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11.2 x 7.0 x 5.0 cm. A striking, glassy, water-clear, 8.2 cm smoky quartz crystal set on milky quartz matrix from a recent find in Brazil. This crystal is doubly terminated, has interesting stepped-growth on the primary face near the termination and the smoky color-zoning and internal crazing really add character to this fine specimen. Contemporary classic cabinet material from Brazil.
13.0 x 9.0 x 6.7 cm. Striking, two-toned, very glassy and lustrous, intergrown apophyllite crystals are beautifully framed by pearlescent stilbite blades on the strangely parallel-growth, drusy quartz-covered basalt matrix on this beautiful cabinet combination specimen from recent finds at Jalgaon. The intergrown, gem-like, blocky apophyllite crystals are 3.9 x 3.2 cm. One of the stilbite blades has tiny gem apophyllites on one face. Very interesting. Classic combination material from Jalgaon.
14.9 x 11.6 x 7.9 cm. An impressive, sharp, cabinet smoky quartz crystal from Novo Horizonte, Brazil. The water-clear, glassy smoky quartz is all shot through with glimmering, golden needles of rutile. The termination is complete-all-around and nearly pristine. The faces of this large crystal are so lustrous and clear, it is just a great large example. Really striking. Older material from the Ernie Schlichter Collection. Weighs 3.3 pounds or 1.5 kilograms.
10.1 x 9.6 x 2.2 cm. A magnificent, cabinet cluster of stacked, increasingly larger, water-clear, tabular quartz crystals with a distinct faden or "string" line clearly visible running through the crystals from top to bottom. All of the crystals are double terminated and have beautiful beveled edges. This is a near floater doubly terminated cluster and looks like a hatchet with two, sharp edges. Nearly pristine. This is indeed, a striking and very fine large specimen from this late 1990s find.
14.5 x 8.8 x 6.4 cm. Mineral specimens from the famous Comstock Lode at Virginia City, Nevada are rare today, even in museums. The remoteness of the locality and lack of "showy" specimens precluded high-graders, other than for rich ore. The bonanza silver ores were depleted by 1878. This old-time, excellent cabinet specimen from the famous Savage Mine consists of glassy, transparent to translucent quartz crystals to about 3.0 cm. Rarely are mine locations known for Comstock Lode specimens, so this piece is exceptional. Ex. Russell Jones Collection and accompanied by an older Minerals Unlimited label.
14.8 x 9.2 x 6.3 cm. A fine and strange looking cabinet combination specimen from a new find at the San Antonio Mine at Santa Eulalia. Sharp, pretty lavender fluorite cubes to 2.5 cm are nestled amongst very strange looking, etched/melted, karstic-looking calcite formations. The large calcite looks like a castle with towers on the top. Two generations of calcite are present: lower, massive, translucent, whitish calcite; and capped by sharp, tan to colorless calcite scalenohedrons. The fluorites and calcite rest on a matrix plate covered by sharp, colorless quartz needles. Unusually, the massive calcite fluoresces vivid orange-pink, while the crystallized calcite does not fluoresce.
5.4 x 3.0 x 2.3 cm. This is a fine specimen consisting of superb, sharp, gemmy, highly lustrous, prismatic, purple color crystals of Amethyst measuring up to 2.2 cm sitting atop white/colorless, modified rhombohedra of Calcite with underlain green "Chlorite" on matrix. This piece is remarkable for Bolivia as the quality of the crystals is as fine as I have seen for Amethyst from any Bolivian locality.
6.0 x 4.8 x 3.6 cm. This specimen was found about 5-6 months ago (2009) and is one of the more attractive Cassiterite association specimens that I have encountered in years. Bolivia has probably produced more tin than any other country in the world. The great tin mines at Viloco (sometimes called Araca) have produced some of the most magnificent Cassiterite specimens extant. This particular specimen host of several fine, sharp, highly lustrous, black-brown cyclic twinned crystals measuring up to 1.6 cm across which are associated with very eye-catching Quartz crystals that actually have small Smoky Quartz "phantoms" in the center of the prisms.
