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KOZ-1 Azurite - $ (SOLD) For overall aesthetics and quality, this is one of the finest Azurite miniatures that I have handled from Tsumeb (and this is truly "competition level"). The specimen hosts a pair of dramatic, razor-sharp, highly lustrous, amazingly well formed, textbook, "sword-shaped" Azurite crystals of a deep midnight blue color - all very tastefully sitting on contrasting matrix. The specimen is superb in every quality. Tsumeb is renowned for its world-class Azurite specimens and this piece exemplifies why. ex. Paul Stahl collection , and he got it from an old collection in Germany . ex - Joseph Freilich, Richard A. Kosnar Collections Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia Large Miniature: 5.5 x 4.0 x 2.7 cm.
KOZ-2 Spinel in marble - $9500 Burma has produced some amazing Spinel specimens in recent years - before the embargo shut down so much of the imports and exporet-fueled mining of specimens to the US. However, and I have seen enough to judge this pretty well by now, few of them reach this size, ESPECIALLY on matrix. Spinel Crystal: 5.5 x 4.2 x 3.8 cm!! I can honestly say that I have never handled such an impressive Spinel from the standpoint of size and aesthetics. This piece features a whopper of Spinel crystal (over 2 inches !) which is complete on all sides , showing a beautiful red hue , and is translucent in areas . The crystal is aesthetically sitting on contrasting white marble matrix. The piece is very well balanced and also displays beautifully without the aid of a stand ! One rarely encounters Spinel crystals of this size from any locality, but to find one like this on matrix is virtually unheard of. Years ago, Spinels were coming out of Burma at a steady pace. Now they seemed to have all but dried up even before the embargo - at least i nany quality. This is an absolutely gorgeous small cabinet display piece of a well known species that is very difficult to obtain in such large crystals. Please note that this specimen does look better in person than the photos indicate, as it was rather difficult to accurately photograph . ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Sagaing District, Mogok, Mandalay Division, Burma Small Cabinet: 8.0 x 7.7 x 7.2 cm.
KOZ-3 Blue Topaz - $8500 The Xanda mine is one of the most prolific localities for blue Topaz in the world, and has produced some of the most impressive and memorable specimens with that distinctive preferential etching and larger sized crystals. This specimen is certainly a large Topaz from any locality, not just Brazil, and is in amazingly good condition for the size. The piece has some delicate and graceful hydrothermal etching along the sides of the prism plus the pinacoid, yet has a very well defined, large, selectively etched (041) face displayed prominently at the front of the specimen. Many have one or the other, but not both in quality. There are also some very sharp (un-etched), pyramidal (111) faces at the termination. Overall, this gemmy, baby blue color, sharp, lustrous cabinet size display piece is wonderful Topaz from this most classic of Topaz localities. Rarely do the Topaz crystals from Xanda reach this size without serious etching, which can leave them as nothing more than etched pieces of gem rough, so to find a crystal in this condition is rather rare. A very fine natural blue Topaz specimen that is not priced anywhere near 5 figures. Locality: Xanda mine, Virgem da Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil Small Cabinet: 9.0 x 8.3 x 7.7 cm.
KOZ-4 Rhodochrosite - $3750 What can I say about the Sweet Home mine that has not been said previously? It stands as one of the single most profound localities in the world for its outstanding Rhodochrosite specimens. The mine is now completely closed off and will most likely never produce these amazing specimens ever again. This piece is a very nice Rhodochrosite featuring several sharp, translucent, pink-red color rhombohedra on minor Quartz and sulfide matrix. The three most prominent rhombs are stacked upon one another like a geometric work of art. This piece is really packed with color for the size and is a perfect full-sized miniature. Largest Rhodochrosite: 1.8 cm. on edge. These specimens have been sky-rocketing in value over the last few years, and there is no indication that this trend will stop anytime soon. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Sweet Home mine, near Alma, Park County, Colorado Miniature: 5.2 x 4.1 x 1.9 cm.
