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03edd37a - Franklinite in Willemite, Zincite, and Calcite - $ 5000 SOLD Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, New Jersey, USA cabinet, 9 x 9 x 8 cm ex. Dr. Edward David
An exceptionally dramatic piece with a stark 4 cm franklinite just sitting nicely in matrix of zincite, willemite, and calcite. The crystal is remarkably free of cracking, which happens often in larger crystals; and also free of shoe polish and glue fill in said cracks - a more frequent occurence than we specimen collectors like to admit. But, in the old days, it was almost a tradition to fake and build up broken franklinite crystals in matrix! Luckily, this one survived and was never played with. It probably dates to older workings in the late 1800s to early 1900s, and is not recently found.
4JG9 - Willemite - $ 195 SOLD Tsumeb, Namibia miniature, 4.2 x 2.5 x 2.2 cm
These crystals are superb, especially in light of the fact that you often see Willemite in a number of different habits, with equally varying quality. The color, luster, and form of these crystals is excellent. Even in subdued light, the quality and luster is such that the specimen absolutely sparkles. This is a terrific Willemite.
CKTSU-23 - Smithsonite on Willemite - $ 750 Berg Aukas, Grootfontein, Namibia miniature, 4.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 cm ex. Charlie Key
Well formed rhombs of lustrous and translucent, ivory colored, smithsonite, to a relatively large 1.75 cm across, are perched on a matrix of willemite, in tan, drusy spheres. A lovely and aesthetic specimen of smithsonite. This is a superb display miniature specimen of exquisite balance. (NOT TSUMEB but included here because Charlie kept it anyhow for comparison and to complement his Tsumeb pieces )
CKTSU-25 - Smithsonite on Willemite - $ 950 Berg Aukas, Grootfontein, Namibia miniature, 3.9 x 2.3 x 2.1 cm ex. Charlie Key
On a sliver of matrix sits a superb miniature featuring translucent, frosted, light yellow, smithsonite, with a large and translucent 3.5 cm crystal crossed by a smaller one . Easily a competition quality miniature! (NOT TSUMEB but included here because Charlie kept it anyhow for comparison and to complement his Tsumeb pieces )
CKTSU-29 - Willemite - $ 175 Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia miniature, 3.2 x 2.3 x 1.3 cm ex. Charlie Key
This is a near-floater of willemite with several layers of contrasting colored spheres. The top level has sparkling, lustrous and translucent, white spheres of willemite, to 5mm across. A little beauty!
CKTSU-44 - Willemite - $ 750 SOLD Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia small cabinet, 6.5 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm ex. Charlie Key
This matrix specimen features olive green spheres, to 1 cm across, composed of little spiky crystals of sparkling willemite. What is unusual about the willemite is the color, presumably due to copper enrichment. Under magnification, each sphere looks like a pincushion of needles of willemite - and thus the superficial similarity to smithsonite is refuted. Bizarre Tsumeb specimen!
D05-143 - Willemite - $ 250 SOLD Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico small cabinet, 7.6 x 6.5 x 4.6 cm
A very rare example of WILLEMITE from the upper zones of this mine, which has been active for at least 40 years in specimen production. These came out early on, and I see them only come out of old collections, 30-40 years or so old. This is an attractive pocket, with great sparkly lustre to it!
GEMS-059 - Willemite - $ 2750 SOLD Tsumeb, Namibia thumbnail, 11.07 x 8.65 mm ; 4.89 carats
Willemite is not often seen in facetted gems, and stones of this size are rare for sure. There are only a handful of localities in the world where facet grade Willemite occurs, and the majority of this material is from Franklin, New Jersey. Tsumeb is known for gem quality Willemites, but crystals (or crystal aggregates) are not often large enough to cut stones over 1-2 carats. This particular gem is a superb Willemite for Tsumeb. It has a beautiful golden-peach color which is not often seen from Tsumeb. The stone is very well cut as Willemite is difficult to polish. It is slightly included, and most gems this size are rarely eye clean. I have seen plenty of blue and green Willemite from Tsumeb, but it would be a real treat to find a specimen to match the color of this stone and create an epic "rough and cut" set. As far as rarity is concerned, this stone is up there for sure, and the rough from Tsumeb is nearly impossible to obtain these days.
