US$    € EURO    ¥ YEN    £ POUND    CAN$    AUS$    (click on a page number to go to that page:) 1 2 3 4 5 6  page 1 / 6  -  90 specimens selected  -  next  -  bottom  -  back to the Galleries  USA-01 - Brucite - $ 900 Woods Chrome Mine, Texas, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania cabinet, 14.5 x 11.4 x 3.0 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Very sharp, typically bladed and disclike crystals of this rarely crystallized species, from THE classic locality in the US. This was not the first locality , but it has remained the best in the USA for sharp crystals and they are quite different in habit from the fine brucite found at a very few other lcoales (Kazakhstan, and South Africa) today. This piece has large, translucent crystals to 2 cm across, and combined with the overall size of the specimen is thus fairly significant. ex. George Loud collection and University of Chicago Museum collection USA-02 - Magnetite - $ 1800 ZCA Mine No. 4, Balmat, St Lawrence Co., New York cabinet, 11.9 x 11.0 x 9.5 cm ex.  Ken Hollman CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This is a MAJOR , and unusually large, example from this hard-to-get locality. These magnetites to me are best of species - I know some will disagree, choosing instead the sharp Swiss octohedra. But, for me, i like the metallic, jet black, complex cubes of the NY Magnetites better - and the specimens are larger and more pretty, overall, too. This is a major classic but more than that something really different for a common species normally relegated to the drawers and not to display in a showcase. This large piece was formerly in the State Museum of NY, having purchased the NY suite out of the Ken Hollman estate. When I later got it via another collector, it had not been prepped yet to remove the calcite and expose all the crystals. This calcite coating did protect many crystals in th core, so the major ones are indeed nearly all pristine though there is damage to smaller crystals and on the periphery. Nevertheless, an impressive specimen. ex. Ken Hollman Collection USA-04 - Ilmenite - $ 900 Washington, Litchfield Co., Connecticut cabinet, 12.5 x 8.2 x 7.1 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A very sharp, large, and important specimen of ilmenite for this classic old locality. The large crystal is nearly 5 cm across, and frozen in matrix but displayed head-on and attractively. It is a very fine crystal for the species anyhow, but for CT all the more important. USA-05 - Cordierite - $ 2000 Richmond, New Hampshire cabinet, 12.1 x 8.2 x 4.6 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A major, huge cordierite crystal cluster from this classic old locality. More importantly, its actually fairly attractive, so far as they go! Ex Warren Johansson collection, with a label dated 1943. Although not the most favorite mineral of most folks, I do think this is one of the better specimens in the update. USA-07 - Chalcocite - $ 4500 Bristol Copper Mine, Bristol, Hartford Co., Connecticut small cabinet, 5.8 x 4.3 x 3.2 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This is a major chalcocite, with robust, fat, impressive crystals that look for all the world like blacker hematite than chalcocite from Bristol, because they are so thick and large. This specimen has solid rock matrix, as the host for twinned clusters to 2.5 cm. From the noted rarities and classics collection of Thomas E. Egleston (1832-1900) Professor of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Columbia University, New York (and retains his old label). This specimen is one of the prettier Bristol chalcocites in this size range I have seen, for the sharp aesthetics of distinctly twinned, upright crystals perched on such contrasting matrix. Commercial mining began in 1837 and carried on until 1953 (according to MINDAT) - this mine was a hugely important US resource through the Civil War years and beyond, and collectors lament its closing. Most regard the chalcocite from this mine as being the best on the planet, though English ones are pretty good too, I will say. Certainly, this is the most famous old locale in the US for the species and you can see why from an exemplary piece such as this. USA-08 - Antimony nugget - $ 1000 Antimony Peak, Kern County, California small cabinet, 9 x 7 x 5 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A REALLY HEFTY nugget of solid, pure antimony from a classic old US locale. These turn up in museum collections, this one in fact being an exchange out of a major old collection assembled in the late 1800s and early 1900s (T.H. Cole). It is REALLY hefty - shockingly so, in your hand, at 869 grams. Although not for everybody's display collection, this is definitely something unusual, and interesting. USA-09 - Vivianite - $ 2000 Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho miniature, 5.0 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: An old US classic now, these were found in the 1960s and remain the finest vivianites ever from the USA. They have a unique purple color - I have no idea what causes it, but NO other vivianites from any other locale seem to have it, so these are unmistakeable when they do turn up. This specimen has a particularly well-formed, robust crystal that is much thicker at 5-6mm than most such specimens (they tend to be 2-3mm). The dominant crystal displays dramatically, and as youc an see backlights pretty impressively too, to show off that novel color. Fine old pieces like this, particuarly as superb miniatures, are NOT easily obtained and are only available as the major old collections are recycled. ex. Jaime Bird Collection. USA-10 - Talc - $ 500 SOLD Verde Antique Quarry, Rochester, Windsor Co., Vermont small cabinet, 9.3 x 6.9 x 3.6 cm ex.  