KOZ-5 Spodumene (var: "Kunzite") - $8500 ex - Norm and Roz Pellman Collection. This particular crystal is a rather thick and robust crystal with bright purplish-pink color. For a crystal of this thickness, it is amazingly gemmy and complete all the way around. Honestly, the crystal is more than 90% gem quality and shows a VIBRANT pink color when viewed down the c axis. The crystal is rather lustrous as well, at not at all dull or pitted like many can be. This is a very high quality Kunzite, especially for a cabinet size piece, and would be very difficult to replace considering the prices of specimens these days and the cost to buy (often in Euros now) in Afghanistan. This piece came from the Pellman Collection and is certainly one of the best Kunzite crystals that I have had the pleasure to offer for sale in this size range. The specimen comes with a custom lucite display base. Locality: Kunar Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan CABINET: 10.7 x 6.6 x 3.5 cm. ex - Norm and Roz Pellman Collection
KOZ-6 Beryl (var: "Emerald") - $13500 Without question, Colombia stands alone as the finest producer of Emerald specimens in the world. When these specimens reach the pinnacle of quality, they are simply breathtaking. This piece is just about as aesthetic as you can get for a Colombian Emerald. The Emerald measures 3.0 x 1.2 cm. The 3.2-cm-long crystal is perfectly centered against a matrix of white Calcite, and displays completely on its own without the aid of a stand or clay, although it does come with a custom lucite base. It is highly gemmy for an Emerald of this size, and not at all cloudy or murky, like so many tend to be. The color is almost electric as it is not a dark green, but a very vibrant green and extremely lively. The crystal itself is perfectly terminated with sharp, lustrous faces on the prism and immediately catches your eye from across the room. All in all, it is an ideal Emerald miniature and a striking display piece with a gorgeous crystal that just dances off the matrix. For a miniature sized emerald, without costing more than 25k, this is really ridiculously good for theprice in my opinion. Locality: Cosquez mine, Muzo, Vasquez-Yacopi Mining District, Boyacá Department, Colombia Miniature: 4.7 x 4.1 x 3.6 cm.
KOZ-7 Calcite with Hematite inclusions - $8500 This is a truly spectacular, old time English Calcite specimen consisting of dozens of sharp, gemmy, translucent/gemmy "dog-tooth" habit scalenohedral crystals with beautiful inclusions of reddish Hematite creating a very eye-catching cabinet size display piece. The crystals are just bursting out 3-dimensionally in all directions and the piece is essentially crystallized all the way around, showing no matrix from the display side though it remains underneath. Most of the crystals are pristine and the specimen displays very well from several angles. English Calcites are in the upper echelon when it comes to world-wide classics, and this piece is certainly among the finest I have handled of this particular style. Beyond that, its just damned pretty anyhow, and attractive as a calcite or mineral from ANY locality. This specimen came out in the late 1800s, one would guess with a fair amount of certainty. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Stank mine, Barrow, Furness, Cumbria (North Lancashire), England CABINET: 12.0 x 9.3 x7.8 cm.
KOZ-8 Descloizite (Cuprian) - $1500 Berg Aukus is the premier locality for Descloizite specimens. This piece is a very attractive display specimen featuring dozens of incredibly well formed, attractive, olive-brown, orthorhombic chisel-shaped crystals of Descloizite. The piece has a light dusting of iron-oxide for a nice color accent. Overall, this cabinet piece is in great condition and is one of the better Descloizites of this habit that I have seen offered. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Berg Aukus, Grootfontein District, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia CABINET: 13.5 x 8.2 x 7.3 cm.
KOZ-9 Kunzite ("floater") - $3000 This is a great classic Brazilian Kunzite specimen showing delightful hydrothermal etching on all sides. The piece is essentially a floater, as I cannot find any point of attachment. It has a lovely pink color and is nearly 100% gem quality, although it is very difficult to illustrate this in the photos. The piece has a small etched "hole" in the middle where you can see right through to the other side. Before Afghanistan, these specimens stood as some of the finest for this variety of Spodumene extant, and in regards to outright sparkly brilliance and lustre, still do. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Urucum Mine, Galiléia, Minas Gerais, Brazil CABINET: 10.8 x 4.7 x 4.1 cm.
KOZ-10 Aquamarine - $1750 (SOLD) This is such a richly colored Aquamarine crystal it really should be called "Blue Beryl". In addition to the color, the crystal is incredibly gemmy (nearly 95% gem quality) with good luster some attractive pyramidal modifications to the termination. You don’t see many Beryls with this color, from any locality, especially in such fine quality crystals. This piece would make a great addition to any Beryl suite, or a gem crystal collection. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Jos Plateau, Plateau State, Nigeria Miniature: 4.2 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm.
KOZ-11 Calcite with Hematite inclusions - $2000 Calcite is one of the most abundant species on the planet, but Tsumeb Calcites come in a wide range of habits and colors, making them one of the most diverse species from this historic and prolific locality. This highly attractive display specimen comprises dozens of razor sharp, highly lustrous, white, rhombohedra of Calcite with a wash of reddish colored Hematite inclusions on two sides, creating a stunning two-tone color effect. Largest Crystal: 2.5 cm. on edge. This specimen is in remarkable condition and displays very well from several angles. It is attached to a black rubber base for easy display if you choose to show the piece from the "white" side or the "red" side or the "red and white" side. Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia CABINET: 11.4 x 8.7 x 6.3 cm.