J12-475 - Willemite - SOLD Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia cabinet, 10.5 x 6.3 x 6.1 cm
A gemmy, sparkling, bubbly blue willemite of a quality that I simply never thought to exist, from the remarkable small find of the late 1970s that is regarded by most Tsumeb afficionados as having produced the finest willemite in the world. This piece is 3-dimensional, has great horizons, and is complete all around! It is blue on the front, and red (also willemite) on the backside. Most people whom i showed this to, thought it was a translucent smithsonite. Joe Budd photos.
J12-510 - Willemite - $ 1800 Potosi Mine, West Camp, Santa Eulalia District, Chihuahua, Mexico small cabinet, 9.0 x 8.4 x 5.0 cm ex. Dr. Gary Hansen
An old classic, seldom seen today! The stalactites and tentacles of this piece give it real dimensionality and character. It is sparkling and somehow "colorful" despite its gray-brown hue. The size is good, to fit in with other significant Mexican specimens in most collections. These willemites were found in the 1950s and 1960s, I am told (but unsure of more detail). I had seen only a handful before, until the Prince collection came to light and we found her stash of dozens of these specimens. However, this was an older piece I obtained in purchasing the old Gary Hansen collection, and it has more 3-dimensionality and lustre than most such that i have seen either in old collections or in some of the newly resurfaced material from the Prince collection (which I also bought and have been selling in the auction site). Joe Budd photos.
JWHITE-80 - Willemite on Wulfenite - $ 100 SOLD Mammoth Mine, Tiger, Arizona, USA miniature, 4.3 x 2.9 x 2.0 cm ex. John White
A very rich specimen of beautiful, micro-crystals of bubbly, translucent blue willemite, rare from this locality! They are situated like drops on a carpet of orange wulfenite. Old classic association, rarely seen today.
MD-103826 - Franklinite, Willemite, Zincite, Calcite - - Archived Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA small cabinet, 9 x 9 x 8 cm
An exceptionally dramatic piece with a stark 4 cm franklinite just sitting nicely in matrix of zincite, willemite, and calcite. The crystal is remarkably free of cracking, which happens often in larger crystals; and also free of shoe polish and glue fill in said cracks - a more frequent occurence than we specimen collectors like to admit. But, in the old days, it was almost a tradition to fake and build up broken franklinite crystals in matrix! Luckily, this one survived and was never played with. It probably dates to older workings in the late 1800s to early 1900s, and is not recently found. 9 x 9 x 8 cm
MD-119983 - Rhodonite, Willemite, Calcite - - Archived Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA miniature, 4.8 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm.
4.8 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm. A classic, sharp, lustrous, tabular, rose-red rhodonite crystal aesthetically and vertically set in calcite matrix with attendant, tan willemite crystals. A very showy combination piece from the classic locality of Sterling Hill. Outstanding fluorescence with the calcite and willemite! Ex. George Elling Collection.
MD-120393 - Smithsonite, Willemite, Cerussite - - Archived Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia cabinet, 12.0 x 8.3 x 5.0 cm.
12.0 x 8.3 x 5.0 cm. A richly covered and showy Tsumeb CABINET combination specimen. The 1.2 cm, upright, gemmy, smoky cerussite set in the lower vug really makes this piece. The vugs are lined with lustrous, pearlescent, off-white smithsonite rhombs to 1.2 and light sea-green, botryoidal willemite. Ex. George Elling Collection.
MD-121388 - Willemite, Plancheite - - Archived Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia small cabinet, 5.9 x 3.3 x 3.2 cm.
5.9 x 3.3 x 3.2 cm. Willemite is a rare mineral in finely crystallized specimens and there are only a few localities in the world that produce great display specimens. I think the two top localities for Willemite in the world are Franklin, New Jersey and of course, Tsumeb. The Willemite specimens from Tsumeb are highly prized for their wide range of colors and amazing beauty. This specimen features excellent, rare, sharp, lustrous, somewhat spherical, green-blue color, crystal aggregates of Willemite associated with minor Plancheite on matrix. It has beautiful luster and these specimens are among some of the most classic of species from Tsumeb. Ex. Richard Kosnar Collection.
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