CATALOG 21505 – Volume XLII, No. 5BERYL variety GOSHENITE- Sao Geraldo do Baixio, M.G., Brazil
Excellent, water clear beryl specimens, here as convoluted and highly lustrous. matrix-free specimens, these as
hydrotermally etched floaters. Unusually complex, icy and attractive mounted thumbnail samples about 2.5cm tall at just 25.00 each.
BOURNONITE- Viboras Mine, Machacamarca, Potosi, Bolivia
This silver mine has produced a range of tabular bournonite specimens, ranging from small, greyish masses up to large tabular crystals of 2cm or more. All of the smaller specimens show thousands of tiny quartz crystals comprising a spongey matrix, many with micro pyrite and occasionally rhombic crystals of siderite, as yet unreported for the locality but plainly evident in these samples. White kaoliite, alos unreported from the locality, is also present on some. We offer two distict grades, with lesser samples in the 2.5cm to 5cm range @ just 15.00, 25.00 and 35.00 each, with the larger, tabular crystallized specimens in the 3cm to 5cm range @ 40.00, 55.00 and 75.00 each.
CALCITE- Tintic District, Juab Co., Utah
An old and unique specimen comprised of bladed, herringbone-like crystalline aggregates of greyish calcite in an
excellent, divergent group, with many of the "limbs" showing tiny nailhead crystals overgrowing the somewhat flattened sprays. The specimen is quite attractive and is ex-Michigan College of Mines (prior to 1927) with old cardboard label (#DM 6903) via A.E. Seaman Museum. A unique specimen, and a remarkable piece for Tintic, currently pictured on
www.Mindat.org. Overall size about 10x5cm @ 250.00. Impossible to obtain today!
CELADONITE with AMETHYST- Ametista do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Amethystinew quartz from this locality is well known throughout the world, but few recogize that the underlying, very thin green crust that outlines the geodes from this locality are comprised of films of celadonite! Excellent locality material, with modest amethyst crystals generally separated by an agate band from the celadonite, specimen sizes from modest 5cm to 15cm across @ just 7.50, 15.00 and 25.00 each.
CHAPMANITE- McDermitt Mine, Humboldt Co., Nevada
This uncommon mineral occurs here as murky, light green crusts and veinlets well-scattered over buff-colored matrix. One of the few and perhaps the best U.S. locality for the species, specimen sizes range from about 3cm to 7cm across @ 12.50, 20.00 and 35.00 each.
CHLORBARTONITE- Koashva Mine, Khibiny, Kola, Russia
A remarkable discovery of crystallized (!!) chlorbartonite, the first-time discovery of a crystallized mineral in the bartonite series, originally uncovered in 2008! Carefully checked by XRD (for symmetry) and microprobe (for Cl/S ratio), these are dark bronze-colored aggregates and occur as relatively large grains and rectangular tablets, occasionally twinned or in groups in a pegmatitic matrix, some with modest micro potential as well. Most are associated with white natrolite, acicular astrophyllite and dark sphalerite as well. Type locality material, superior stuff, matrix sizes from about 2cm to 4cm @ 85.00, 125.00 and 155.00 each, depending on quality, not necessarily size.
CHURCHITE-(Y) "WEINSCHENKITE"- Kelly Bank, Vesuvius, Virginia
This uncommon mineral occurs here as white balls and masses scattered on dark, limonitic rock matrix. This material was collected over fifty years ago and was just recently "rediscovered" here in an old flat. Specimen sizes range from 2.5cm to nearly 5cm @ 15.00, 25.00 and 40.00 each, some with micro potential as well.
CORNWALLITE on CHRYSOCOLLA- Jackrabbit Mine, Lyon Co., Nevada
Minute, emerald green balls of cornwallite sparsely scattered on brilliant blue, botryoidal chrysocolla matrix, occasionally with other micro secondary minerals. An interesting locality, recently featured in Mineral News (Vol. 31 No. 5, 2015). Only a few TNs available @ 12.50 each.
COVELLITE- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona
From a small box of fairly rich, old covellite specimens from this historic deposit, here as small, electric blue metallic masses scattered in rock matrix. Certainly not as pure as old Montana material, but representative for the locality. Specimens average about 3cm across @ just 20.00 each.