KOZ-12 Quartz on Fluorite - $1250 (SOLD) Here we have a superb old-time English Quartz and Fluorite specimen from Weardale. This piece features dozens of sharp, white, lustrous, "stubby" Quartz crystals coating very good sized, gemmy, purplish cubic Fluorite crystals. The Quartz crystals seem to have a higher concentration along the edges of the Fluorites and are thinner on the actual Fluorite faces. These pieces are English classics, and seldom seen in such high quality display specimens on the market today. The piece truly looks better in person, and for a cabinet specimen, it is in amazingly good condition. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Frazers Hush mine, Weardale, Durham, England CABINET: 12.7 x 9.3 x 6.0 cm.
KOZ-13 Elbaite on Quartz - $9000 (SOLD) These specimens are true U.S. classics, and some of the most highly sought after Tourmalines in the world. This particular specimen is a particularly rare intact matrix specimen, due to the fact that it is not repaired. The majority of Himalaya Tourmalines, including many single crystals off matrix, have at least one repair. It features a lovely, lustrous, gemmy, thick, pure classic red-pink color crystal of Elbaite aesthetically sitting at a 45 degree angle on an equant, "stubby", sharp, lustrous, gemmy Smoky Quartz crystal. Now the termination of the Quartz looks like it is damaged, but part of it is actually terminated, while a small area has a minor bruise, but the termination is not missing by any means. Tourmaline Crystal: 6.3 cm in length, and really much gemmier in person. The piece displays very well without the aid of a stand or clay, but it does come with a custom lucite base for better display. The Himalaya mine will always stand as one of the great U.S. and worldwide Tourmaline localities, and matrix specimens will always be in demand. ex - Irv Brown to Chris Korpi to Richard A. Kosnar Collections Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California CABINET: 10.5 x 10.2 x 7.8 cm.
KOZ-14 Willemite - $3500 (SOLD) When they are at their best, Tsumeb Willemites can be jawdropping for color! This specimen consists of excellent quality, GEM/gemmy, rich teal-blue botryoidal aggregates of Willemite which are associated with minor green Bayldonite. This piece has such a great coverage of Willemite, and the color catches one’s attention in a heartbeat. You do not see many Willemites like this on the market from any locality, and they are certainly a necessity in any Tsumeb collection and a rare addition to other suites. This beauty comes with a custom lucite base for easy display. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia Small Cabinet: 6.3 x 3.3 x 2.6 cm.
KOZ-15 Copper - $3750 When it comes to Copper, you cannot deny the appeal of Michigan specimens. This area has produced some of the finest and most famous Copper specimens in the world. This exceptionally bright specimen hosts a very nice modified dodecahedron of Copper with relatively sharp faces which are accompanied by a few branching "arms" of Copper. The central crystal is unusually robust, equant, and 3-dimensionally complete all around. Superb specimen from the family collection which included a number of famous and historic copper specimens. This specimen comes with a lucite base that is custom made to display the specimen. This is a competition level copper, that just impresses for form and geometry whereas many do not. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan SMALL CABINET: 6.2 x 4.3 x 3.5 cm.
KOZ-16 Elbaite with Lepidolite on Microcline - $8500 These specimens are true U.S. classics, unique in overall aspect, and some of the most highly sought after Tourmalines in the world. This piece is a very impressive Tourmaline from the world famous Himalaya mine showing beautiful multicolor pink and green zoning. The upper portion of this large, fine quality crystal has a very good termination and actually has a light straw yellow color zone that is distinct "cat’s eye" quality gem material. The prism faces of the crystal have excellent luster and are not dull or frosted whatsoever. The crystal is associated with small purple color crystal clusters of Lepidolite which are sandwiched between the Tourmaline and a grey Microcline crystal section. It is doubly-termninated. The piece has only one repair, which is more than forgivable for a Himalaya Tourmaline specimen of this size and color. The specimen comes with a custom lucite display base to show it off in all it’s glory. Ex Ben De Wit and Richard A Kosnar collections. Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California CABINET: 14.8 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
KOZ-17 Aquamarine on Feldspar - $9500 Pakistan has provided collectors with some outstanding matrix Aquamarine specimens over the years, and this piece is certainly one of the finest quality matrix specimens that I have offered for sale. It features a wondrous GEM quality crystal of Aquamarine with an alluring baby blue color and remarkably sharp, lustrous faces. The crystal is aesthetically flaring off partially etched, off-white color, blocky Microcline crystal matrix. The Aqua measures 6.5 x 1.7 cm. Acutally, there's a little broken "stem" on the bottom of the Aqua crystal, so you can technically say that's part of the crystal, then the size would actually be 7.6 x 1.7 cm. This is such a dramatic specimen with undeniable appeal and sheer external beauty, it has all the qualities of a top-shelf matrix Pakistani Aquamarine specimen. The specimen comes with a custom lucite base which displays the piece beautifully. Locality: Gilgit, Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan Small Cabinet: 8.2 x 5.2 x 3.9 cm.