3.2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm. Monazite gets its name from the Greek word "monazein", which means "to be alone", in allusion to its isolated crystals and their rarity when first found. Monazite is usually found in granitic pegmatites, but these crystals are found in hydrothermal tin veins where is an absolute absence of Thorium (usually a trace element in Monazite). This is a remarkable, very well crystallized, very rare specimen consisting of sharp, lustrous, translucent, orange-pink, twinned crystals on Monazite-(Ce) measuring up to 9 mm on Quartz crystals on matrix. This piece is from the same mine for which this material was discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins in this mine and was first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy. These crystals also do a color change from indoor lighting to sunlight (more pink indoors).
5.0 x 3.5 x 2.8 cm. I remember seeing some of these specimens around 2006, and they certainly made an impact on me due to their amazing similarity to the classic and famous Rose Quartz specimens from Brazil. This specimen features a rarely seen and highly sought after "halo"-shaped growth of intense pink Rose Quartz crystals sitting atop a light colored Smoky Quartz crystal. The piece is amazingly reminiscent of those from Itinga, Brazil which were found over 30 years ago. For the size of the crystals, the color is outstanding, and even though Rose Quartz is fairly common in the world, there are only a handful of localities where well-crystallized display specimens such as this are found. Afghanistan is obviously not what comes to mind when one thinks of Rose Quartz specimens, and this piece is a great example of how certain pegmatites on opposite sides of the planet can resemble one another. I'm told that these specimens are no longer coming out of the ground. Ex. Brian Kosnar Collection.
4.2 x 3.7 x 2.3 cm. These specimens are some of the most classic Quartz after Calcite pseudomorphs or "casts" from any world locality. With that said, this specimen is a fantastic example showing the perfect scalenohedral form of the previous Calcite crystals which were replaced coated by very small, almost "sugary", gem quality, colorless Quartz crystals. The Calcite crystals were then dissolved away by a solution that entered the pocket at a later date, leaving behind only the Quartz crystal "crust". A wonderful specimen from a district that produced some of the most classic "casts" from all of Colorado. Ex. Richard Kosnar Collection.
4.4 x 3.6 x 2.2 cm. Colorado collectors will tell you that obtaining specimens from Gilpin County is very difficult because the vast majority of the mining took place before WWII and good quality pieces simply are not around. The Patch Mine near Central City in Colorado is one of the most classic localities on the front range. Gilpin County is the site of the first discovery of Gold in Colorado, and the Patch Mine (often referred to as the Glory Hole Mine) is a still standing landmark just southwest of Central City. This piece is filled with classic, sharp, lustrous, water-clear, colorless scepter Quartz crystals associated with black tetrahedral Sphalerite crystals on massive Quartz matrix. The largest Quartz crystal measures 1.0 cm long. A fine specimen of this material. Ex. Brian Kosnar Collection.
8.3 x 5.7 x 4.8 cm. Some of the largest and most displayable specimens of Wavellite have come from the Siglo XX mine in Bolivia as described by Mark Bandy. This piece is a very unique specimen, and one of the few bicolor Wavellites I have seen from this prolific locality. Featured at the top of the piece is a soft yellow color, radiating aggregate of Wavellite measuring 1.4 cm across which is perched atop gem quality, prismatic Quartz crystals with a slight smoky color. The key aspect to this piece is the fact that there is a coverage of light bluish-green Wavellite on virtually every side of the piece (including the underside). To find Wavellite on the same specimen from Siglo XX with two distinctly different colors like this is certainly rare, and this piece is more than just a Wavellite from Bolivia, it's a very interesting and unusual phosphate specimen from any locality.
