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These pages will consist of many of our best specimens, condensed from both new stock and from elsewhere on the site. Every piece here is something that I believe is truly special beyond its mere price-point, and of a higher "significance" than most similar specimens in the same price and size range. By this, I mean that I am trying to fill these pages with pieces that stand out, even amongst a crowd of comparable (and necessarily expensive) fine mineral specimens; and yet remain a relative value for the money. This makes them a better investment for your collection, if you choose to look at your collection in such terms. As a guarantee of my faith in the contextual accuracy of my descriptions, every single specimen in The Vault is one that I would take back at FULL sale value (at a minimum) in trade for other specimens, should the owner change the focus of their collection down the road. I do this because I believe the baseline value of such special and hard-to-obtain pieces can only go up in time.
AGAU-23 - Gold - $ 22500 Talbot, near Bendigo, Victoria, Australia small cabinet, 5.9 x 3.9 x 2.0 cm ex. Matthew Webb
This piece is a rare crystallized gold from the old Victorian goldfields. It shows a large, robust, 3-dimensional crystal atop a nugget base. Such pieces are rarely found, and always went for a premium even before the spike in gold prices simply based upon weight. This specimen stands out from a crowd of pancake-like and rolled nuggets from the region and really presents dramatically when stood up on a custom base. Crystals of this size are rare for gold of ANY locality, but all the more scarce here where so much of the gold was eroded and stream-worn before settling into this deposit tens of millions of years ago. It is, overall, a very unique specimen from the Victoria goldfields, and from the noted collection of Matthew Webb of Melbourne. 200 grams
J12-496 - Tourmaline on Quartz with Cleavelandite - $ 75000 Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil large cabinet, 25.3 x 20.3 x 8.5 cm
This mine produced largely during a short run in the early 2000s, some of the best large tourmaline specimens we have seen in recent years. A spectacular large, upright, gem tourmaline crystal is the highlight of this piece. It is carefully centered on a well-trimmed shard of crystallized quartz, from which it shoots up dramatically. Small , sparkly, sugar-white crystals of cleavelandite are in association, for accents. As with all such pieces from this mine, or similarly gracile tourmalines from any locale, there are a few repairs. In context, however, the repairs are both minimal and acceptable given the size of the piece. The large central crystal is nearly 10 inches tall, and just glows a vivid evergreen hue, when backlit. Even minimal backlighting is enough to bring that color out. This particular specimen was a holdback, long kept in the personal collection of two mine partners until sold to me, and not put out for sale at the time in which they were mined. It is, overall, a dramatic and imposing specimen. Joe Budd photos.
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
DEN11-393 - Carrollite in Calcite - $ 32500 Kamoya South Mine, Kambove, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo small cabinet, 6.0 x 5.5 x 5.0 cm ex. Dr. Edward David
We have all seen a lot of carrollites from the glory hole finds of around 2000-2002, and a few trickling out later. However, this piece for me has ALWAYS been one of my very favorites, since the day I first bought it from the Gobin brothers in Tucson before the show opened, in 2001. I sold it immediately to Ed David, in whose collection it remained until recently. There were larger crystals (then, not available now still). There were more exposed crystals. But there were VERY few crystals of such mesmerizing surface detail, and of this sharp octohedral habit, even amongst the whole breadth of the find. Of those few, this was the best in the size range available at the time and it remains one I always compare other examples of the species to. It is decidedly unusual, as most people consider a more complex crystal to be the sterotypic habit. Yet it is this unusual simplicity of the overall form, combined with subtle complexity on the faces and bevelled edges, that makes this unique and special even amongst the relatively few larger crystals. Moreover, very few specimens, probably only a few dozen in all, had this level of quality and were perched without repair in accenting calcite matrix. So, overall, I feel that this is one of those specimens that has the qualities of superb examples of its species; but enough individuality to also stand on its own merits as something so far off the normal spectrum as to be in its own category for desirability. I have hoarded it away since I bought the Ed David collection in 2006, and this is its first time presented for sale. Joe Budd photos
TUC115-321 - Tanzanite - $ 60000 Merelani Mines, Arusha, Tanzania small cabinet, 8.8 x 2.9 x 2.0 cm