KOZ-18 Peridot (Huge crystal!) - $6000 Peridot is not known to form superb quality crystals from many worldwide localities, despite the fact that is a very well known gem mineral. It was not very long ago that Pakistan began to produce some of the finest quality gem Peridot crystals extant. This specimen is certainly one of the largest complete Peridot crystals that I have encountered from Pakistan. The crystal has superb textbook "chisel" or "wedge"-shaped form with rather sharp faces. The color is a gorgeous lime green and the crystal absolutely glows when backlit. For the size, it is a very impressive crystal and a wonderful display specimen of a mineral that is not often found in large complete crystals like this one. The crystal comes with its very own custom lucite base for display. ex - Joseph Freilich and Richard A. Kosnar Collections Locality: Soppat (Suppat), Manshera, Naran-Kagan Valley, Kohistan District, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan Small Cabinet: 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.7 cm.
KOZ-19 Pyromorphite - $1750 A rather important and surprisingly attractive English Pyromorphite display specimen showing lustrous yellow-green prismatic crystals and crystal "sprays" sitting atop beautifully contrasting white Barite and dark orange-brown colored Limonite matrix. English Pyromorphites are becoming exceedingly difficult to obtain these days...and have been for oh about 100 years now! ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Mexico Mine, Roughton Gill, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, England Small Cabinet: 7.5 x 5.8 x 5.7 cm. Largest Crystal: 1.3 cm.
KOZ-20 Manganite - $8500 From the premier locality for Manganite EVER, from a find in the mid 1880's (see Peter Bancroft's Gem and Crystal Treasures book for an amazing story on it!), this piece is a very sculptural and eye-catching display specimen with excellent quality: relatively large, sharp, lustrous, black crystals of Manganite jutting out of a massive Manganite matrix. The piece is jet black,lustrous, and not a "dark ugly" - actually very attractive when displayed properly, so it makes good sense that the piece is accompanied by its own custom made lucite display stand. Ilfeld Manganites are perhaps my favorite of all European classics for the significance of the finds in the context of natural history, and this locality is long defunct. ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz Mountains, Thuringia, Germany Small Cabinet: 8.2 x 7.5 x 4.3 cm.
KOZ-21 Wulfenite - $1750 Tsumeb has produced a wide variety of Wulfenites with a good diversity of colors and habits. This specimen is a lovely cabinet display piece covered with thin, tabular, light yellow-green color, "window pane" habit crystals of Wulfenite delicately sitting on gossan matrix. The crystals are rather lustrous with excellent gemminess and really sparkle in the light. The piece displays very well, and the majority of the Wulfenite crystals are absolutely pristine. Lastly, this piece is a bit fragile, so specimen arrangements may have to be made to deliver it safely to whomever decides to purchase it. A great overall Wulfenite from this most classic of localities. ex - Prosper Williams Collection and ex - Richard A. Kosnar Collection Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia CABINET: 10.3 x 7.7 x 6.0 cm. Largest Crystal: 1.1 cm.
KOZ-22 Copper - $3250 This specimen is certainly one of the most peculiar and attractive Arizona Copper specimens that I have handled. It has an almost organic, plant-like appearance which comprises several hundred tiny, sharp cubic Copper crystals which have grown into "pseudo-rosette" formations and are all linked together forming a gorgeous overall display specimen that resembles fire coral or a similar kind of aquatic plant life. This specimen is from the Charlie Freed collection (Los Angeles) and came with a small hand-written label establishing that it was from the "Irish Mag Shaft, Bisbee" - so validated by several AZ experts. The specimen is accompanied by a lucite display base that allows the piece to be exhibited admirably. This is the only major Copper specimen from this mine that I have ever hand to opportunity to offer for sale, and from the research I gathered, they seem to be rather difficult to obtain, especially in cabinet size specimens such as this. ex - Charlie Freed Collection. Locality: Irish Mag Mine, Warren District, Mule Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona CABINET: 14.7 x 9.0 x 5.7 cm.