DALYITE- Gjerdingselva, Nordmarka, Oppland, Norway
This moderately rare K-Zr-silicate occurs as minute colorless grains in granitic matrix, most easily seen under SW UV as it has a brilliant, yellow fluorescent response. Typical associations include janhaugite, aegirine and others, all in micro sizes. Named for Harvard professor R.A. Daly (1871-1957), only a few TN-sized specimens on hand @ 45.00 each, accompanied by a copy of a Norwegian museum label. List alternates!
DESTINEZITE- Argenteau, Vise, Leige Province, Belgium
Large, cauliflower like masses of creamy, yellow-white and somewhat powdery destinezite richly comprising matrix. Relatively pure material from the classic, type locality, these old specimens range in size from about 3.5cm to 8cm across @ just 20.00, 35.00, 55.00 and 80.00 each.
DIAMOND- Tshikapa, Kasai Province (Zaire) Dem Rep Congo
We acquired this interesting diamond crystal back when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was still called Zaire! The stone is a complex octahedron that shows multiple penetration twins poking out from several octahedral faces, all with excellent trigonal growth patterns evident. The stone is translucent to transparent and shows a pale tan to slightly yellowish color, its overall weight a generous 3.91 carats, measuring 10x7x7mm and offered at just 475.00, below $125 a carat! Excellent value for an interesting and sizeable diamond; one only - list alternates!
DIGENITE- Leonard Mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co. Montana
Very rich, metallic electric blue-grey massive digenite comprising matrix and showing typical conchoidal fracture, most specimens with other admixed sulfides such as djurleite etc.. Attractive, old-time material rarely available today, originally supplied by Laszlo Dudas, mineralogist for Anaconda at Butte. Matrix sizes from 2.5cm to large 9cm samples @ 7.50, 15.00, 25.00, 45.00, 75.00 and 125.00 each. Nice!
GOETHITE with HEMATITE- Richard's Glory Hole, Socorro Co., New Mexico
From a small claim in the Luis Lopez Mining District, these are weird stalactitic goethite specimens typically brown in color, some with black botryoidal hematite formed around the elongated stalactites that range from 1cm to 2cm tall, showing neat spires and knobs on matrix. Specimens average about 5cm long @ just 15.00 each. Massive specimens without stalactites are just 8.50, all showing radiating botryoids.
HASTINGSITE- Cape Calamita Mine, Isle d'Elba, Italy
Nearly pure, greyish-green fibrous masses of hastingsite richly scattered in and comprising matrix. Excellent,
representative material from an old and prolific locality extensively exploited in the late 1800s. Classic stuff, matrix sizes from about 2cm to 5cm @ just 10.00, 17.50 and 25.00 each.
HUNTITE- Crestmore, Riverside Co., California
White masses of fine-grained huntite richly distributed in matrix, potentially associated with other, equally uninspiring white minerals so prolific at Crestmore. Older material acquired years ago, specimens from about 2cm to 5cm across @ 10.00, 17.50 and 25.00 each. Rich material from Nevada also on hand - inquire!
HYDROZINCITE- Yellow Pine Mine, Goodsprings, Nevada
Pure white, tiny fibrous needle-liek crystals of hydrozincite largely comprising matrix. In addition to good micro potential, these specimens are brilliantly (!!) fluorescent (bright blue-white) under SW UV! From an old hoard, sizes from 1.5cm to 5cm @ 7.50, 15.00 and 25.00 each. Nice!
HYDROXYL-HERDERITE- Emmons Quarry, Greenwood, Oxford Co, Maine
Small, translucent to transparent single crystals and somewhat botryoidal masses of hydroxyl-herderite on albite, most singles without matrix from material collected years ago. Crystal sizes range from about 3mm to 9mm @ just 10.00, 20.00 and 35.00 each. Old stuff!
IODARGYRITE- South Mine, Broken Hill, N.S.W., Australia
Classic locality material! This unusual silver iodide occurs as yellow botryoidal blebs and masses scattered on gossan matrix, coverage ranging from poor to prolific and ultimately determining price. Matrix sizes range from about 2cm to nearly 5cm across @ 20.00, 30.00, 45.00 and 60.00 each. Old stuff!
JOHANNSENITE- Iron Cap Mine, Graham County, Arizona
This Ca-rich clinopyroxene occurs as small, elongated fibrous aggregates and radiating groups richly scattered along exposed seams in matrix. The needle-like fibers are typically dark green to dark brown in color, generally several millimeters tall, and all specimens will yield interesting micro's as well. Collected over 30 years ago, overall matrix sizes range from about 3cm to nearly 8cm across @ only 10.00, 20.00, 35.00 and 55.00 each.
