Pre-Tucson Mineral Auction
** High quality mineral specimens at very low opening bids **

OFFERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!

Most Recent Update was ....... 10:24 PM  1/18/2010

The Auction is Closed!

Please feel free to make offers on anything without
an opening bid. These specimens are still available.

From my personal Silver Collection!
Incredible sprays of Proustite with Acanthite and Native Silver on Calcite crystals!
This classic old museum piece dates back to the 1850's and is quite simply the finest
specimen of German Proustite on matrix that I've ever seen or owned! The Proustite
has been well protected and still has considerable redness in the crystals. The addition
of Acanthite and Native Silver wires makes the piece extraordinary. Even the matrix
is composed of sharp, well formed and stacked Calcite crystals! From the Himmelfurst
Mine, Freiberg District, Erzgeberg, Saxony, Germany. Measures 8.5 cm by 7 cm in size.
Comes with a custom made, labeled stand.
From the Kevin Ward Personal Collection
Original Price $32,500

Minimum Opening Bid - $20,000
Minimum Increment - $350
No Maximum Increment

Gorgeous deep cherry-red Rhodochrosite rhombs with Quartz on Tetrahedrite matrix!
Super gemmy and bright, these rhombs are big and glassy with the largest measuring 3 cm length-wise
and over 2 cm across the face! This rhomb has some slight natural contact (pocket contact) along the
left corner but this is not damage. There's also a small bit of corner flaking, also naturally occurring,
on the left rhomb but the size and color of the crystals easily overwhelms both areas of imperfection.
From the Millennium Pocket of the Fluorite raise, Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Colorado.
Measures 8 cm by 6 cm in total size.
Ex. Goings Mineral Collection
Original Price $8500

Minimum Opening Bid - $5200
Minimum Increment - $100
No Maximum Increment

Beautiful combination of Morganite, Rubellite Tourmaline, Quartz, and Lepidolite on Albite!
The 3.4 cm Morganite exhibits a soft reddish-pink color with gemmy interiors.
From the Stewart Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California.
Measures 7.2 cm by 6.4 cm in total size.
Original Price $2500

Minimum Opening Bid - $1500
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Stunning specimen of gemmy Sulfur crystals set atop Aragonite!
I can't remember ever seeing a finer Sulfur miniature. This specimen is superb with perfectly
formed crystals of glowing yellow color and gemminess. I paid VERY strong money for this
specimen when I originally purchased it because Sulfurs of this quality are few and far between.
From the Cozzodisi Mine, Casteltermini, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy.
Measures 4 cm by 5 cm in size. Circa 1980s.
From the Hall of Fame Collection
Ex. Ferris Mineral Collection
Original Price $4500

Minimum Opening Bid - $3500
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Pretty cluster of gemmy pink Cobaltian Calcite crystals with Kolwezite!
Kolwezite is a rare, olive-green mineral which occasionally appears on these pink Calcite specimens!
Chemical formula - (Cu,Co)₂[(OH)₂|CO₃]
From the Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga (Shaba), Dem. Republic of Congo (Zaire).
Measures 3.3 cm by 4.4 cm in size.
Original Price $385

Minimum Opening Bid - $225
Minimum Increment - $10
No Maximum Increment

Brilliant, glassy, emerald-green crystals of Dioptase in cluster!
From the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumen, Namibia, SW Africa.
Measures 3.7 cm by 3.6 cm in size.
Original Price $645

Minimum Opening Bid - $300
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

EXCEPTIONAL! Large specimen featuring rare crystals of Augelite with Siderite and Pyrite!
Augelite is a very rare Aluminum Hydroxyl Phosphate and these crystals are especially sharp
with plenty of gemminess and luster. The Siderite crystals aren't bad either with good translucent
color. Several large and dozens of smaller Pyrite octahedrons balance off this large cabinet piece.
From the Rosario Section of the Tazna Mine, Cerro Tazna, Potosí Department, Bolivia.
Measures 13 cm by 13 cm by 11.2 cm in size.
Ex. Kosnar, Marvin Rausch Collections
Original Price $2500

Minimum Opening Bid - $1500
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Nearly pristine specimen of Vanadinite crystals atop matrix!
I see so many of these specimens with dull surfaces and missing or broken crystals,
that I have to do a double take when I see one that's as good as this one is. The
aesthetic display speaks for itself but the flashy, lustrous surfaces of each reddish-
orange crystal is gorgeous. Also, there's literally no damage anywhere on the entire
specimen. I've looked this piece over many times and can't find a broken crystal.
From Mibladen, Meknes-Tafilalet Region, Morocco.
Measures 5.7 cm by 7.8 cm in size.
Ex. Martin Zinn Collection
Original Price $5450