A stunning, unusually elongated and vertical tanzanite crystal showing vivid gemminess , especially when stood up showing the purple side forward. For whatever reasons, I cannot explain, nearly all tanzanite crystals present at their best with the blue face forward, and the purple axis turned 90 degrees from display. It is just the way of things. But this piece really shows both the best drama and the best gemminess, with the purple facing the viewer. The blue color is equally intense, though, and no slouch on its own. When a light is shined up along the c-axis, bottom to top, the piece glows with a brilliant red-magenta color that is indicative of its natural coloration without treatment (treatment for the gem trade disrupts the third, red color from showing). What is amazing is that, despite the height, the light really transmits through nicely along the long c-axis and makes the whole piece glow, instead of just the tip. The crystal is pristine and complete all around, although it has a "slip contact" where one surface is rough in a few places, only on the very right hand edge, due to contact where it grew against another crystal. The piece is obviously very 3-dimensional as you can see, and reminds me of Transco tower in Houston. So overall this is a stunningly intense, deep blue crystal that is natural and unheated. The piece shows vivid blue, red, and purple colors along its three axes. At just over 100 grams mass, there is a sizeable amount of high-grade cutting rough here, where you could go right up the gemmy core of the piece and cut intense purple-oriented stones including two of substantial size. As I say elsewhere here, I am a big believer in hoarding fine tanzanites, as the source just cannot last forever, and worldwide demand for the gemstone drives the miners to cut good crystals for the easy and quick monetary yield, as opposed to save them. This particular crystal was found in the early 2000s and has been in a private collection since that time. Comes with a custom lucite base for display. Joe Budd photos
TUC115-309 - Tanzanite - $ 36000 Merelani Mines, Arusha, Tanzania miniature, 5.5 x 3.3 x 1.9 cm
A stunningly intense, deep blue crystal that is natural and unheated. The piece shows vivid blue, red, and purple colors along its three axes. The blue is particularly intense, especially when you consider how GEMMY the top is ; and how usually those two features do not go hand in hand. A fancy termination and top-percentile glassy lustre together, make this a superb large miniature. The crystal is 66 grams and contains a large amount of cutting rough in gem-clean regions. Although there are a few narrow veils in the gem portions, the piece still would cut three decent sized stones and some smaller stones, all of AAA unheated color. Thus, at the source even, we had to pay a price for this crystal based on its facet value. It was estimated that the cutting value of this crystal is nearly the specimen value being asked, making it a relative bargain as far as these go, based on this intrinsic value. I am a big believer in hoarding fine tanzanites, as the source just cannot last forever, and worldwide demand for the gemstone drives the miners to cut good crystals for the easy and quick monetary yield, as opposed to save them. This particular crystal was found in April of 2011, and came in a small pocket that yielded a number of pieces with this fancy, unusually complex termination which I find highly desirable. Comes with a custom lucite base for display. Joe Budd photos
HO-3625 - Spodumene var. Kunzite - $ 27500 Nuristan, Laghman Province, Afghanistan large cabinet, 33.5 x 4.0 x 1.5 cm ex. Herb Obodda
Kunzite from Nuristan region is now fairly common on the market, but one still can seek out individual pieces which excel above the crowd. This exceptionally sharp, elongated, totally gem crystal masses 500 grams; and for its unique aesthetics was one of the few large gem crystals kept by Herb Obodda in his collection (which we recently acquired), over decades of travel to this region. Some people love matrix kunzites, some prefer these gem floaters (complete and formed all the way around). Although there are certainly bigger kunzite floaters, I have seen few this size with such elegance. The crystal has only two minor spots of damage on an edge, and a small contact with a bit of attached matrix in the middle - otherwise pristine. It is well-terminated and has a pleasing pink color.. Joe Budd photos
TUC115-301 - Tourmaline - $ 18000 Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, San Diego Co., California, USA cabinet, 15 x 3.2 x 2.6 cm
Himalaya tourmalines are known for being broken in situ, and repaired. It just goes with the territory , as the pegmatite was severely disrupted and shocked over the tens of millions of years since it formed. There are few large tourmalines from this mine and district which do not contain repairs. However, this is one of the best we have seen, as it has intense red-pink color and beautiful tapering form, with both terminations. Also, the particular style of the larger tourmalines tends to show zoning, usually with a pale green or pale pink zone mixed in. This crystal is a solid, saturated color throughout. The photos are taken under sun balanced halogens and are accurate in my cases lit by halogen, but the color shifts a little darker in some lighting; and a little paler in color in flourescent lighting.. This crystal is imposing for the size, but the solidity of color is equally important and again, uncommon in crystals over 3 inches (and this is nearly 6 inches). The Piece is doubly terminated and looks good from either end - it also stands on its own , on the flat termination. Minor purple lepidolite is in association. The piece is in remarkably good condition, with the main crystal not even having a single nick or ding upon it. The small sidecar crystal at the base is missing its tip, as the only damage to note here (and that could be an in situ thing anyhow). A custom base is included to show it standing up, with the smaller pointed termination facing down, if desired - it does look good either way! From a prominent California collection, recently deacquisitioned. According to the mine owner, Bill Larson, this would have been mined by him in the later 1980s, circa 1985-1989. He also said that this would be worth $25,000 if he had it.Joe Budd photos
