* Updated 3/3/2008 *
New Specimens from Tucson Show 2008!

MIN#TUCSON2008-121 SOLD!

EXCEPTIONAL GEM HESSONITE!!
This is simply the finest Grossular var. Hessonite Garnet specimen I've ever seen or owned
from the Jeffrey Quarry! A specimen of this caliber is found so rarely that I purchase them
the second I see them. Not only does this specimen have huge Hessonites (the largest is
nearly 2 cm in size!) but they are also incredibly gemmy and flashy with the deepest color
imaginable! The white background is perfect for bringing out the rich color and that's why
it's the best matrix one can find at the Jeffrey Quarry. The addition of the dark mineral
(small Muscovites?) adds even more contrast and draws the eye towards the white surface.
Great color with large, isolated gem crystals on a white matrix - This is truely a work of art!
From the Jeffrey Quarry, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada.
Measures 7.5 cm by 7.5 cm in size.
Comes with a custom made, labeled base.
From the Kevin Ward Personal Collection
Price $45,000

MIN#TUCSON2008-122 NEW!

WOW! A large doubly terminated Aquamarine crystal sitting atop Muscovite!
I think the photo speaks for itself but here are the particulars on this stunning
specimen. The Aquamarine is a deep hazy sky blue with super glassy surfaces
and perfect terminations at both ends. It measures 6.7 cm in length with two
smaller crystals attached to the backside which bring the total length to 7.5 cm.
The matrix ranges from large Muscovite on the backside to smaller, finer blades
of Muscovite on the front. Actually, the specimen could be displayed from either
side but this is the presentation that I prefer. I might also point out that the tips of
the Aqua are crystal-clear gem and can be seen through all the way to the matrix.
From Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 9 cm by 7.5 cm by 5.7 cm in size.
From the Kevin Ward Personal Collection
Price $9500

MIN#TUCSON2008-123 NEW!

Perfect crystal of Golden Calcite atop matrix!
This is one aesthetic Calcite specimen and the termination is flawless!
From the Pugh Quarry, near Custar, Wood County, Ohio.
Measures 7.4 cm by 7 cm in size.
Price $685

MIN#TUCSON2008-124 NEW!

Impressive specimen featuring THICK blades of iridescent Covellite on Pyrite matrix!
This is no flimsy specimen with fragile, paper thin blades. These Covellite blades range from
.2 to .8 cm in thickness! They also extend above the matrix around 5 cm on the right side.
While not perfect in every respect, this is the most impressive bladed Covellite I've seen in
quite some time and blades of this thickness are much rarer - especially when terminated!
From the Leonard Mine, Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana.
Measures 8.5 cm by 10.5 cm by 6.5 cm in size.
Price $3750

MIN#TUCSON2008-125 SOLD!

Red Quartz! Glassy cluster of Quartz crystals with Hematite inclusions!
From the Orange River, Namibia, SW Africa.
Measures 10.6 cm by 8 cm in size.
Price $485

MIN#TUCSON2008-126 NEW!

Green Fluorite with Amethystine Quartz!
This is probably the finest Orange River Fluorite specimen from the Key Collection.
It features several LARGE octahedral Fluorite crystals accented by a Quartz drusy
and I didn't see any others that even came close in terms and aesthetics and size.
From the Orange River, Northern Cape Province, South Africa.
Measures 10.5 cm by 8.5 cm with a 4.5 cm Fluorite crystal!
Ex. Charlie Key Collection
Price $4850

MIN#TUCSON2008-127 SOLD!

Very aesthetic combination of Fluorite accented Galena cubes on Sphalerite matrix!
I love the way the small Fluorite xls climb the Galenas. All four cubes are in excellent shape
and sit perfectly atop the center of the lustrous Sphalerite. Fluorite is also present at the edges.
From the Elmwood Mine, Smith County, Tennessee.
Measures 8.5 cm by 7 cm in size.
Ex. James B. Thompson Collection
Price $1250

MIN#TUCSON2008-128 NEW!

HEAVY semi-crystalline Gold Nugget!
With the price of Gold soaring, what could be more appropriate than a large Gold Nugget?
This is a very aesthetic nugget with lots of air and space near the center. This not only
makes the specimen more attractive than a solid, lumpy nugget, but it also allowed for
the growth of Gold crystals like the one just south of center in the above close-up photo.
The edges are larger, rounded crystals which nicely frame the more intricate center.
Gold nuggets are found out in the open field using a tractor to dig up the soil, followed by
miners with metal detectors. No doubt this nugget gave one heck of a signal when discovered.
From the fields near Wychitella, north of Wedderburn, Central Victoria, Australia.
Measures 11 cm by 7.5 cm by 4.5 cm in size. Weighs 27.5 ounces or 855.25 grams of 23k Gold.
From the Kevin Ward Personal Collection
Price $48,500
(Subject to change with the volatile price of Gold)

MIN#TUCSON2008-129 NEW!

WOW! Killer cabinet sized specimen of large Kyanite crystals in Quartz matrix!
The main crystal in the front is doubly terminated with excellent luster and a
beautifully consistant blue coloration. It measures nearly 19 cm in length and
4.5 cm in width! The vertical crystals in the back (right side) are also terminated
with Muscovite and Quartz draped over the top. They measure around 15 cm.
From São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region of Brazil.
Measures 19.4 cm by 14 cm by 5 cm in size.
Price $3500

MIN#TUCSON2008-130a NEW!

