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CKTSR-34 - TINZENITE on CALCITE - SOLD Wessels Mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa miniature, 4.5 x 3.5 x 3 cm ex. Charlie Key
Charlie says this is by 2 orders of magnitude the best of species, and I believe him (as do others I have run this by). This piece, to me, is one of the most shocking surprises of the collection in that i had never even heard of the species coming from SA, and yet here is world's best...and beautiful full miniature to boot?! These crystals have the color of the best serandite, and lustre like glass. They reach 1.5 cm in size. Overall, its an extraordinarily beautiful specimen that is also of mineralogical significance.
DEN11-407 - Axinite - $ 27500 Dodo Mine, Saranpaul, Prepolar Ural Mtns., Western-Siberian Region, Russia large cabinet, 14.0 x 10.5 x 10.5 cm ex. Dr. Edward David
This important large specimen features a 12-cm-long doubly-terminated, gem crystal on top! That crystal is RAZOR sharp, literally. It is extremely translucent and has the best lively brown color when backlit, not too dark as many are. The piece is nearly pristine all around, with just a small bit of contact or damage in back (and not on the main crystal). The way the matrix balances and contrasts, is also unusual as most large axinites are simply masses of axinite with little matrix to offset the crystals. This is a rarified, large piece from the mining in the 1980s heyday here. It was in the Ed David collection in the 1990s, and then the Marc Weill collection in the early 2000's. I think such a piece is simply not out there on the modern market. Joe Budd photos
GEMS-113 - Axinite - $ 250 Pakistan thumbnail, 9.7 x 8.4 mm ;3.32 carats
Axinite is typically considered a collector's stone. This particular gem is a lovely golden-brown / purple color gem with a Cushion cut. Axinite rarely forms in crystals that are gemmy or thick enough for faceting. It is indeed a very rare gem considering that rough is extremely difficult to find. To find a gem over 3 carats is very impressive. Axinite gems are rarely completely clean, so inclusions are accepted by most collectors and dealers. This stone is has some slight inclusions, but shows some trichroism as it does a change color when rotated in different directions. Axinite is actually hard enough that it can be worn in jewelry, though it is a bit brittle.
MD-172430 - Tinzenite, Calcite - - Archived Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa miniature, 4.5 x 3.5 x 3 cm.
4.5 x 3.5 x 3 cm. Charlie says this is by 2 orders of magnitude the best of species, and I believe him. Even more surprising is the locality, as I’d never heard of tinzenite from South Africa before. These crystals have the color of the best serandite and lustre like glass. They reach 1.5 cm in size. Overall, it’s an extraordinarily beautiful specimen that is also of mineralogical significance. Ex. Charlie Key.
MD-19659 - Tinzenite - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy miniature, 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm
Bright orange rosettes of the rare axinite group mineral tinzenite on sharp, transparent quartz crystals from Italy. A very nice contrast! From a recent one-time pocket of the material 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm
MD-20199 - Tinzenite - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy thumbnail, 2.5 x 2 x 1.5 cm
A REALLY colorful and bright thumbnail, with excellent contrast between the orange tinzenite and the quartz! Although small in size, it is a really classy specimen and my favorite of the lot. 2.5 x 2 x 1.5 cm
MD-51286 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy miniature, 5 x 3.75 x 3.5 cm
An unusually large and rich specimen, with thick clusters of tinzenite in radiating balls, on a small bit of attached matrix. This is the largest and richest piece, by weight of the material, that I have had. Despite its size, it is in good shape, with just a few very minor dings to it. 5 x 3.75 x 3.5 cm
MD-51287 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy miniature, 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.7 cm
A really attractive, balanced miniature with sharp crystals showing unusual isolation, to 8mm. 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.7 cm
MD-51288 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy miniature, 3.8 x 2 x 1.3 cm
An elongated plate loaded with tinzenite and quartz, very bright and sparkly! 3.8 x 2 x 1.3 cm
MD-51289 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy thumbnail, 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.4cm
A beautiful piece loaded with tinzenite and quartz, very bright and sparkly! 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.4cm
MD-51290 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.3 x 0.5 cm
A rich specimen with vertical rolling clusters of tinzenite, very attractive! 2.7 x 2.3 x 0.5 cm
MD-51291 - Tinzenite, Quartz - - Archived Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy thumbnail, 3 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm
A very rich piece with deep color! 3 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm
RLKG10-159 - Axinite - $ 550 Pakistan thumbnail, 12.5 x 8.5 mm ; 3.27 carats
Axinite is typically considered a collector's stone, and is rarely found in gems this size. This is a pretty honey-brown color gem face up, but shows a lilac hue when viewed through from the pavillion. The stone has a "Pear" cut. Axinite rarely forms in crystals that are gemmy or thick enough for faceting. It is indeed a very rare gem considering that rough is extremely difficult to find not to mention that this area of Pakistan which produced this material is producing very little of this material. To find an Axinite gem over 1 carat is very impressive, let alone over 3 carats! It is difficult to find this material in clean stones, so inclusions are accepted by most collectors and dealers. This stone is has slight inclusions, but the distinct trichroism is easily seen when the stone is rotated in different directions. Axinite is actually hard enough that it can be worn in jewelry, though it is a bit brittle. A great rare gem for any collector.
RLKG10-161 - Axinite - $ 50 Bourg d'Oisans, France thumbnail, 4.9 mm ; 0.41 carats
Axinite is not often found in clean enough or thick enough crystals to cut fine gems, but when they are cut, they are some of the most beautiful rare stones on the market. These stones are trichroic usually showing distinct purple one direction and a brownish-orange color in another direction. This Round cut stone is a lovely, well cut, nearly eye clean stone from this tremendously historic and well known locality. This locality was the first major locality in the world for Axinite, and produced some of finest, gem quality crystals ever found in the world. Axinite gems are usually heavily included, so when you get a stone like this one, it's a real treat. A nice little rare gem from the type locality for the species.
T06-103 - Tinzenite with Quartz - $ 100 Molinello Mine, Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy miniature, 3.8 x 2 x 1.3 cm
An elongated plate loaded with tinzenite and quartz, very bright and sparkly!
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