please also see our early 2012 update of minerals from this mine at the link here:

  http://www.irocks.com/CHINESE_MINERAL_SPECIMENS-2012a.html

 Newly updated specimens follow:

This interesting combination piece was found in the summer of 2012, and has a sharp 6.5-cm-long scheelite perched on quartz and other scheelites. A nice doubly-terminated quartz crystal flanks the main scheelite. The symmetry of the scheelite, if not its color, makes it very dramatic and 3-dimensional. I saw many examples from this pocket and selected only a few in very good condition, which to me showed appealing geometry and/or association. Fluorescent slightly differently, under LW and SW UV light.

A sharp specimen of superb genthelvite crystals of a translucent red-amber color , to 1.6 cm, in a beautiful matrix of calcite. This is a highly uusual association, and I find it far more aesthetic than nearly all the others I have seen (and seldom bought) from here in any size. Many people are calling these best of species material, and when seen in a combo piece like this it is tempting to agree.

So many fluorites from this mine complex (actually 7-8 mines) are colorless, and these hot purple fluorites are to me among the most desirable. This piece features an interesting, pretty juxtaposition of two very different fluorite styles, on the same piece. The stalactite of small, gemmy octohedra packed together just shotos up out of the side of the larger, deeper purple octohedron. It looks like it was just stuck on randomly, or like some weird biological outgrowth. The piece is complete 360 around the sides, and top of the display face; just not on the bottom (where it is partially contacted and also just a little damaged at the bottom where removed from the host rock). It honestly displays about 4 different ways, from all sides looking equally good. I have seen a number of pieces from this pocket now (probably from April, 2012) , but none quite like this. The miners themselves, quite understandably, put a huge premium on the few purple fluorites amidst so many clear and colorless finds here.

A stark and dramatic example of quartz grown in several generations, with one layer overtopping the others to create this "sceptre" effect. While I have seen a number of pieces from this mine which show this habit of quartz formation, few have been as dramatic as this one for symmetry, size balance, and color/luster. Also, a dark phantom of a previous generation of quartz can be seen inside, and there are some small calcite crystals in association. Complete all around.

Spheres, to 6 mm across, of lustrous and slightly translucent, rich, sky blue gibbsite, an uncommon aluminum hydroxide, almost totally cover a sliver of matrix. This new find is possibly the world's best of species for intensity in coloration. Very pretty material! Very lightweight. One of the better quality pieces I saw for sale in a whole table of the material laid out at the Shanghai show in April 2012.