The Denver Show 2009 Mineral Rooms!
* Updated October 16th, 2009 *

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-101 SOLD!

EXCEPTIONAL!!! Tremendous Golden Topaz crystal with Muscovite on Albite matrix!
I can't stop staring at this specimen! It's the finest, largest, and deepest colored Golden
Topaz I've seen in years ON MATRIX!! Every now and then I see fine examples of
Golden Topaz off matrix but matrix specimens with deep, rich color have become nearly
impossible to find in today's market. The only specimens that appear every now and then
are all from older collections, as this piece was when I purchased it. It was actually a superb
large crystal of deep color on a much larger plate of dull, broken Topaz crystals. I had the
piece professionally cleaned and trimmed and ended up with this gemmy masterpiece.
The Topaz itself measures 3.7 cm tall by 4.8 cm wide by 4 cm in depth. It's as gemmy as it
is rich in color, with glassy, reflective crystal faces! There's also a beautiful rainbow inside
the crystal when you look downward from the top. This is caused by light reflecting off the
internal crazing. The equally golden Muscovite blades provide the perfect background!
From Nyet-Bruk, Braldu Valley, Skardu District, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 5.5 cm by 11 cm by 7 cm in total size.
Ex. H. Obodda, Marvin D. Rausch Mineral Collections
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Price $14,500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-102 NEW!

Gorgeous cluster of blue Aquamarine with Schorl Tourmaline and Quartz!
Part of a new find in the Erongo Mountain Region which consisted of large Aquamarines
and glossy black Schorls. The Smoky Quartz and Albite association is an added bonus!
The center Aquamarine is doubly terminated and measures 4.7 cm in total length.
From the Erongo Mountains, Karibib District, Namibia.
Measures 7.8 cm by 7.2 cm in size.
Price $3500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-103 NEW!

EXCEPTIONAL PLATE OF CLASSIC RHODOCHROSITE!
The above specimen is a Climax Mine Rhodochrosite on Quartz point matrix!
Anyone who knows Rhodos knows just how incredibly difficult it is to find a good Climax
Rhodochrosite. Occasionally I see incomplete rhombs without matrix or even rarer - a partial or
coated rhomb on matrix. But the holy grail for Rhodo collectors is a good sized plate of Quartz
crystals with large, complete, deeply colored (and uncoated) rhombs and it took me over twelve
years to find a specimen that met every one of those qualities. Quite frankly, I haven't seen
or owned a better specimen from the Climax Mine! This specimen is so good that it could
be confused for a Sweet Home or even Pasto Bueno Rhodo but it is 100% Climax which
makes it so much rarer and all the more special. It's also in excellent condition with only
a scattering of incomplete Quartz points to speak of and they definately don't detract!
Atop some of the points is a slight coating of Calcite which leads to the gorgeous rhombs
of Rhodochrosite which are complete and glow a translucent cherry-red. They measure
4.6 cm, 2.6 cm, and several of 1 cm in size! I count at least a dozen rhombs of various sizes!
From the Ceresco Ridge Area of the Climax Mine, Fremont Pass, Lake County, Colorado.
Measures 8.9 cm by 11.3 cm in total size.
Ex. Gerstley Mineral Collection
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Comes with a custom made, labeled stand
Price $95,000

Photo by Joe Budd

Click on the image above for a much larger photograph!

MIN#Denver2009-104 NEW!

EXCEPTIONAL! Fine wires of Native Gold sitting atop Quartz crystals!
This is one of the most impressive Nevada Wire Golds to come to the market in years. The wires
are firm, not flimsy, and measure from 1 to nearly 4 cms in size! The matrix is covered with small
crystals of transparent Quartz points, many of which are clustered in small mounds. Specimens
of wire Gold from the Olinghouse Mine appeared about six years ago and this piece was cherry-
picked and held back in a private collection. I purchased it directly from the original owner.
From the Olinghouse District, Washoe County, Nevada.
Measures 7.8 cm by 10.2 cm in size.
Ex. Scott Kleine Mineral Collection
Price $8500

MIN#Denver2009-105 SOLD!

Transparent orange blades of Wulfenite with Mimetite!
Beautiful small miniature which is in excellent condition with virtually no damage!
From the San Francisco Mine, Cucurpe, Mun. de Cucurpe, Sonora, Mexico.
Measures 3.7 cm by 4.3 cm in size.
Price $385

MIN#Denver2009-106 NEW!

