A beautiful emerald with the vibrant green color and glassy lustre characteristic of La Pita Mine, 3.6 cm tall, contrasted nicely on its matrix. Recently mined in early 2011, this is a most unusual specimen in that the emerald is perched on, rather embedded IN, a large rhombohedral calcite crystal. The emerald is uncracked and unrepaired, remarkable for one of this size - they usually show stress fractures at this size. It is not a thin crystal either - you can look into its depths and see it goes into the calcite. The calcite is sawed on the bottom and back, where it had to be cut out of surrounding hard rock- this does not show from the display face, in any case. What is particularly nice about this piece, is that it is very , very difficult to get anything like this display size in an emerald, without breaking the bank. While there is a compromise in that the crystal is embedded in the calcite, you get a lot of emerald and a lot of green flash in a larger piece than one might expect, for the money. Joe Budd photos

An exceptionally sharp specimen composed entirely of intergrown, twinned, razor-sharp copper crystals grown together in a very aesthetic cluster ex Scalisi collection, and probably a very old piece from one of the museum collections he got into over the years. Joe Budd photos

While amethyst from the Thunder Bay deposit is not rare, such perfectly fine, richly colored amethyst with any aesthetics is extremely uncommon on the market. This razor-sharp piece has an intense, grape-juice color to it that rivals the best color of Uraguay. Upon close inspection, minute specks of hematite inclusions are visible within - proving the location is indeed Canada, or one might think it was from Uraguay! A small amount of underlaying matrix is also unique to the Thunder Bay area. The piece displays well in moderate light, for color saturation, though shows better when backlit. It is a major piece for the location, and just a damned impressive amethyst specimen in any case, on its own merits. Joe Budd photos

A deep green malachite specimen with a naturally smooth, rolling surface - characteristic of old finds at this now classic locale. The color and lustre and smoothness of the surface makes these stand out. Joe Budd photos

This very rich specimen of austinite features huge, translucent balls of sparkling crystals, to 4 cm across, on gossan matrix. It is a significant specimen of the species showing an unusual thick and large concentration of austinite, which normally just occurs here as thin crusts. From the well known Mexico collection of Jason New, which I bought in 2010. Joe Budd photos

This matrix piece features a centered crystal of pastel blue aquamarine, of absolutely limpid clarity and high internal brightness. The crystal measures about 4 x 4 x 3.5 cm in size and is pristine, not a ding on it. There are dozens of teeny tiny accent crystals that add sparkle to it, really apparent in person, coating one side. The muscovite matrix in which it is nestled contrasts with the form and color of the sharp hexagonal beryl. While Nagar aquamarines are common at some level, this is an outstanding piece for the price range and aesthetics, that I think rises above the crowd. Joe Budd photos

On its own merits , this is a beautiful display specimen with a nice pastel blue color, and interesting geometry. More than that, this specimen is one of the very best of its rarified style: a strange, splaying and curved, very robust crystal habit that came from a small find in the mid-2000s at this famous locality. I have never seen anhydrite from here, over 25 years, that looked like this. Sure enough, anhydrite is very common here and often single crystals are just sold cheaply as wholesale material , both now and in the past. However, this particular find, this style, I have seen only a handful of fine specimens on the market or in collections - and never cheaply. They stand out from the crowd of literally thousands of other Mexican anhydrites. From the well known Mexico collection of Jason New, which I bought in 2010. I know this seems expensive for anhydrite but...its really very different from the norm, and I think worth the premium to have such a thing. Joe Budd photos

Beautiful patterning and an exceptionally sharp zoning make Laguna agates desired among agate and quartz collectors. This is a very showy piece with an interesting contrast between the core and the more subtly layered agate zones around it. Both halves are complete. Old material. The Laguna Agate area is about 150 miles south of the U.S.-Mexican border. Joe Budd photos

A superb, unusually sharp, 3.5-cm-long cinnabar twin sitting perfectly exposed upon contrasting matrix. Seldom do you get such a nice display on one of these twinned crystals, which generally were found in the late 1980s and early 1990s here. Furthermore, the lustre, and consistency of color, are both outstanding. No damage! Joe Budd photos. NOW DONATED TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TO REPLACE SPECIMEN LOST IN THE 2011 EARTHQUAKE

The photos say it all, here. This is a spectacular specimen of upright, pristine and mirror-bright hematite perched on stunningly gem clear, bright, perfect quartz crystals, all on a granite matrix. The hematites are 3-dimensional and fat, not slender and brittle as so many can be. They show complex surface patterning, only marred by a few small specks of deep red rutile perched atop. Such specimens are quite nearly impossible to collect and find in the high Alpine clefts where strahlers literally risk their lives going after them. Many matrix pieces are repaired - this is not. Many matrix pieces are big and clunky - this has perfect aesthetics and is complete all around. The accenting cascade of small, mirror-bright hematites like a waterfall down the front-right adds to the eye appeal and sparkle in a case. Quite simply, for "American tastes" of perfection and display quality, this is one of my absolute favorite Cavradi pieces I have seen over the years. From a well-known collection in the US. Joe Budd photos