TUC115-315 - Morganite with Tourmaline - P.O.R. Pederneira claim, Sao Jose da Safira, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil cabinet, 13.8 x 8.0 x 11.7 cm
A unique piece, which has not been seen on the market since the early 2000s, has now resurfaced. Among the few collectors and dealers familiar with the great stash of Pederneira Mine specimens which came up to the New York area when the specimens were mainly flowing out through Daniel Trinchillo and his partner (Marcus Budil) , this has always been a talked-about piece. It was a unique piece mined around 2001, and such a combination was never seen again despite 8 more years of intense mining. The piece was nicknamed "Sword in the Stone" and kept in the collection of the mine partners for several years, until sold in a pinch to pay for further mining efforts, around 2003. I lost track of it and then saw it again, in 2010, in a collection overseas. The piece is just mesmerizing in person. It has a shocking color contrast, and both crystals are gemmy and lustrous. Although irregular around the base of the morganite, it is contacted and not damaged or "hacked off." It is, surprisingly, not repaired and not damaged. I am really honored to be able to bring this to market again as its a piece that has long stuck in my mind as something just so unique and pretty, I always wanted to own it. Soon after I got it back, the specimen was featured in the Pederneira Mine case at the 2010 Munich Show exhibit , "Brazilian Dreams." Comes with custom lucite base.Joe Budd photos
TUC115-294 - Azurite and Malachite - P.O.R. Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Cananea, Sonora, Mexico cabinet, 11.7 x 7 x 6 cm
Milpillas , to me, is the wonder-locality of the first part of this century. It is now producing, briefly, azurite of such a quality as to rival and surpass Tsumeb. Nothing like these has been seen in decades, and even then, Milpillas has a style and intense blue color in its large crystals that makes it stand out. With the mine scheduled to burn through the oxide zone in which these occur within the next year, I also believe that a great Milpillas azurite is a good investment now. The world just doesn't make azurites like this, often, from anywhere. This bonanza will not last...cannot, according to the geology there. And so, I have hoarded a few great specimens while waiting to see how the mine winds down. This piece , with its gently curving crystals to 4 inches, has among the largest fine crystals found to date (to my knowledge, and I have followed the finds carefully). It probably came out about 2 years ago. The contrast with the malachite underneath adds color to the bottom horizon. The crystals are not quite, but nearly pristine. They are dramatic, and the piece can be seen from meters away. Moreover, it looks good either horizontally or vertically.. Joe Budd photos
TUC115-187 - Tanzanite - $ 42500 Block D, Merelani Mines, Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Tanzania small cabinet, 5.3 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm
This crystal came out in January of 2011, from a new deep level of the mine that features crystals of absolutely incredible lustre combined with one of the most intense natural blue colors you will ever see in a tanzanite. Tanzanite in natural unheated form should be trichroic, blue and purple on the a and b axes, and showing red to violet color when looked at with light along the long, or c-axis. Often, natural tanzanite shows more intense purple color saturation than blue (rotated 90 degrees around the crystal, when you look at the crystal while it is backlit). Here, the color saturation on the blue is "through the roof." The overall appearance of the crystal is that it has the top color of a heat-treated gemstone of tanzanite, and yet it is not treated for enhancement. The red, third, color is strong even just in room light, let alone when lit from underneath in the dark. As well, the brilliant surface luster is top percentile, like wet glass. Sometimes you get great lustrous crystals that are "sleepy" inside; but this piece has a premium and sparkling internal brilliance to its gemmy interior, much of which is totally transparent. At 69 grams, this is a sizeable crystal for the quality, and it just barely is too big to be a competition miniature size. The gem rough value alone of this important crystal is substantial, though it is worth more as a specimen. Nevertheless, the reason such crystals cost what they cost is that dealers must buy them in Tanzania at an equal or premium price to the miner's or owner's rather "optimized ideal wish" for yield in cutting value ...or they do get cut. And quickly, too! For its size, this piece represents a superb example at a reasonable price, in my opinion. I would be hard pressed to replace it today with a comparable specimen, in other words. As this is just one deposit, they cannot possibly last forever. Joe Budd photos
TUC115-180 - Tourmaline on Albite with Quartz - P.O.R. Paprok Mine, Kamdesh District, Nuristan, Afghanistan large cabinet, 21 x 16.5 x 15 cm