Minimum Opening Bid - $2900
Minimum Increment - $50
No Maximum Increment

Distinctive crystals of Native Gold with Limonite matrix!
Sharp, lustrous crystals of Native Gold literally cover this entire specimen!
They start at the bottom right and climb the matrix upwards towards the top left.
From Jamestown, Jamestown District, Tuolumne County, California.
Measures 2.6 cm by 1.9 cm in size.
Ex. Van Cleave Mineral Collection
Original Price $2500

Minimum Opening Bid - $1650
Minimum Increment - $50
No Maximum Increment

Glassy and quite flashy cluster of purple Creedite crystals!
One of the better Creedite clusters I've seen in a while! The crystals number in the hundreds
and nearly all are gemmy and terminated. A small amount of orange has worked its way into what
is mainly a purple cluster but I really like the color accenting. The bottom of the cluster appears
cast-like with a concave opening. This also gives a rounded appearance to the Creedite surface.
From Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Measures 9 cm by 6.4 cm by 4.6 cm in size.
Original Price $3450

Minimum Opening Bid - $1750
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Cute miniature featuring a BLUE Topaz crystal snug between Smoky Quartz on Albite!
The crystal is a nice blue color with only one tiny bump visible under 10X magnification.
It's very gemmy and perfectly terminated, measuring 1.5 cm in size.
From the Mokrusha Mine, Alabashka, Middle Ural Mountains, Russia.
Measures 5 cm by 3.6 cm in size.
Ex. Caroline Stoufer Collection
Original Price $485

Minimum Opening Bid - $295
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

Glowing specimen of bi-color Fluorite!
The lavender came second and overgrew the green it appears. The specimen is very translucent
and glows when given a backlight. The habit is octahedral with a myriad of light reflecting crystal faces.
From the Xianghualing Mine, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province of China.
Measures 10.3 cm by 12.8 cm in size.
Ex. Revelle Mineral Collection
Original Price $2500

Minimum Opening Bid - $1650
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Super aesthetic specimen of John's Pocket Rhodochrosite!
A beautiful specimen featuring three large cherry-red rhombs with two smaller rhombs set atop
white Quartz matrix, surrounding four large Quartz points in the middle. For the record, these are
the largest Quartz points I've ever seen from the Sweet Home. They look more like Arkansas
Quartz than the usual needle Quartz you see from this mine. This incredible plate is from the
John's Pocket and like most specimens from that find, the Rhodochrosite crystals have an
incredible deep cherry color under a delicate matt surface. The thing that's cool about that
however is that it's an attractive matt finish and not an ugly one. The rich color of the rhombs
comes through loud and clear without any paleness or frosting! I think the photograph clearly
demonstrates that. The largest rhomb to the lower left measures nearly 3 cm tip to tip and the
rhomb above it measures 2.7 cm in size. The largest Quartz crystal measures 5 cm in length!
It has a rehealed termination while the other Quartz points have full, complete terminations.
From the John's Pocket, Watercourse Raise, Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Colorado.
Measures 9 cm by 9 cm in total size.
Ex. Goings Mineral Collection
Original Price $7500

Minimum Opening Bid - $5000
Minimum Increment - $200
No Maximum Increment

Cabinet specimen of Brazilianite crystals with Cassiterite on Albite crystals!
This specimen was the finest example from the 2002 Tucson show! The crystals are perfect and
undamaged from largest to smallest with very glassy faces and the Albite is white and sharp.
The contrast between the two minerals is incredible! I sold this specimen to a major collector
some years ago and now have it back. I'm very happy to be able to offer it a second time.
From the Telirio Mine, Divina das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 18 cm by 9 cm in total size.
From the Hall of Fame Collection
Ex. Ferris Mineral Collection
Original Price $12,500

Minimum Opening Bid - $7500
Minimum Increment - $250
No Maximum Increment

Cabinet sized specimen of lustrous blue Gibbsite with Doyleite!
Gibbsite is a rare aluminum hydroxide species which almost never appears for sale at the shows.
Doyleite is an equally as rare polymorph of Gibbsite. Both species are present on this impressive plate.
This specimen was part of a small find in China some years ago (2006). The surfaces are botryoidal with
a lustrous, greasy sheen. This is the largest plate I've seen to date and it's also in excellent shape!
From the Baoshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province of China.
Measures 12.8 cm by 23 cm by 9.4 cm in size.
Original Price $1850

