International Minerals 40
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru
Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 6.3 cm
Watch Video
|
||
With a diameter of 6.8 cm the main crystal on this pyrite specimen is absolutely amazing. It is nested between other pyrites of matching quality and the uncommon dodecahedral shape. The surface shows golden luster and some beautiful structures and striations. When turning the piece around you will find it mostly crystallized and perfect with only one contacted section and hardly any abrasions. It's an excellent pyrite from one of the worlds best locales for the mineral!
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.4 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
While dealing in minerals we can see many new specimens arriving, many of which are beautiful and aesthetic.
But when it comes to sheer quality and crystal architecture I have rarely seen anything like this aquamarine from Shigar Valley!
It is an absolutely gorgeous single crystal aquamarine that is completely gemmy with uttermost brilliance!
Most striking however is the breathtaking sharp and complex “diamond cut” termination which is extremely rare, especially as it is highly lustrous and brilliant as well!
Have a look on our video which grants a wonderful look on the multi-faceted polyhedral termination and the fantastic light-reflecting luster!
The aquamarine is in flawless condition, super gemmy and has intensive blue color!
Baha, Braldu Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 5.4 x 4.3 x 4.1 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Pollucite is a rare silicate in the zeolite group that was first discovered in Tuscany, Italy. The worlds best crystals however were found in the Pakistani Skardu area.
This pollucite is very well defined and a complete, virtually perfect floater! It's a translucent white crystal with attached smaller crystals at the lower front.
Pyan Pyit, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Division, Burma (Myanmar)
Size: 6.8 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
|
|
A gemmy 2,3 cm spinel is set on a snow-white calcite matrix that's studded with small spinel micro-crystals.
The main spinel is vibrant and shows great strawberry red color when placed in warm light.
The surface is etched and highly lustrous which is characteristic for the find.
The spinel is complete and without damage.
What looks contacted on the close-up pictures is in fact flawless and shows the same nice etchings as the rest.
It's an amazing crystal emphasized by a nice contrasting matrix!
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Size: 5.2 x 4.7 x 4 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
This is one of the more unusual combinations I have seen in a while. A doubly terminated quartz, translucent and highly lustrous, piggybacks two tetrahedrite crystals with a coating of golden shimmering chalcopyrite micro-crystals and an association of metallic bournonite that has grown all over it. There is no damage visible anywhere on this fine specimen of pure beauty. Filled between the gaps there is even some calcite and feldspar present, perfecting the picture. All in all this is a brilliantly aesthetic, utterly unique piece of combination, contrast and 360° of perfection!
Zard Mts., Kharan, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 4.4 x 2.8 x 1.7 cm
Watch Video
|
||
Several sharp and lustrous anatase crystals are set on a piece of rock matrix. The largest one has 1.2 cm and is doubly terminated and flawless. Towards the lower end of the specimen there are well defined quartz crystals surrounded by calcite micro crystals which adds much in respect of aesthetics and balance.
Mundo Nuevo Mine, Mundo Nuevo, Huamachuco, Sanchez Carrion, La Libertad, Peru
Size: 3.1 x 2.9 x 2.2 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
The singel apple-green augelite crystal on this specimen is exceptionally large, showing a distinctive 2 cm broad termination! It has brilliant luster, nice transparency and a rather intensive color which is unique for the locale at Munodo Nuevo. The augelie is nested between sparkling white quartz.
The overall condition of the specimen is very good. The main crystal is complete and has only small dings.
Paprok, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
Size: 5.3 x 2.9 x 2.3 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
Two bright green tourmalines are sticking out from a lovely matrix of lilac lepidolite which privides a very nice color contrast! Both crystals are gemmy and lustrous but show differend terminations: while the larger 4.2 cm crystal has a pointed pyramidal termination, the smaller one is flat but with an unusual surface structure. The overall condition is near-perfect. Only one side-crystal on the base is broken but which doesn't much concern as the focus is of course on the protruding main crystals. Very nice in person and with a 3-dimensional character!
Serifos Island, Cyclade Islands, South Aegean, Greece
Size: 7.7 x 5.4 x 4.9 cm
Watch Video
|
||
An extremely rare and unusual specimen of andradite with hematite from Serifos Island.
The piece was found by Alfred Kugler who had it in his personal collection for many years.
Most unusual here are without doubt the hematite roses that are perched all over the brown andradite. A combination that is known at the locale yet extremely rare.
The andradite has a characteristic caramel-brown coloring with dark brown edges which emphasizes the rhomb-dodecahedral crystal shape.
The hematites are up to 1 cm in diameter and quite nicely developed!
Kharan, Kharan District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Size: 3.7 x 3 x 1.6 cm
Watch Video
|
||
The brookite crystal on this lovely little specimen is a stunning 2.3 cm long and shows best maroon color with the characteristic hourglass painting. The dominant crystal is associated with some quartz, beautifully arranged around the brookites base. A side-crystal at the back is broken but which is long re-healed and not visible from the front anyway. Fantastic aesthetics, highest crystal quality and a flawless condition make this floater from the worlds best brookite locality a total stunner!
|
|
|
Aesthetically stacked quartz crystals of glassy quality with a distinctive "Faden" that runs through the center. The crystals are all complete with only a re-crystallized contact at the bottom. Small chips at the terminations are present but hardly discernible. It's an overall brilliant and attractive specimen of finest quartz!
Paprok, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
Size: 5.5 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm
Watch Video
|
|
|
A super gemmy and colorful elbaite crystal with an amazingly complex termination. The color ranges from pink at the lower half to a fresh open apple green and a thin pink cap. The polyhedral termination however is the most striking part of this crystal and stands out among the many tourmalines with simple flat terminations. It is completely perfect and makes this an excellent specimen from this important locale!