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« Last post by Frank de Wit on April 06, 2020, 11:51:37 AM »
CATALOG 22002 – Volume XLVII, No. 2
ACTINOLITE in TALC- Lake Wenatchee, Chelan Co., Washington
Thick, dark green prismatic crystals of actinolite to several centimeters long nicely scattered in talc matrix, Collected in the 1960s by the late Ted Morley, rather attractive and likely from the Wenatchee Ridge locality. Specimens from 2.5cm to 6cm @ 10.00, 20.00, 35.00 each
BERYL var: EMERALD w/ SCHEELITE- Dayakou Mi, Malipo, Wenshan, Yunnan, PR Ch
Dark green masses and crude crystals of emerald scattered in matrix, typically consisting of feldspar, quartz and/or dark chloritic rock. Interesting for the locality, we have a few samples averaging 4cm across at just 20.00 each, and a couple showing associations of yellow masses of brightly fluorescent (SW blue-white) scheelite that we recently analyzed at just 25.00 each.
BITUMEN in GEODE- nr. Niota, Hancock Co., Illinois
A quartz geode half with the interior richly coated with tiny black petroleum-like balls. "Bitumen" is used here as a generic name for natural hydrocarbon (petroleum) substances that are virtually solid in form, not unlike asphaltum, crude oil or pitch. The geode half has an apparent repair line running through it, overall about 4.5cm across the opened face at 25.00. List alternates!
BORNITE coating PYRITE- 1400' L, Cole Shaft, Bisbee, Arizona
From material described in the February, 2020 Mineral News article, these are small pyritohedrons fully coated by a thin film of greyish, metallic bornite. Extracted from the 1400' level of the Cole shaft in the distant past, well-formed pyrites from the locality are rarely encountered. Single crystals and groups range from 4mm to 7mm across, all are matrix free and very sharp, and we offer a suite of three different for just 10.00 per lot; we'll even include a copy of the article for those of you who are not Mineral News subscribers!
CALCITE (FL & PHOS)- Wenshan, Yunnan, PR China
While there is no lack of Chinese calcite these days, we uncovered a small lot of brilliantly fluorescent (SW and LW, blue-white) calcite specimens that also show good phosphoresence after the UV light source is removed! The crystals are frosty, white rhombs with the crystal edges turned upwards, giving these closely intergrown specimens additional appeal, regardless of the excellent fluorescent response. Only a few on hand, generous sizes about 7cm long, at just 20.00 each.
COLEMANITE- Boraxo Pit, Death Valley, Inyo Co., California
Attractive, short prismatic monoclinic spear-shaped crystals of colemanite full covering matrix, all showing excellent form in radiating and up-standing groups. These are transparent to translucent and have a subtle, pleasing greyish-white huer. Quite exceptional when compared to the more typical blocky white specimens, these are very aesthetic and yet reasonably priced, sizes from about 2.5cm to 10cm across @ 8.00, 15.00, 25.00, 40.00 and 55.00. A few larger available - inquire! One monster @ 750.00
COPPER- nr. Calumet, Houghton Co., Michigan
Crudely crystallized arborescent masses of native copper with little attached matrix, these acquired in Calumet in 1959, well before the great miners’ strike of 1968 that shut down all operations. Examination under the scope occasionally finds minor prehnite, epidote or other unidentified secondary phases tucked among the copper or on its surface. Interesting natural "scuptures", sizes from about 2.5cm to 7cm across @ 15.00, 25.00, 40.00 and 65.00 each. Neat, older specimens!
CUPRONEYITE with COSALITE- Baita (Rezbanya), Nucet, Bihor, Romania
From the type locality for the species, we have a few small (average 4mm) samples of greyish metallic cuproneyite, on matrix, typically with minor intergrown cosalite as well. Type locality material, ex-F. Keutsch (keutschite) Collection, @ just 75.00 each.
CURITE- Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire
A small but rich specimen comprised of bright orange curite masses essentially covering all surfaces of this hot specimen. Old material, of course, and from the type locality for the species. Overall size about 2.8cm across with little apparent associations, one only @ 325.00. Also on hand, a giant, exceptionally hot specimen, about 8x8x7cm with soddyite etc @ 3600.00!
DIAMOND- Bandama River, Hambol Region, Ivory Coast
Long known for diamond production, the ban on rough diamond export from the Ivory Coast was lifted in 2014. We have several good crystals available, most as pale tan, transparent dodecahedrons averaging about 1.14 carats each, matrix free, of course, and quite attractive. Sizes are typically around 6x4mm @ just
145.00 each. Nice!