Minimum Opening Bid - $950
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Fine, terminated blades of Erythrite in cluster with Sphalerite on matrix!
Beautiful specimen with a sharpness that I don't see too often in Erythrite specimens.
So many of these are compressed or bruised with damaged blades but this one is sharp!
From the Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco.
Measures 4 cm by 5.8 cm in size.
Original Price $685

Minimum Opening Bid - $485
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

Classic and pristine specimen of Rosasite on matrix!
Beautiful satiny surfaces of botryoidal Rosasite highlight this specimen.
From the Silver Bill Mine, near Gleeson, Cochise County, Arizona.
Measures 3.6 cm by 2.7 cm in size.
Ex. Harold Michel Collection
Original Price $285

Minimum Opening Bid - $145
Minimum Increment - $10
No Maximum Increment

Prehistoric Meteoritic Impact Glass!
The story behind this glass is amazing. When some of the pharaoh tombs were discovered in Egypt,
archeologists discovered small figurines carved from a yellowish-green glass. The Egyptians had
apparently found this glass scattered about in the desert to their west and used the translucent glass
fragments for their sculptures and small carvings. It was a highly prized "gemstone" and important
enough to be included in the tombs of their rulers. Jump forward to the 20th century when in 1932,
scientists exploring the Sahara Desert stumbled across a find of green glass while searching for
undiscovered ruins. They had accidently rediscovered the source of the Egyptian green glass.
The glass was tested and found to be impact glass from a prehistoric asteroid impact in the desert.
The impact was so violent that the desert sandstone was instantly heated and melted into glass
which was then tossed far and wide from the crater. No crater was evident however until satellite
images showed a huge impact zone which had been covered by centuries of sand drift and water
erosion by ancient rivers. See story. This impact glass is unique in that it is green and lustrous
unlike tektites which are generally dark. It has been scientifically dated by fission-track methods
to 28.5 million years old and probably occurred at some 2800 degrees melting temperature!
Age estimated at 28.5 million years old.
Most likely from the recently discovered Kebira Crator.
Measures 5.5 cm by 6.2 cm by 3.8 cm in size and weighs 106.7 grams.
Original Price $985

Minimum Opening Bid - $500
Minimum Increment - $25
No Maximum Increment

Beautiful specimen of Beryl var. Aquamarine crystals on Albite!
A gorgeous cluster of gemmy crystals with pure sky-blue coloration!
From Rio State, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 4.6 cm by 4.7 cm.
Ex. Martin Zinn Collection.
Original Price $1250

Minimum Opening Bid - $650
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Breathtaking cluster of Rose Quartz crystals set atop Albite matrix!
This specimen is completely crystalline, both front and back. The crystals at the
lowest point on the left side matrix begin horizontally and grow upwards until they
spray out at the top! The terminations are all there and complete and the color is rich!
From the Sapucaia Mine, Sapucaia do Norte, Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 6.7 cm by 5 cm in size.
Original Price $1850

Minimum Opening Bid - $1000
Minimum Increment - $35
No Maximum Increment

Blue Azurite crystal spheres with smaller green Malachite balls on matrix!
Superb combination plate from the Morenci Mine! There must be a couple dozen of these
blue crystal spheres and the smaller Malachite balls really balance the overall appearance.
From the Morenci Copper Mine, Morenci, Greenlee County, Arizona.
Measures 6 cm by 14.6 cm by 5.8 cm in size.
Original Price $750

Minimum Opening Bid - $450
Minimum Increment - $20
No Maximum Increment

Sweet pocket of purple Creedite surrounded by Calcite xls and matrix!
One of the most aesthetic specimens from the Cresson Mine, Cripple Creek,
Teller County, Colorado that I found at the show. It's also undamaged with a pristine
Creedite ball spray which is very difficult to find in these particular specimens.
Measures 6.3 cm by 5 cm in size.
Original Price $985

Minimum Opening Bid - $400
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

Tremendous plate featuring a smoky-golden Cerussite crystal with Barite on matrix!
The Cerussite is perfectly terminated and measures nearly 6 cm in length. The orange Barite blades
to the left are in excellent shape and contrast beautifully atop the sparkling Cerussite matrix.
From Mibladen, Midelt, Meknes-Tafilalet Region, Morocco.
Measures 6.7 cm by 10 cm in size.
Ex. Gary R. Hansen Collection.
From the Kevin Ward Personal Collection
Original Price $3850

