplay across the surface. A superb example from an earlier find, combining exceptional color, form, and aesthetics.
Hyderabad District, Telangana, India
Size: 7.1 x 7.1 x 5.6 cm
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This Phantom Quartz specimen originates from the Hyderabad deposits and displays a distinctly well-structured formation. A thick central crystal is surrounded by smaller side-crystals, creating a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition. The most striking feature of this piece are the clearly defined internal phantoms that are particularly strong here. The glassy, transparent quartz exhibits superb lustre, with these distinctive hematite phantoms showing a beautiful purple coloration. Overall, the specimen is in very good condition, with only minimal signs of wear. A particularly attractive example from this important find.
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 4.2 x 3.4 x 3 cm
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A striking and highly aesthetic tourmaline specimen from the famous Shigar Valley, notable for its strong visual presence and excellent crystal quality. At the center of the piece stands a single, robust tourmaline crystal with a deep, dark body color and exceptional luster. Just beneath its sharply defined termination, a distinct and vivid blue zone adds a rare and eye-catching accent, giving the crystal a unique character. The prism faces are beautifully glossy, while the termination itself contrasts with a subtle matte finish. The crystal is attractively set within a bright matrix of white cleavelandite and shimmering silvery muscovite, creating a refined and balanced composition. Nested within this matrix are numerous small tourmaline crystals, adding further detail and interest upon closer inspection. A very distinctive and well-composed specimen that combines strong aesthetics with fine crystal quality.
Cavnic Mine, Maramures Co., Romania
Size: 13.3 x 8.4 x 6.9 cm
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A mineralogically interesting Dolomite specimen from the classic and well-known locality in Romania. The piece consists of a heavy galena–chalcopyrite matrix, which is overgrown by quartz crystals. These quartz crystals are almost entirely coated by brownish-orange dolomite, forming finely crystallized, botryoidal aggregates that drape the surface in a rich and textured layer. This creates a complex and visually engaging three-dimensional landscape. A fine example from this classic occurrence. The specimen is in excellent overall condition.
Kattumunnur Mine, Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India
Size: 11.2 x 7.7 x 4.5 cm
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I have seen many Amethyst specimens from the Kattumunnur Mine, but the aesthetics of this piece are truly breathtaking. A conglomerate of intergrown, flawless quartz crystals together with scattered calcite forms a sculptural, upright composition. The upper part is crowned by a “spray” of deep violet, highly lustrous Amethyst points, creating a dramatic and highly aesthetic finish. On closer inspection, these Amethysts reveal themselves as small sceptre crystals, some of which display subtle smoky zoning within the quartz core. This adds an additional layer of depth and complexity to the specimen. Visually outstanding and in absolutely excellent condition.