Every now and then, you see a large matrix piece which just screams "fake" at you. It just seems too contrived to be real. That is what I thought of this specimen, when I first saw it in a dealer advertisement over 5 years ago. When I saw it in person though, I immediately realized that it actually is the real thing, with three isolated and pristine tourmaline crystals shooting out in 3 different directions. Remarkably, there are no repairs! The piece has been through my preferred preparation lab to confirm that fact. The fact that a single matrix piece can have two totally different habits of tourmaline has always impressed me about how these things form. It is rare, but it happens. Still, usually that exceptional case refers to two tourmalines of the same color, but perhaps different terminations on the same matrix. Here, we have both of the really stereotypical habits of a Paprok tourmaline, totally different in color and symmetries, perched on the same piece. The classic multicolored red-green crystal is 5 inches tall. Again, it is NOT repaired, despite its perch and freestanding nature. The hot pink crystal to the left is fully 2 inches long, and shows a totally different termination. We call this style the "bubblegum pinks" and it is also classic for the locality. I simply am NOT aware of another specimen which combines both of these particular styles of tourmaline, let alone with such pizzazz. This is a major matrix tourmaline, by any standard. Joe Budd photos
J11-80 - Aquamarine with Muscovite - P.O.R. Nagar, Hunza Valley, Gilgit District, Northern Areas, Pakistan large cabinet, 17.5 x 14.5 x 14 cm ex. Marc Weill
At 10.5 pounds, this is a rather hefty single aquamarine crystal, of some stature. It has absolutely NO DAMAGE and is complete all around! To imagine such a heavy , big piece coming to market from this region without being damaged is difficult today. The piece has a glassy lustre and an intense color that is atypically nice for the locality. Although larger crystals are known, I have not seen another this size, showing such geometric perfection and quality in both color and lustre. The aquamarines from this locality are simply not often very gemmy , compared to aqua from Shigar Valley. That being said, and taking the size into account, this piece is more translucent than most large Nagar aquamarines, and of course has a deeper intense blue color than most Shigar aquas. It came out in the late 90s and was sold into the collection of Marc Weill. It is illustrated in the Mineralogical Record book on his collection (Jan-Feb 2008). Joe Budd photos
J11-69 - Topaz on Quartz with Muscovite - P.O.R. Dassu, Haramosh Mts., Gilgit District, Northern Areas, Pakistan large cabinet, 21 x 14.5 x 14 cm
This superb large museum sized specimen showcases a gemmy, champagne-colored topaz crystal measuring 5.8 x 4.6 x 4 cm, dramatically shooting off of a matrix of associated white cleavelandite (in nice ballshaped aggregates), sharp golden muscovite, and lustrous clear quartzes. The combination of other species around the topaz highlights its color and symmetry nicely. The topaz crystal itself is absolutely unscathed by damage or dings on its edges, though it has a clean (i.e. invisible, but disclosed nonetheless) repair at its base (where the crystal disappears into the rock, it had naturally cracked in situ before it was mined). Aside from some trivial damage to the accenting quartz matrix, the display face is in good shape otherwise and presents as a 3-dimensional slope that lets the topaz rise for maximum height. A second, 4 cm topaz is laying diagonally at the foot of the major crystal. Note also the gemminess and lustre - while clarity and gemminess is common enough on these Pakistani topaz crystals, the shocking lustre here is atypical. It is top percentile, glassy and bright. Relatively fewer large topaz specimens seem to come out of the same pegmatites that produce beryls on end. And of the ones that do, fine matrix pieces are harder to get than for beryls or tourmalines, as well. Overall, this is about the size of a volleyball and it carries a LOT of impact. I have seen very few Pakistani topazes that enamored me so much as this one (in this size!). Mined in 2008. Joe Budd photos
J11-46 - Tourmaline (no repairs!) - $ 35000 Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California, USA cabinet, 17.2 x 3.5 x 3.2 cm ex. William Larson
Bill Larson mined the Himalaya Mine in its modern era of production, from the late 1970s until early 2000s when he closed it (it remains open under new owners, but the days of heavy drifting and exploration are done). The deposits here were subject to enormous shearing and breaking forces after emplacement, and the pegmatites show this clearly. To mine them, is more difficult than at some other pegmatite localities, as a result. Most larger pieces are also, therefore, found broken in situ. And it follows that most larger specimens from the Himalaya, and from other San Diego mines, are repaired. In all that time, Larson says he can count on two hands the number of large crystals of this size that were found in pristine condition, and on one hand those found without repairs. This is one of those very , very rarified large crystals found pristine in the mine, and not broken in situ or in collecting. Every now and then, I have something that Bill Larson wants from me, and the only solution is an exchange for a stashed piece from his private collection. This giant is 326 grams, and near the top in size for a single crystal from the mine. It is pristine all around and stands beautifully on our custom lucite base. The color is a pure, classic "Himalaya Pink" hue with a slight green zone near the lower termination. The lower termination extends out into multiply formed small points, and the top termination is classic , lustrous, bright and flat as is normal for the mine. Joe Budd photos
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