Beautiful cluster of raspberryish Spinel crystals on matrix!
The large Spinel on the right measures 4.3 cm in size and is surrounded by at
least a dozen smaller Spinels of at least 1 cm. The surfaces are glassy and flashy.
From the Sungate Mine, An Phu, Luc Yen, Yen Bai District, Vietnam.
Measures 7 cm by 7.3 cm in size.
Price $1450

MIN#TUCSON2008-130b NEW!

Aesthetic specimen of Spessartine Garnet with Quartz on Albite!
I love the way the Spessartine at top is partially tucked behind the Quartz termination.
From Haramosh, Skardu District, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 5.3 cm by 4.7 cm in size.
Price $585

MIN#TUCSON2008-130c NEW!

Cute cluster of Amethyst crystals perched atop Quartz crystals!
Unusual mix of Quartz varieties together on the same specimen from China!
From the Fengjiashan Wollastonite Mine, Daye, Hubei Province of China.
Measures 6 cm by 7.2 cm in size.
Price $385

MIN#TUCSON2008-131 NEW!

Floater specimen of light pink Morganite crystals!
The backside of this specimen is completely rehealed from a natural fracture
that happened millions of years ago. I see no points of reattachment anywhere.
From Rondu, Skardu, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 6 cm by 4 cm in size.
Price $645

MIN#TUCSON2008-132 NEW!

Rare locality specimen of Gypsum blades in cluster on matrix!
The blades have a reddish Hematite accenting near the base and tips.
From the Bristol Mine, Crystal Falls, Iron County, Michigan.
Measures 8 cm by 6.3 cm in size.
Ex. Minette Mineral Collection
Price $585

MIN#TUCSON2008-133 SOLD!

Rare specimen of Indicolite Tourmaline with a Topaz crystal on matrix!
This is one of those neat combination specimens that I love to find at the shows.
The reddish spot at the lower front of the Indicolite is probably Lepidolite.
From Paprok, Kunar Province of Afghanistan.
Measures 5.2 cm by 7 cm in size.
Price $2450

MIN#TUCSON2008-134 NEW!

Doubly terminated crystal of golden Spodumene!
From Kala, Darrah Pech, Kunar Province of Afghanistan.
Measures 12.8 cm by 3 cm in size.
Price $450

MIN#TUCSON2008-134b NEW!

And just in case you prefer matrix specimens....
Fine, terminated crystal of golden Spodumene emerging from a matrix of Albite and Muscovite!
This crystal has a slight bend as it rises 5 cm above the matrix. The rehealed lower portion
of the crystal is separated and visible just below the large Muscovite near the center.
From Kala, Darrah Pech, Kunar Province of Afghanistan.
Measures 10 cm by 6.5 cm in size.
Price $985

MIN#TUCSON2008-135 NEW!

Fine crystals of Cobaltoadamite clustered atop Goethite matrix!
Scarcer variety of Adamite - this specimen is an excellent example with rich color.
From the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico.
Measures 4.9 cm by 4.8 cm in size.
Ex. Kimball Goddard Collection
Price $985

MIN#TUCSON2008-136 NEW!

Collection purchase! Scarce specimen of deep green Fluorite on Quartz matrix!
I purchased only three of the rarer Fluorite on Quartz specimens while in Tucson. Wise Mine
Fluorite has become very scarce and quality specimens have all but disappeared from the market.
From the William Wise Mine, Westmoreland, New Hampshire.
Measures 10 cm by 11 cm in size.
Price $585

MIN#TUCSON2008-137 SOLD!

Sparkling balls of Quartz drusy coated Chrysocolla in matrix vugs!
From the Manto Tres Gracias Mine, Diego de Almagro, Chile.
Measures 7.7 cm by 8.2 cm in size.
Ex. Martin Zinn Collection
Price $585

MIN#TUCSON2008-138 SOLD!

Fine crystal of Beryl var. Morganite atop Albite with Quartz and green Tourmaline!
Very attractive combination specimen with a 4+ cm Morganite! The green Tourmaline
crystal near the bottom is partially included inside the Quartz. A smaller Quartz point
sits atop the Albite matrix just to the front of the Morganite. It is completely terminated.
From Mawi, Laghman Province, Afghanistan.
Measures 10 cm by 8.4 cm in size.
Price $1450

MIN#TUCSON2008-139 SOLD!

EXCEPTIONAL! Tremendous specimen of Dioptase crystals with Malachite!
I love the way the three glassy Dioptase crystals climb the matrix between the
Malachite sprays and Quartz. There appears to be a light coating of Chrysocolla
on the Quartz and this also extends to the bottom matrix. The Dioptase crystals
are perfectly terminated and damage free with the bottom crystal being partially
included by Chrysocolla. Malachite and Dioptase specimens are rare and this
the finest miniature that I've seen from this locality. Can't recall a better one.
From Otjikotu, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region of Namibia.
Measures 5.5 cm by 4.7 cm in size.
Ex. Charlie Key Collection
Price $2750

MIN#TUCSON2008-140 NEW!

EXCEPTIONAL! Large crystals of Native Gold on Quartz!
This specimen is incredible! The hoppered Gold crystal in the above photo measures
1.5 cm in size and sits atop a cluster of Gold crystals which rise 4 cm above the Quartz
matrix! The cluster also extends nearly 5 cm towards the back of the specimen. In the
close-up photo, you can see the internal structure of the main crystal. It appears to
be filled by a series of horizontal spinels with dodecahedrals around the periphery.
Specimens from the Mockingbird Mine have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars
recently at the shows. Here's a very fine specimen with a large crystal at a better price!
From the Mockingbird Mine, Mariposa County, California.
Measures 7.4 cm by 4.3 cm by 6 cm in size.
Price $25,000

FOR ADDITIONAL NEW SPECIMENS, GO TO Tucson 2008 Room 8 !

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