DRAVITE (Vanadium-rich!)- Merelani, Arusha, Tanzania
From the original find of colorful, bright green (!!) dravite tourmaline in matrix from this prolific locality. Most of the dravites are transparent and in the 5mm to 15mm size range with excellent color, although none are perfect or particularly well-terminated. All are perched in a complex skarn matrix that often shows much variable fluoresence due to phlogopite (yellow FL), diopside (blue-white FL) and included quartz (green FL) in many samples, along with minute pyrite and other phases. Surprisingly, about 20% of the better samples also show massive yellow native sulfur (!!), also relatively new for Tanzania. Specimens are priced based on overall size and quality of the dravite and its associations, not on ovcerall size, ranging from about 2.5cm up to nearly 5cm @ 50.00, 75.00, 100.00 and 125.00 each.
EDGARITE- Mt. Kaskasnyunachorr, Khibiny, Kola Russia
This rare species occurs as minute (1mm) greysih metallic plates sparsely scattered as epitactic overgrowths on pyrrhotite in greyish alkaline hornfels rock matrix. A strange FeNb3S6 mineral from the TYPE LOCALITY, only a few surprisingly large matrix specimens available averaging 2.5cm across @ 95.00 each, or as a mounted 2.5cm probe sample with complete chemical documentation and SEM images @ 185.00 (only one available!).
FLUELLITE- Tom's PO4 Quarry, Kapunda, S.A., Australia
Fairly rich specimens of sharp, rectangular transparent and colorless microcrystals of fluellite are scattered across the limonitic phosphorite matrix. Possible associates include minyulite, aldermanite, 'apatite', etc. Good micro material, in sizes from 3cm to 5cm @ just 20.00, 30.00, 45.00.
GROUTITE- Talcville, St. Lawrence Co., New York
From the famous 2 1/2 Mine, (the second U.S. locality for the species as published by Curt Segeler many years ago) these are excellent acicular, black groutite crystals in vugs with white to colorless calcite matrix. Easily visible but superb micro potential in these carefully mounted MM specimens @ just 20.00 each.
GYPSUM variety SELENITE- White Sands, Otero Co., New Mexico
From the largest deposit of its type in the world, we have a small lot of 5cm tall vials filled with sand from the famous "White Sands" gypsum deposit, comprised of minute rounded grains of selenite resulting from prevaling SW winds that form the White Sands dunes. An interesting oddity at just 5.00 per 5cm vial, ex- H. Rosenbroeck Collection.
HEDENBERGITE- Iona Island, Rockland Co., New York
A large and hefty jumble of sharp, grey to brownish hedenbergite crystals with lengths to 2.6cm and widths up to 1cm on rock matrix. An older locality that produced only a few of these well-crystallized samples during a utility excavations circa 1953. A marvelous large cabinet specimen for the mineral and locality, stands upright, overall size about 20x14cm @ 275.00.
HEMATITE- Rio Marina, Isle de Elba, Italy
Brilliant steely-black plates and well formed crystals of hematite richly scattered on and comprising matrix. An old classic locality made famous by Napolean's exile, we have a modest sized lot of good quality specimens, sizes from about 2.5cm to 5cm @ 8.50, 15.00 and 25.00 each, priced according to quality.
ILMENITE- Colville Indian Reservation, Washington Large tabular aggregates of brownish black ilmenite to several centimeters perched in a quartz/feldspar matrix, first noted in 1918 by J.T. Pardee in USGS Bulletin 677 describing the Geology and Mineral Deposits of this reservation that spread across the counties of Okanogan and Ferry. The precise locality was attibuted to the headwaters of Wilmont Creek which is in Ferry County. Interesting for this obscure locality, specimens from about 4cm to 7cm, priced according to quality, not overall size @ 20.00, 30.00 and 45.00 each.
LINZHIITE with NAQUITE- Zachatievskaya Station, Donetsk, Ukraine
A pair of rare minerals, both occurring in greyish to tin white micro metallic grains, here embedded in a 2.5cm probe mount. The minerals were approved in 2010 after being named ferdisilicite and fersilite in 1969 without IMA approval. Subsequently restudied and renamed, we have only one probe mount on hand, accompanied by an SEM image and X-ray spectra for both species, including the chemical analyses, at 325.00. List alternates!