KIMBERLITE- Lake Ellen, Iron Co., Michigan
Interesting petrology samples of kimberlite, the most productive of diamond-bearing host rocks, these from the first and best-known diatreme breccia kimberlite depositis in the state. Typical mineral assemblages can include garnets, olivines, clino- and ortho- pyroxenes enstatites, corundums, ilmenite etc. Micro diamonds have been found in the deposit (none by us), but it is not an economically viable prospect. Specimens range from about 4x3cm to 7x5cm chunks @ 20.00, 35.00 and 50.00 each,
LEIFITE- Poudrette Quarry, Mont St. Hilaire, Canada
Not your ordinary leifite specimens comprised of thin, isolated needles, but rather two extraordinary examples of this fairly rare mineral in lustrous, hemispherical groups that appear as smooth balls on the top surface, but are actually the terminations of densely-packed radiaiting crystals beneath! A great, partial ball as a hemispherical thumbnail about 3cm tall @ 395.00; one larger 4.5x3.5 complex and astounding monster with micro, pink serandite and other potential associations @ 1500.00. List alternates!
LINARITE- Grand Reef Mine, Klondyke, Graham Co., Arizona
From material obtained in the 1970s, we have uncovered a small lot of 3x3cm clear plastic boxes with thumbnails of brilliant, dark blue lustrous linarite specimens, most as excellent micro crystals on matrix, quite beautiful under the 'scope! Great stuff from old stock, specimens are priced at just 5.00, 7.50 and 10.00 each. A steal!
MAGNETITE- Iron Mountain, Iron Co., Utah
Rich, black, octahedral crystals and sections of magnetite completely covering rock matrix, these collected back in the 1960s by Ted Morley from this old and prolific locality known for the species. Specimens range from about 2.5cm to 6cm across, offered at just 8.00, 15.00, and 25.00 each. Wonderful old stuff!
MANGANPYROSMALITE- Kyurazawa Mine, Ashio, Tochigi Pref Japan
This moderately rare species occurs as pale brownish masses well scattered in matrix, some with minor rhodonite or possibly other phases. From an excellent locality rarely available today, we have a few 2cm to 3cm samples @ only 35.00 and 45.00 each, one exceptional 4.5cm specimen @ 85.00.
MITRIDATITE- Bull Mosse Mine, Custer Co., South Dakota
Excellent micro groups of mitridatite appearing as greenish brown delicate balls and fuzzy aggregates as crusts and knobs lining isolated vugs of highly altered, dark greenish black phosphate nodules, typically with small scattered mass of bright pyrite and/or arsenopyrite throughout, and often with other prolific phosphate species. Excellent for the species, matrix sizes from about 2cm to nearly 5cm across @ just 10.00, 25.00 and 45.00 each, most with modest micro potential as well!
NEPHELINE- Mt. Somma, Naples, Campania, Italy
Old specimens, ex-Michigan Mining College and collected sometime prior to 1927, here as crudely crystallized
nepheline richly lining seams and vugs, most with sanidine and possibly other species. Specimen sizes range from
reference-only 2.5cm samples @ 15.00, to larger hand specimens from 5cm to 8cm across @ 45.00 and 60.00 each, many with old labels. Neat!
NICKEL (Refinery Product)- General Electric Plant in Pennsylvania
These are interesting colloidal, branching groups of pure nickel from the walls of an industrial plating tank. The original ore was of Canadian origin that was subsequently processed into button forms for electrolitic uses. Attractive, bright metallic groups from 1cm to 2.5cm @ 8.50, 15.00 and 20.00 each.
NONTRONITE- Horni Slavkov, Czech Republic
Pale green, impure masses of nontronite lightly scattered in/on matrix. An interesting species from an unusual locality, sizes are small TNs from 1.5cm to 2.5cm @ 8.50, 10.00 and 15.00 each, a few larger @ 25.00 each.
OFFRETITE- Mt. Semiol, Loire, Rhone-Alpes, France
Old specimens from this well-known locality, obtained from Dr. Sainfeld at the French School of Mines in Paris many years ago. Offretite occurs as clear micro crystals scattered in seams and vugs in olivine basalt matrix, with overall sizes from about 2.5cm to 6cm across @ 15.00, 25.00 and 45.00 each.