14.3 x 14.1 x 10.3 cm. Siglo XX is one of the most impressive Bolivian localities. It is the type locality for many "best in the world" species, and it even produces some amazing specimens of common species like Quartz. Japan-Law twin Quartz specimens are well known in the mineral world and this piece is a great example of said material. The specimen hosts dozens of absolutely water-clear, razor sharp, highly lustrous, prismatic, colorless Quartz crystals, which are included by small specks of grey Bismuthinite, but the most important aspect of the piece is one very attractive Japan-Law twin measuring 3.5 cm across which is aesthetically flaring off the side. The specimen is associated with a minor coating of beige Wavellite.
6.7 x 5.2 x 5.1 cm. These are some of the most recognizable Manganoan Calcite specimens in the world. This particular piece features several aesthetic, "feathery" pink scalenohedral crystals of Manganoan Calcite associated with minor black Tetrahedrite and Quartz. These Calcites have a truly unique look to them. These pieces are no longer being mined, and are now some of the great "classics" from Peru. All Content and Design ©1996-2012 The ArkenstonePowered by http://mineralwebsites.comMineral Specimens by species; or by specimen id. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
share specimen![Quartz (Var: Smoky Quartz) from Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266283a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266283a.jpg)
![Apophyllite-(KF), Stilbite-Ca, Quartz from Jalgaon District, Maharashtra, India [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266374a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266374a.jpg)
![Quartz (Var: Rutilated Quartz) from Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266380a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266380a.jpg)
![Quartz from South Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266389a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266389a.jpg)
![Quartz from Savage mine (Savage and Hall mine), Comstock Lode, Comstock District, Storey Co., Nevada, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266399a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266399a.jpg)
![Fluorite, Calcite, Quartz from San Antonio Mine (San Antonio el Grande Mine), East Camp, Santa Eulalia District, Mun. de Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua, Mexico [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266400a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266400a.jpg)
![Fluorite, Calcite, Quartz from San Antonio Mine (San Antonio el Grande Mine), East Camp, Santa Eulalia District, Mun. de Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua, Mexico [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266400b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266400b.jpg)
![Quartz (Var: Amethyst), Calcite from Bombori, Chayanta Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266407a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266407a.jpg)
![Cassiterite, Quartz from Viloco Mine (Araca mine), Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266408a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266408a.jpg)
![Cassiterite, Quartz from Viloco Mine (Araca mine), Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266408b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266408b.jpg)
![Monazite-(Ce), Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416a.jpg)
![Monazite-(Ce), Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416b.jpg)
![Monazite-(Ce), Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416c.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266416c.jpg)
![Quartz (Var: Rose Quartz), Quartz (Var: Smoky Quartz) from Darra-i-Pech (Pech; Peech; Darra-e-Pech) Pegmatite Field, Nangarhar (Ningarhar) Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266432a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266432a.jpg)
![Quartz from Crystal Cave, Ouray, Ouray District (Uncompahgre District), Ouray Co., Colorado, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266435a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266435a.jpg)
![Quartz from Crystal Cave, Ouray, Ouray District (Uncompahgre District), Ouray Co., Colorado, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266435b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266435b.jpg)
![Quartz, Sphalerite from Patch Mine (Glory Hole Mine), Central City District, Gilpin Co., Colorado, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266439a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266439a.jpg)
![Wavellite, Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895a.jpg)
![Wavellite, Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895b.jpg)
![Wavellite, Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895c.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266895c.jpg)
![Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266905a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266905a.jpg)
![Quartz from Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosà Department, Bolivia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266905b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266905b.jpg)
![Calcite (Var: Manganoan Calcite), Tetrahedrite, Quartz from Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province, Ancash Department, Peru [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266915a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266915a.jpg)
![Calcite (Var: Manganoan Calcite), Tetrahedrite, Quartz from Pachapaqui District, Bolognesi Province, Ancash Department, Peru [db_pics/mdpics/MD-266915b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-266915b.jpg)