MALACHITE on TETRAHEDRITE-(Zn)- Sweet Hoem Mine, Park Co., Colorado
An uncommon occurrence and association from this excellent locality, here in older specimens collected by the miners circa 2004 and EDS confirmed. The malachite forms tiny, bright green balls nicely scattered on metallic, arsenian tetrahedrite-(Zn), a newly defined species, some associated with minor bornite, galena and/or quartz crystals. Excellent micro material in these TNs, sizes from 1.3cm to 2.5cm @ 20.00 and 35.00 each. Also on hand: a pair of quartz-rich malachite samples with small rhodochrosite rhombs @ 65.00 each (a very complex association!), and one superb 3cm specimen of malachite over excellent arsenian tetrahedrite-(Zn) crystals collected from a raise in the Tetrahedride Drift @ 85.00.
MORINITE (CUPRIAN)- Silver Coin Mine, Humboldt Co., Nevada
Minute botryoidal blebs of pale blue cuprian morinite richly scattered on matrix, associated with rich perhamite druses, occasionally with fine micro clear fluorwavellite crystals, and often other species. Excellent micro material in these rich TN-sized specimens, ex-M. Jensen Collection and XRD-confirmed by Andy Roberts at the Geological Survey of Canada in 1993. Only a couple on hand, average 2.5cm and the best found @ 175.00 each.
OMARINIITE with PUTZITE- Capillitas, Andalgala, Catamarca, Argentina
Two extremely rare species, here present together in small polished sections from the type locality for both! The omariniite occurs as thin rims around granular putzite grains, best seen under polarized light. We supply each specimen with a pair of color images that identify both species, as well as associated thalcusite! An exceptional offering, the sections average about 4mm to 5mm across and are imbedded in polished leucite blocks that are 1cm to 2cm across. Identified by electron microprobe and/or EDS, with chemistry provided along with the color images (shown on Mindat) at 625.00 each. List alternates, please!
PYRITE- Eagle Mine, Gilman, Eagle Co., Colorado
From a classic Colorado locality, these bright, metallic pyrite specimens were originally purchased in 1949 (!!). The specimens show excellent, intergrown pyrite crystals to 1.2cm fully covering a thin matrix of either massive pyrite or pyrite-invested rock. Excellent for both the locality and species, colorful and bright, sizes from 4cm to 9cm across @ just 10.00, 20.00 and 40.00 each. Nice and old, too!
QUARTZ epimorph with BARITE- Linxiang, Yueyang, Hunan, PR China
An attractive specimen consisting of bright white, drusy quartz crystals that have overgrown a now-disolved tabular mineral that was likely barite plates that reached up to 3cm in size. Adding to its charm, this cabinet specimen shows numerous, small, golden, transparent barite crystals to 3mm randomly scattered about the surface of the platy druses, and there are also a few larger greyish calcites also tucked here and there about the specimen. Pleasing fluorescent responses under both SW and LW UV are noted. A nice display piece, overall size about 12x10cm @ 100.00. One only!
RHODONITE in GALENA- Proprietary Mine, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia
Excellent, deep red blocky crystals and masses of rhodonite richly scattered in silvery-grey, metallic galena matrix. Old Cureton stock, quite colorful and attractive for the species and association, priced according to quality. Sizes from 3.5cm to 6cm across @ 20.00, 35.00 and 55.00 each.
ROCKBRIDGEITE etc.- Tip Top Mine, Fourmile, Custer Co., South Dakota
Dark greenish black radiaiting aggregates of rockbridgeite largely comprising matrix, typically assocaited with other phosphate species from this famould locality. Excellent reference specimens, sizes from about 2.5cm to 6cm across @ just 8.00, 15.00 and 25.00 each.
SPHALERITE etc.- Eagle Mine, Gilman, Eagle Co., Colorado This huge NJ Zinc-owned property was once the largest zinc and copper producer in Colordo, ceasing operations by 1981 and now reclaimed. These black sphalerite specimens show a multitude of tiny crystals, many intergrown and occasionally with minor pyrite, siderite or other phases. Collected by the miners in 1960, we have only a few of these older, representative samples from this famous locality, overall sizes from about 3cm to 5cm across at just 8.00 and 12.50 each.
SPURRITE- Crestmore Quarry, Riverside Co., California
Large greyish masses of spurrite comprising matrix, often associated with merwinite and other Ca-silicates from this prolific and well known locality. Specimen sizes will range from 2.5cm to a monster 26x17cm(!!) @ 7.50, 15.00, 25.00, 40.00, 65.00, 85.00 and 150.00.