Large and very distinct crystals of bronze Pyrrhotite with golden Chalcopyrite!
Also with some Calcite crystals, this impressive combination piece boasts a 5.2 cm
Pyrrhotite crystal at top to go along with a 4.2 cm Chalcopyrite in the center! Actually,
the Chalcopyrite is complete surrounded by thick Pyrrhotite crystals on all sides!
From the Nikolaevskiy Mine, Nikolaevskoe Pb-Zn-Ag deposit, Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia.
Measures 7.4 cm by 9.5 cm by 6.5 cm in size.
Ex. Pilipenko, Star van Schriver, Edward David Mineral Collections
Price $4500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-107 SOLD!

GEM JONAS RUBELLITE!
Stunning cluster of Tourmaline var. Rubellite crystals from the Jonas Mine mixed with
Cleavelandite and Schorl! The cranberry color is incredibly vibrant and deep in coloration
from the smallest crystal to the largest crystal in the center. The upright Rubellite is perfectly
terminated and measures 6 cm in total length! Below this crystal I count at least four more
Rubellites, half of which are terminated and one which is doubly terminated. An extremely
rare opportunity to purchase a large miniature sized specimen from the Jonas Mine!
From the Jonas Mine, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 8.3 cm by 2.7 cm in size.
Ex. John Marshall Mineral Collection
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Price $12,500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-108 NEW!

EXCEPTIONAL CLASSIC!! Lustrous pyramidal crystal clusters of Acanthite with Native Silver wires!
An amazing combination featuring stacked Acanthite ps. after Argentite (Silver Sulfide) crystals with Native
Silver wires throughout! Obviously the Sulfur component was removed at some point during the development
of this specimen, allowing for the Native Silver growth. Specimens like this always amaze me. They are both
beautiful and extremely interesting in a geological as well as an historical sense. This specimen is a classic
rarity from a major Silver mining district which has faded into the past. Fortunately, great specimens survive
for all collectors to enjoy. I might point out that this specimen is very heavy and nearly solid Silver mineral!
From the Foster Mine, Glen Lake, Coleman Township, near Cobalt, Ontario, Canada.
Measures 8.4 cm by 7 cm by 7.8 cm in total size.
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Comes with a custom made, labeled stand
Price $9500

MIN#Denver2009-109 NEW!

Pretty crystals of reddish-purple (iridescent) Sphalerite on Fluorite!
Classic old timer with no damage and sharp, lustrous crystals. It must be a piece of some
history because it comes with an old handwritten German label from the 1800's. If you
have any information on the origin of this collection label, please e-mail. Thanks!
From the Callington Mining District, Cornwall, England.
Measures 3.6 cm by 4.3 cm in size.
Price $485

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-110 SOLD!

UNIQUE! Native Copper with Native Silver inside an Epidote laden matrix vug!
The crystals themselves are crudely crystalline but the uniqueness of the specimen is the
attraction here. How often do you see a Copper-Silver halfbreed emerging from a green vug?
The vug continues back behind the crystals for a good ways and actually opens on the opposite side!
From the Copper Mining District in Keweenaw County, Michigan.
Measures 7.3 cm by 4.8 cm in size.
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Price $2500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-111 NEW!

VERY RARE!! Amazing combination of Morganite with Pollucite and Tourmaline!
I can count the number of large Beryl-Pollucite pieces I've seen in the past decade on one hand.
I can't recall ever seeing another Morganite-Pollucite specimen, especially one with green
Tourmaline! This amazing specimen also contains Smoky Quartz, Lepidolite, and Cleavelandite,
which I might add has a bluish tint to the otherwise colorless blades. There is practically no
damage here and the crystals are complete and well formed. The Pollucite measures 6.5 cm in
size while the 4.1 cm Morganite is a pastel orangy-pink. A very rare cabinet sized specimen!
From Paprok, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.
Measures 12 cm by 12 cm by 6.7 cm in size.
Price $8500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-112 NEW!

The "Copper Scorpion"!
Elongated crystals of Native Copper created this unique form that really does look like
a scorpion - tail, pinchers, and all! I purchased this specimen the second I saw it because the
animal resemblance was so obvious. The crystals are sharp with lustrous faces - a pretty
luster mixed with reddish-brown patina! They lay atop a matrix of rock and white Calcite.
From the Cliff Mine, Phoenix, Keweenaw County, Michigan.
Measures 5.8 cm by 6.8 cm in size.
Price $2500

MIN#Denver2009-113 NEW!

Beautiful cabinet plate of patterned bluish-green Smithsonite!
I love the look of this specimen! The color is a wonderful sea-green and the patterning in
the lower right corner really gives the specimen some character! There's also a very nice
variance from darker hues to lighter hues along the Smithsonite surfaces. The surface
is what a painter would call "eggshell" with a slight luster over a delicate texture. This
is easily one of the best large plates I've seen from the Kelly Mine in recent years.
From the Kelly Mine, Magdalena District, Socorro County, New Mexico.
Measures 12 cm by 15.3 cm in size.
Ex. Revelle Mineral Collection
Price $4500

MIN#Denver2009-114 NEW!