OPAL- Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico
Old time stuff comprised of typical pinkish rhyolite matrix with small pods of clear to pale orange firey jelly opal.
Reasonably attractive and inexpensive TNs from a 1970s vintage lot, sizes ranging from about 2cm to 2.5 cm priced according to fire @ just 5.00 and 8.00 each. Cheap!
SCHORL with QUARTZ- nr. Canon City, Fremont Co., Colorado
A rather large specimen comprised of translucent white, massive quartz, filled with elongated black crystals and sections of schorl tourmaline to 9cm long (!!) and up to 0.6cm wide richly scattered on teh surface and interior of the specimen. Ex-A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum specimen and accompanied by their label, this monster sample is likely from one of the many pegmatites in the Texas Creek Area west of the town. Overall size about 15x8x7 cm @ just 150.00. Heavy!
SEGNITITE- San Rafael Mine, Nye Co., Nevada
This uncommon mineral occurs here as yellowish green botryoids and masses well-scattered on limonitic matrix,
commonly associated with micro-crystalline beudantite and occasionally other species. Fairly rich for the mineral and some with modest micro potential as well, specimens from about 2.5cm to 9cm across @ just 10.00, 20.00, 35.00 and 55.00 each. A few very rich, monster-size samples from 14cm to 18x15cm @ 150.00 and 225.00 each.
SIDERITE (ex-Prof. Destinez)- Vise, Liege Province, Belgium
A historically significant specimen comprised of a 2.5cm vug filled with micro brown siderite crystals in dense, 5x5cm limestone matrix. Attached to the bottom of the sample is the original signed label of Pierre Destinez (1847-1911) for whom the mineral destinezite was named in 1880. Once discredited, his legacy mineral was reinstated in 2002. Also included with the specimen is Destinez' handwritten, caligraphic signed label, as well as labels from Cilen, Albanese and Frank Z. Edwards. Importantly, siderite is currently not a listed species from Vise, yet this mineralogist's early specimen from the University of Liege clearly labels the species & locality! A classic with superb provenance, one only @ 125.00.
SPINEL- Amity, Orange Co., New York
An old specimen, ex-Michigan College of Mines, comprised of both black, octahedral spinel crystals to 7mm and larger masses of the mineral well-scattered in calcite matrix. The crystals are small but numerous, and the piece was likely collected sometime between 1897 and 1927, based on the label vintage. Surprisingly heavy, overall size about 8x7cm @ 55.00. One only, with label!
TEALLITE with WURTZITE- Carguaicolla Mine, Potosi Dept., Bolivia
Broad, silvery metallic foliated masses of teallite scattered in matrix, most specimens associated with red-brown,
granular wurtzite, potentially with other species. From one of the few sulfide deposits mined for tin, these were collected over 15 years ago and only recently found here. Specimens range from about 2.5cm to 5.5cm, dense and heavy, @ just 15.00, 30.00 and 45.00 each.
THOMETZEKITE w/ ARSENIOSIDERITE- Gold Hill Mine, Tooele Co., Utah
Minute, pale greenish yellow aggregates of thometzekite sparsely scattered on matrix, most associated with dark redbrown arseniosiderite often more richly scattered. An interesting arsenate assemblage, some with modest micro potential, specimen sizes from about 2cm to 3cm @ 25.00 and 35.00 each.
TILASITE- H.J. Winch Mine, Rambhapur, Jhabur, India
A very old specimen, originally collected from this prolific Central India region by E.J. Beer in 1924, comprised of a
rather fine-grained pegmatitic matrix largely of feldspar and quartz, with obvious blue-black amphiboles (species status a mess to determine!) and very pale and quite small blebs and tiny masses of yellowish to yellowish green tilasite very sparsely scattered about the piece. If we had more time and patience, perhaps some very exotic amphibole discoveries are contained in this one, overall size about 7x6cm @ 85.00; via-E.S. Treseder Collection, circa 1970. Will need your microscope on this one!
TRIPLITE- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
A small lot of old specimens ex-Michigan College of Mines, comprised of rich, brown masses of triplite largely
comprising matrix, occasionally with minor muscovite or other phases. Classic locality material, specimens from about 3cm to hefty 6cm across @ just 15.00, 30.00 and 55.00 each. Excellent for the locality!
