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Ramsdellite from this small and defunct mine in a remote corner of
Arizona was first found, I am told, in the early 1900s. However, the
locality was apparently lost for some time and only rediscovered by
the father/son team of Roy Jones and Dick Jones in the 1960s. Some of
this material came out then (Roy says about 6 flats). I have seen it
turn up, from time to time, in old US collections. However, it has
remained fairly rare on the market, and thus expensive. This recent
find appeared literally in the middle of the Tucson show and surprised
me. It features very fine quality Ramsdellite crystals on
manganese-rich matrix, and the crystals have excellent lustre and
jet-black color to them. There was an old MR article about the Mistake
Mine in one of the Arizona issues, and also this is referenced in
Mineralogy of Arizona by Bideaux, et al.
RAM-04 - Ramsdellite - $125 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 4.6 x 4.2 x 3.5 cm
This is a plate of short prismatic, splendent, black, ramdellite crystals, to .5 cm across. In fact, several of the crystals are doubly terminated.
RAM-05 - Ramsdellite - $145 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 6.0 x 3.1 x 1.1 cm
On matrix is a plate of intergrown, short prismatic, splendent black crystals of ramsdellite, to .5 cm across.
RAM-06 - Ramsdellite - $450 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 6.3 x 4.6 x 2.0 cm
Emplaced on matrix is a plate of equant, short prismatic, splendent , black crystals of ramsdellite, to .5 cm across. One of the larger pieces recovered, as they tended to fracture fairly readily into small plates. Also, this is more 3-dimensional, with backing matrix.
RAM-07 - Ramsdellite - $50 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona thumbnail, 3 x 2.5 x 1.9 cm
A mound of ramdellite crystals, to .5 cm across, has formed on matrix. The crystals are equant, short prismatic, and black, with iridescent highlights.
RAM-08 - Ramsdellite - $175 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 4.0 x 2.8 x 2.4 cm
A cluster of equant, splendent, black ramdellite crystals, to .5 cm across, are emplaced on matrix. VERY 3-dimensional knoll, making for a showy piece overall - better in person!
RAM-09 - Ramsdellite - $95 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 4.2 x 3.1 x 1.4 cm
This is an intergrown plate of equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite, in crystals to .5 cm across.
RAM-10 - Ramsdellite - $450 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 6.1 x 4.7 x 2.4 cm
Emplaced on matrix is an intergrown plate of equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite, in crystals to .5 cm across. One of the larger, more robust specimens, with good isolation of larger crystals upon smaller ones.
RAM-11 - Ramsdellite - $175 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 4.3 x 2.9 x 1.9 cm
This matrix specimen features equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite crystals to .7 cm across. The price is higher for the bit of extra size, and good isolation. A fine miniature!
RAM-12 - Ramsdellite - $95 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 6.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 cm
This intergrown plate of ramsdellite is covered with equant, splendent, black crystals, to .5 cm across.
RAM-13 - Ramsdellite - $900 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 7.9 x 4.8 x 2.0 cm
In a pleasing sculptural vug is a plate of equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite crystals, to .6 cm across. This is a superb example of the species, and a beautiful, 3-dimensional piece in person
RAM-14 - Ramsdellite - $450 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 5.7 x 4.6 x 2.6 cm
Nearly covering its matrix is a plate of equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite crystals, to .6 cm across. One of the larger pieces, very 3-dimensional overall. Many crystals are quite isolated, which is unusual.
RAM-15 - Ramsdellite - $300 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 5.6 x 4.2 x 1.6 cm
Emplaced on matrix, this plate of equant, splendent, black ramsdellite crystals, to .5 cm across is partially coated by a thin, white, mineral that may be gypsum. Superb example by previous standards, this is a very aesthetic specimen that in person really stands out.
RAM-16 - Ramsdellite - $200 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.6 cm
This is a solid plate of equant, splendent, black ramsdellite crystals, to .5 cm across. In addition, many of the crystals are doubly terminated.
RAM-17 - Ramsdellite - $75 SOLD Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona miniature, 4.6 x 2.4 x 1.7 cm
This is a well-rounded mound of equant, splendent, black ramsdellite crystals, to .5 cm across. Many of the crystals are doubly terminated. Stood up, it looks like a stalactite though incomplete in the rear.
RAM-18 - Ramsdellite - $300 Mistake Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona small cabinet, 5.9 x 3.7 x 1.8 cm
On matrix is a plate of intergrown, equant, splendent, black, ramsdellite crystals, to .5 cm across.Some of the crystals are doubly terminated. Some matrix shows at bottom. Very robust, and 3-dimensional, this is much better in person and a greeat larger example for the price.
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