Glassy, doubly terminated Golden Calcite sitting atop colorless Calcite crystals!
A beautiful twinned crystal with no damage and gemmy portions near the outer tips!
From a locality near Big Sky, Gallatin County, Montana.
Measures 6.5 cm by 11.8 cm tip to tip!
Price $385

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-115 NEW!

Aesthetic combination featuring Epidote blades perched across Adularia crystals!
Stunningly beautiful with great form and sharp looking crystals, this is a wonderful
miniature sized specimen! The Epidotes are doubly terminated and the Adularia xls
are pristine with complete terminations as well. A green accenting of Chlorite coats
the front side faces which are quite glassy and pearl-like. One of the best I've seen!
From the Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 5.8 cm by 3.8 cm in size.
Price $950

MIN#Denver2009-116 NEW!

Attractive cluster of doubly terminated Brazilianite crystals on Albite!
I count six complete gem crystals climbing upwards on the Albite! Beautiful with
better than average tranparency and lots of pizzazz for the price in my opinion!
From Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 8 cm by 3 cm in size.
Price $895

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-117 NEW!

Perfect crystals of Andradite Garnet sitting atop Hedenbergite sprays!
Aesthetic miniature with great form and presentation. No damage to speak of and
the larger reddish-brown Garnets are accented by smaller Garnets at the edges.
From Serifos Island, Kykládes Prefecture, Aegean Islands Department, Greece.
Measures 3.5 cm by 2.8 cm in size.
Ex. Martin Zinn Mineral Collection
Price $850

MIN#Denver2009-118 NEW!

Fine, isolated crystal of green Fluorite atop Quartz covered matrix!
I don't see many specimens from the Felix Mine anymore and I love the way
the largest Fluorite sits atop the matrix. The crystal is translucent and complete!
From the Felix Mine, Azusa, Los Angeles County, California.
Measures 5.1 cm by 5.2 cm in size.
Price $350

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-119 SOLD!

EXCEPTIONAL!! Aesthetic specimen featuring a large Manganoan Calcite sitting next to a Sphalerite crystal!
What a great looking specimen - And from a classic locality too! This specimen is actually from Naica and
is circa 1960's. It's the only Manganoan Calcite specimen I've owned from this locality so I must assume
that most examples are locked away in private collections. Occasionally they pop up in small miniature
size and smaller but this is a full cabinet sized specimen. The Calcite rhomb at top actually measures
6 cm in width! It sits next to a perfect, glassy crystal of Sphalerite which is sizeable itself at 3 cm!
Both sit atop a matrix covered by smaller Manganoan Calcite crystals. A very rare opportunity indeed!
From the Gibralter Mine (home to the"Cave of Swords"), Naica, Mun. de Saucillo, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Measures 8.5 cm by 12.4 cm by 6 cm in size.
Currently in the Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Price $4500

Photo by Joe Budd

MIN#Denver2009-120 SOLD!

Fine crystals of olive-green Epidote on Byssolite from Austria!
One of the better finds in the show, this specimen is covered with glossy green Epidote crystals,
some of which lay horizontally while others stand upright with terminations! I originally found
this specimen in an older collection that came to market and had it trimmed to remove the
edge contacts. The result was what you see - a beautiful cabinet specimen from a prized locality!
There are a few incomplete terminations but they do not detract from the specimen.
From Knappenwand, Untersulzbach Valley, Hohe Tauern Mts., Salzburg, Austria.
Measures 8 cm by 9.4 cm by 5.4 cm in size.
Ex. Marvin Rausch Mineral Collection
Price $2850

MIN#Denver2009-120b NEW!

Cute specimen featuring lustrous Galenas with purple Fluorite cubes!
From Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois.
Measures 4 cm by 4.8 cm in size.
Price $185

MIN#Denver2009-120c NEW!

Beautiful green Fluorite octahedron perched atop Calcite and needle Quartz!
Impressive specimen with good color and a wonderful Quartz spray to the right of the Fluorite.
From Huanzala, Dos de Mayo Province, Huanuco Department, Peru.
Measures 8.3 cm by 9 cm in total size.
Ex. Revelle Mineral Collection
Comes with a custom made, labeled base
Price $1500

FOR ADDITIONAL NEW SPECIMENS, GO TO Denver 2009 Room 7 !

Rhodochrosite Room | Gold Room | Silver Room | Beryl Room | Elmwood Room | Exceptional Minerals