TVALCHRELIDZEITE- Gomi Mercury Dep., Gornaya Racha, Rep of Georgia
Another TYPE LOCALITY mineral, here from a rarely offered country in the former USSR. The mineral occurs here as greyish black metallic aggregates and twisted crystalline forms from several millimeters long in masses, often with somewhat redish reflections perched on matrix. A rare Hg-As-Sb sulfide, matrix specimens from 2cm to nearly 3cm across @ 75.00, 100.00 and 145.00 each.
VASHEGYITE- Van Nav San Claim, Eureka Co., Nevada
This uncommon phosphate occurs here as dull white masses and filmy aggregates lightly scattered on pale rock matrix, most with a light and occasional dusting of pale yellowish schoderite/metaschoderite. Decidedly ugly specimens, but far less costly than our richer Belgian material, sizes from about 3cm to nearly 5cm across @ just 20.00 and 35.00 each.
VIVIANITE- Anloua, N'Gaoundere, Cameroon
A wedge-shaped dark-green single crystal of vivianite, having lustrous but curved crystal faces and resembling a fern leaf. From the now classic African locality, ex-French School of Mines specimen from Drs. Sainfeld and Mantienne in the late 1970s, about 5cm tall @ 85.00.
WALSTROMITE- Big Creek, Fresno Co., California
Pearly white to colorless disseminated aggregates and exposed seams of this unusual silicate scattered in matrix.
Walstromite is nicely fluorescent (pinkish-orange SW) and therefore readily discernable in these rich specimens. Sizes from 2 to 6cm @ 10.00, 20.00 and 35.00 each.
WHELANITE- Christmas Mine, Gila Co., Arizona
Another in series of secondary copper minerals noted from the Christmas Mine, whelanite occurs as pale blue fibrous coatings on matrix, occasionally associated with dark blue stringhamite and probably other Cu minerals as well. IMAapproved but not published for many years despite its mention by name in several earlier articles, coverage is modest to good in these specimens. Sizes from 3.5cm to 7cm @ 20.00, 35.00, 45.00 and 60.00 each.
ZAPATALITE- Cerro Morita, Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico
This rare copper phosphate occurs as minute pale blue masses and botryoids in fractures and exposed seams on
matrix, usually with other secondary copper phases. Type locality material originally supplied by the author some years ago, some with modest micro potential, matrix sizes from about 2cm to 5cm @ 25.00, 40.00 and 55.00 each
COLLECTIONS
MYSTERY FLATS- Various Localities Worldwide
Another new offering of our well-regarded "mystery flats" of twenty (20) different specimens from worldwide localities, all individually labeled and ranging in size from about 2.5cm to 5cm across for the princely sum of just $125 plus shipping. These are from old collections, excess stock, single specimens and material available only in small quantities too labor intensive to describe and catalog. Some will be colorful, some will be ugly, some will have micro potential, some from obscure localities, but the lot will be worth a minimum of $250 or more, yours sight-unseen for our liquidation price of just $125 plus shipping! Multiple orders up to three sets (60 specimens) received at the same time will not have duplicates! A bargain for anyone wishing to expand their collection horizons, these now include specimens from a recent University purchase! Try one!
NATIVE BISMUTH- Various localities Worldwide
Like the skutterudite collection we recently offered, we have a rich stock of old native bismuth specimens obtained from a wide range of museums, universities and private collections. Specimens of this native metal are typically rich, grey metallic in appearance, and a diverse suite of localities from Europe and elsewhere are included. Specimen sizes range from about 3cm to 6cm across, all individually labeled, and offered at 8 different specimens for just 195.00. Improve the depth of your collection with this excellent, diverse locality suite for a single native element!
GEM
BERYL variety EMERALD- 3.15 cts Colombia
When we buy collections, we buy everything, even those items for which we have no immediate use. Gemstones fall into this category, and this is a great opportunity for someone out there. This is a remarkable faceted stone of excellent Colombian emerald, here as a nicely transparent, lightly included gemmy oval showing fine, medium (70) green color. The stone weighs 3.15 carats and measures (LxWxD) 10.95 x 8.57 x 5.56 mm, and is quite attractive, offered at less than $225 a carat at just 695.00, discounted by more than 60% off from its appraised value! The stone is accompanied by a 2008 written appraisal from a New York gem lab, indicating a replacement value of $1800.00! A great bargain, and one only, of course! First come, first served!