KOZ-23 Azurite - $5000 Tsumeb stands as one of the most important localities for Azurite specimens extant. A few of the characteristics of a top Tsumeb Azurite are sharpness, luster and gemminess and this piece has all three. This tabular crystal group features a few fine quality rather sharp, lustrous, GEMMY intense royal blue color crystals of Azurite forming a very pleasing overall specimen. The piece is crystallized on the front and reverse sides, and shows the ELECTRIC BLUE color along the edges when backlit. You can count all the localities in the world that produce Azurite of this quality on one hand. ex - Richard Kosnar Collection Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia Small Cabinet: 6.7 x 6.3 x 2.2 cm.
KOZ-24 Dioptase - $17,000 Largest Dioptase Crystal: 2.5 cm. (!) . Simply put, this is one of the finest Tsumeb Dioptase specimens that I have ever offered for sale for a combination of size and significance, in this size range. The piece itself has tremendous visual impact and grabs one's attention immediately. The piece is highlighted by a rather large, sharp, translucent/gemmy, INTENSE emerald green color trigonal crystal that is protruding from the front of the specimen like a Nordic dragon on the mast of an old sailing vessel. The rest of the specimen includes several more Dioptase crystals of excellent quality with high luster and rich color which are intermixed by accenting patches of wonderfully contrasting white Calcite. Although Tsumeb produced much Dioptase in its day, the one problem that I have always found with many of the specimens is that crystals are rarely isolated on the specimens, but rather form as clusters of intergrown crystals. This specimen however, has such a large, alluring crystal that completely stands out from the others, it truly separates itself from hundreds of others. If you're in the market for a superb Tsumeb Dioptase display specimen, this piece has all the qualities of a top piece. Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia Small Cabinet: 8.1 x 3.6 x 3.7 cm.
KOZ-25 Cobaltoan Smithsonite - $6000 Smithsonite is found in a wide arrange of colors from Tsumeb alone. Some of the most highly sought after specimens are the pink "Cobaltoan" variety of the species. This piece is such a pretty specimen because it is so well-balanced and displays beautifully. And teh color is REALLY good! It has a full coverage on the display side of gemmy, sharp, baby-pink color modified rhombohedra (to 7mm) of Smithsonite on dense sulfide matrix. The specimen is in amazingly good condition as nearly 99% of the crystals on the display side are undamaged. This is an alluring small cabinet specimen of this classic material. Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia Small Cabinet: 9.1 x 6.7 x 5.2 cm.
KOZ-26 Beryl (var: "Morganite") - $8500 When it comes to Morganite, Afghanistan is among the leaders for producing the finest specimens extant. This beauty is a very impressive Morganite crystal showing a lovely baby pink color and wonderful gem quality sections. The piece has superb textbook tabular hexagonal form with some modifying 1011 and 1121 faces along the pinacoid. On the back of the crystal is an attractive "snowball" of white Albite (var: "Cleavelandite") and due to the fact that the Morganite crystal is so gemmy, the Cleavelandite shows all the way through to the front. It's a very impressive Morganite specimen, and would a very colorful addition to any collection as this color is rarely seen in gem xls in the mineral world. Locality: Pech, Kunar Province, Afghanistan Small Cabinet: 9.2 x 5.6 x 5.1 cm.
KOZ-27 Bournonite - $12500 What an amazing Bournonite specimen this is - sharp and clean like a crysatl carved from molten wax rather than nature! It's not even an English, German, Bolivian or Peruvian piece as any sensible person would assume, but rather a superb specimen from a much more uncommon locality - FRANCE! Remining at this cery old locality in recent decades has produced just a few pockets of superb bournonites that are just incredible by historic standards for the locality, but also good by worldwide standards as well. This is from a pocket in the early 90's. Few have made it outside of narrow circles of collectors in that region. This one did, only because it needed to be trimmed and thus had to go to the Americans and their labs here... The resultant piece, still a cabinet size specimen , is just gorgeous. It hosts several impressive, classic, tabular, "cogwheel"-shaped, gun metal color crystals to just over 2 inches, aesthetically sitting atop dark orange-brown Sphalerite crystals on ore matrix. The crystals are so distinct, that they honestly look like somebody actually SCULPTED these gorgeous geometric shapes. The overall visual appeal and size and quality of the crystals themselves ASIDE FROM the fact that it is one of the finest quality specimens from Gard , make it a world class Bournonite. Locality: Les Malines Mine, Saint-Laurent-le-Minier, Gard, Languedoc-Rousillon, France CABINET: 10.3 x 5.8 x 5.7 cm.
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