Ken Hollman CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: The Vermont talc specimens are generally considered the prettiest crystallized talcs. First off, it is green - and most talc is just plain old white. Secondly, it is from a classic, defunct, and important US locality. And lastly, it is aesthetic, with freestanding crystals all over the place, instead of tightly compacted masses as you usuaully see from here and from other locales where talc occurs purely. The classic Italian examples are as fine in crystalography, but i have not seen a big and green one. A beautiful, interesting piece - and yes, it DOES feel like talc, when you touch it. ex. Ken Hollman Collection USA-13 - Talc - $ 950 Verde Antique Quarry, Rochester, Windsor Co., Vermont cabinet, 12.7 x 7.1 x 3.7 cm ex.  Ken Hollman CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: The Vermont talc specimens are generally considered the prettiest crystallized talcs. First off, it is green - and most talc is just plain old white. Secondly, it is from a classic, defunct, and important US locality. And lastly, it is aesthetic, with freestanding crystals all over the place, instead of tightly compacted masses as you usuaully see from here and from other locales where talc occurs purely. The classic Italian examples are as fine in crystalography, but i have not seen a big and green one. A beautiful, interesting piece - and yes, it DOES feel like talc, when you touch it. ex. Ken Hollman Collection USA-11 - Vivianite - $ 300 SOLD Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey small cabinet, 7.4 x 6.1 x 3.8 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: I had never seen vivianite from New Jersey myself, and was surprised to see this piece (with an accompanying old Italian label) on a table at Munich where an old colelction of US and Mexico locality pieces was being broken up. The specimen has dark green blades in a protected pocket of hard sandstone. Thanks to Jim Chenard for more comments: This location is old, and part may still be accessible, if they have not developed the whole area.The crystals are on the larger side from there, and it is most likely an older piece. See article: Mullica Hill, New Jersey in Min. Rec. 9-10/1980. USA-12 - Clinochlore - $ 1500 Tilly Foster Mine, Brewster, New York small cabinet, 8.4 x 7.9 x 3.5 cm ex.  Dennis Mullane CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This is a significant, and surprisingly attractive, specimen of clinochlore from the old Tilly Foster Mine. According to MINDAT: Large iron ore (magnetite) deposit discovered in 1810. The mine was 600 feet deep in 1879. Mining ceased in 1897, after 13 miners were killed in a rockslide. Specimens today are obviously hard to come by, and I know people who are dedicated to collecting Tilly material. Usually, you get chondrodite, and a few other species like clinochlore as mere associations. However, here it is definitely the dominant species, in a really nice, 3.2 x 2.5 x 0.6 cm, freestanding, crystal. It is easy to see the metallic green color. In fact, I cannot recall a clinochlore of this size, as showy, from any other locale? VERY OLD classic, ex. Dennis Mullane Collection USA-03 - Natrolite - $ 800 Bound Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey small cabinet, 7.4 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A stunning, unusually gemmy and fine crystal of natrolite from this classic old quarry. Ex James Zigras collection (and he specializes in NJ). Most people consider these rare crystals, when this gemmy and sharp, to be the finest of their species. USA-14 - Natrolite - $ 950 Bound Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey small cabinet, 7.6 x 1.2 x 1.0 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A stunning, unusually gemmy and fine crystal of natrolite from this classic old quarry. Ex James Zigras collection (and he specializes in NJ). Most people consider these rare crystals, when this gemmy and sharp, to be the finest of their species. USA-15 - Rhodonite - $ 900 Franklin Mine, Sussex County, New Jersey small cabinet, 7.9 x 5.0 x 3.9 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A large, rich specimen of solid rhodonite crystals, from an old collection in Italy: The large rhodonite in the top apex is 3 cm , doubly terminated, tip to tip. All the major crystals are well terminated, though the peripheral crystals show some contact or damage. The piece looks good horizontal or vertical. This is an old specimen! USA-16 - Weloganite and Quartz - $ 1500 Francon Quarry, St. Michel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada miniature, 5.2 x 5.1 x 2.8 cm ex.  George Elling CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: These remarkable weloganites are best of species, and all came from a few small pockets at this quarry. I think most were collected in the 1970s by Don Doell and friends, of this style. This particular specimen is a choice miniature with a 1.4 cm crystal perched smack dab in the center. These pseudohexagonal crystals have unique form, and look more like a biological growth of coral, than a crystal per se. Still on the specimen is much of the original pocket coating, which is comprised of several other rare species (primarily dresserite), on calcite and small quartz crystals. The little black microcrystals atop may be donnayite but I am not sure. Specimens, particularly with good yellow color, are uncommon and always were...and always will be. According to MINDAT: The quarry has been inactive since 1981 and will never be active again. It is in the central part of the city of Montréal (pop. over 2.5 million), in a residential area, and owned by the City. It is used for snow dumping in winter. Actually, the quarry could be listed by its city address: 3701 rue Jarry Est, Montreal. ( Although not a US classic, it just fit in well with the update and was handy.)