TENNANTITE-(Fe)- Trixie Mine, Tintic District, Utah
Micro crystals of the newly defined greyish metallic tennantite-(Fe) scattered in quartz crystal vugs, most with minor chalcopyrite, pyrite and rarely enargite. Analytical work (copy supplied) suggests much of this material has up to 4 wt% silver as a constituent of the tennantite-(Fe). Good for the locality and interesting micro material from our 2004 study of tennantite-tetrahedrite, published in Mineral News in 2004. Specimen sizes range from about 2cm to nearly 4cm @ 10.00, 15.00 and 25.00 each.
TOPAZ with FLUORITE etc.- Dassu, Skardu, Gilgit-Balkistan, Pakistan
Several colorless, transparent topaz crystals, the largest about 3x1.5cm perched on pegmatitic matrix, showing several small pods of pale greenish fluorite, mica nad several other unidentified minerals embedded in the feldspar matrix. An interesting association piece that a previous owner had paid 1250.00, but we offer it here for just 795.00, a real steal if you are fond of topaz specimens! Overall size is 11x8x6cm!
ULEXITE- Boron, Kern Co., California
Excellent, polished cross sections of nature's "fiber optic" rock! The ends of these fibrous sections have been lightly buffed so that light and images are transmitted through the material when placed over a written page, for example. Great for demonstrating the concepts of fiber optics, specimens from about 3x2cm to 8x4cm @ 8.00, 15.00 and 25.00 each. Neat!
URANINITE w/ NATIVE GOLD- Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire
A pure, crudely crystallized specimen of black, cubic uraninite comprising matrix, ex-Rozenbroeck collection. Exceptionally hot specimen that will require an oversized shipping box, uraninite size about 2.3cm across, solid, and with small, micro masses of native gold scattered across one exposed crystal face. Originally supplied by Gilbert Gauthier, the mine manager at Shinkolobwe, priced at 850.00. One only!
VATERITE- Elmwood Mine, Smith Co., Tennessee
A great carbonate rarity from this prolific locality: vaterite occurs in greyish white, somewhat chalky to chertlike fine-grained masses, admixed with minor calcite as well. From a single pocket, XRD-confirmed material, a few specimens from about 1cm to nearly 3cm @ 20.00, 35.00 and 65.00 each. Fragmented research material available @ 25.00 per gram, 5 gram minimum!
VERMICULITE- Albanel, Quebec, Canada
Soft, dark brown micaceous plates of pure vermiculite without matrix, these showing typical inelastic properties, and hence, different from most other micaceous minerals. Pure stuff, plate sizes from 1cm to 2.5cm across @ only 5.00 and 8.50 each; bulk material (50g minimum) available @ 1.50 per gram; exGeological Survey of Canada.
VIHORLATITE- Poruba, Vihorlat Mountains, Slovakia
This approved species occurs as tiny greyish metallic aggregates sparsely scattered in buff colored rock matrix. Formula: Bi(Se,Te,S). Only a few specimens on hand, matrix sizes from 1cm to nearly 3cm @ 45.00, 75.00 and 125.00 each.
WILLEMITE etc.- Sterling Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co New Jersey
A large cabinet specimen comprised of massive, red willemite, associated with typical calcite/franklinite. Expect brilliant fluorescence (SW UV intense green), and subtle phosphoresce as well in this generously sized specimen. Overall about 12x8 cm, very heavy, at just 55.00.
YOFORTIERITE w/ POLYLITHIONITE- Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
From the original 1960's find, yofortierite occurs as pinkish hair-like fibers intergrown with flaky polylithionite, with smaller amounts of other minerals, but often with rather large, globular analcime crystals as well. Fairly rich, colorful and well mixed material from a classic locality, many with micro potential as well. Sizes from 1.5cm to nearly 6cm @ just 20.00, 35.00 and 60.00 each.
ZEMANNITE- Mina Bambollita, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
From a recently obtained small lot, we have well crystallized specimens of this zinc tellurite mineral. Zemannite is found here as very tiny hexagonal prismatic brown microcrystals, as individuals or in aggregated sprays, rather sprasely scattered in quartz-filled vugs, associated with tellurite, etc. Type locality material, obtained many years ago from the author. Quite attractive under the 'scope, specimens available from approximately 2cm to nearly 5cm @ 35.00, 55.00, and 75.00 each; a few with multiple pockets to 150.00 each.
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