Minimum Opening Bid - $2000
Minimum Increment - $50
No Maximum Increment

Fine terminated crystals of Malachite incl. Barite on Malachite covered matrix!
From Shangulowe, Katanga Province, Congo.
Measures 7 cm by 8.3 cm in size.
Original Price $985

Minimum Opening Bid - $450
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

Fine specimen featuring Native Copper wires on Prehnite and Quartz!
Native Copper wire specimens from Michigan are anything but common and I acquire
every specimen I see. I found two while in Tucson and both are available here in this update.
From the Osceola Mine, Lake Superior Copper District, Houghton County, Michigan.
Measures 4 cm by 4.4 cm in size.
Original Price $285

Minimum Opening Bid - $145
Minimum Increment - $10
No Maximum Increment

Rainbow colored Boulder Opal!
Well above average specimen of Precious Opal on Ironstone matrix! The color is vivid
and flashes bold streaks of red (the most desired), blue, green, yellow, orange, and even
violet! I don't find many Opals with this much color and even less with this much red.
From Quilpie, Queensland, Australia.
Measures 5.4 cm by 3.5 cm in size.
Original Price $585

Minimum Opening Bid - $285
Minimum Increment - $15
No Maximum Increment

Gorgeous specimen of blue Hemimorphite on matrix!
This has got to be one of the prettiest blues I've seen in a mineral specimen!
From the Wenshan Mine, Yunnan Province of China.
Measures 5.5 cm by 3.8 cm in size.
Original Price $285

Minimum Opening Bid - $145
Minimum Increment - $10
No Maximum Increment

Possibly the FINEST Proustite to yet appear from Morocco!
Proustite from Morocco usually appears as small, isolated crystals with decent red
color on matrix. I've never seen anything that comes close to the size and color of
these large clusters! The specimen is fairly heavy with large crystal balls of Proustite all
over the matrix - both front and back. One day there may be better specimens found
but right now, this is one of the finest you'll see anywhere. That I can guarantee you.
From the Imiter Mine, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco.
Measures 8.8 cm by 7.2 cm by 5.3 cm in size.
Kevin Ward Personal Silver Collection
Original Price $12,500

Minimum Opening Bid - $6500
Minimum Increment - $100
No Maximum Increment

Brilliant orange Scheelite crystal nestled between Muscovite and clear Fluorite!
The Scheelite is very lustrous and has a great inner glow. The Fluorite crystals
are incomplete along the trim line but still add a nice contrast to the bright orange.
From Ping Wu, Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province of China.
Measures 6.2 cm by 6 cm with a 3.5 cm Scheelite.
Ex. Ferris Mineral Collection
Original Price $985

Minimum Opening Bid - $550
Minimum Increment - $20
No Maximum Increment

Climbing tabs of gemmy Forsterite var. Peridot with a Magnetite crystals!
Very attractive crystal display with full terminations. The Magnetite is especially sharp!
From Soppat, Kohistan District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan.
Measures 3.7 cm by 4.3 cm in size.
Original Price $750

Minimum Opening Bid - $400
Minimum Increment - $20
No Maximum Increment

SUPERB! One of the finest specimen of Linarite CRYSTALS I've seen!
These very sharp and complete, translucent blue crystals are actually freestanding on matrix!
This specimen is small miniature in size but could be trimmed to fit in a thumbnail collection
if desired. The crystals are large, measuring up to 1 cm in size with full terminations. I sold this
specimen some years ago and have it back again. I'm very pleased to reoffer it on the website.
Measures 3.5 cm by 3 cm in total size.
From the Grand Reef Mine in Graham County, Arizona.
Ex. Ferris Mineral Collection
Original Price $3500

Minimum Opening Bid - $2250
Minimum Increment - $50
No Maximum Increment

Gorgeous specimen featuring gemmy Rubellite nestled between Lepidolite and Cleavelandite!
Rubellite is one of my favorite varieties of Tourmaline (Indicolite being the other) and Jonas
Rubellites are among the best in the world! This specimen has over a half dozen terminated
Rubellite crystals covering both the front and back. The color is a rich cranberry-red and
the contrast between the slightly lavender Lepidolite and white Cleavelandite is stunning.
From the Jonas Mine, Itatiaia District, Conselheiro Peno, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 7 cm by 6.6 cm by 4.8 cm in size.
Ex. Ferris Mineral Collection
Original Price $5500

Minimum Opening Bid - $3500
Minimum Increment - $50
No Maximum Increment