The Tucson Show 2009 Mineral Rooms!
Re-Updated April 22nd, 2010
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MIN#Tucson2009-81 Sold!
Beautiful bi-color Fluorite cluster with
Chalcopyrite!
This color glows a gorgeous combination of golden-yellow and violet-purple!
From the Annabel Lee Mine, Harris Creek District, Hardin
County, Illinois.
Measures 8.5 cm by 9.4 cm in size.
Ex. Stephen Neely Collection
Price $785
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MIN#Tucson2009-82 NEW!
Aesthetic specimen of green Fluorite
crystals atop drusy matrix!
With pokerchip Calcite crystals on the backside and frosting underneath!
From Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia.
Measures 7.8 cm by 4.6 cm in size.
Price $685
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MIN#Tucson2009-83 NEW!
Fine wires of Native Gold with Pyrite atop
Quartz matrix!
This is an old specimen from an obscure locality. There is a Jamison Mine listed
in Arizona but I haven't been able to locate an Old Jamison Mine in California as of yet.
This specimen comes with an aged handwritten label from the Philadelphia Academy.
From the Old Jamison Mine, California.
Measures 5.4 cm by 4.1 cm in size.
Ex. Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences
Price $485
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MIN#Tucson2009-84 NEW!
Beautiful cluster of deep purple Quartz
var. Amethyst crystals!
From Mount Davidson, Comstock Lode, Storey County, Nevada.
Measures 8.5 cm by 7.8 cm in size.
Price $485
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MIN#Tucson2009-85 NEW!
Attractive cube of Fluorite (light
lavender-yellow) with Rubyjack xls and Dolomite on drusy!
This really is a dazzling specimen and the small reddish-brown Rubyjacks look like
Garnets!
From the Elmwood Mine, Smith County, Tennessee.
Measures 8.8 cm by 8.6 cm in size.
Price $485
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MIN#Tucson2009-86 NEW!
Deep red crystals of Realgar with Orpiment
perched atop a crystal of Sphalerite!
Very aesthetic specimen to say the least with complete and well terminated Realgar xls!
From the Palomo Mine, Julcani, Huancavelica Department, Peru.
Measures 4.4 cm by 4.1 cm in size.
Price $485
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MIN#Tucson2009-87 NEW!
Blue Fluorite cubes with lavender
accenting clustered between Barite blades!
From the Blanchard Mine, Bingham, Socorro County, New Mexico.
Measures 6 cm by 4.5 cm in size.
Price $385
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MIN#Tucson2009-88 NEW!
Sparkling specimen of Cadmium Smithsonite
over Quartz crystals!
From the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia, SW Africa.
Measures 5 cm by 8 cm in size.
Ex. Perry Mineral Collection
Price $485
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MIN#Tucson2009-89 NEW!
Sparkling specimen featuring fine needle
clusters of Bultfonteinite on matrix!
The surface is further highlighted by small, gemmy Calcites which add to the flash.
From the Wessels Mine, Hotazel, Northern Cape Province, South
Africa.
Measures 10 cm by 8.7 cm in size.
Ex. Charlie Key Collection
Price $450
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Photograph of the newly discovered Kebira Crater in the Sahara Desert. It measures 30 kilometers in diameter!
MIN#Tucson2009-91 NEW!
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!
Evidence has also been found indicating that prehistoric man made use of the glass in the
form
of spear tips and various tools. The glass is extraordinarily beautiful material and
displays
the small, thumb-like impressions (regmaglypts) which are common to meteorites. It is also
some of the purest natural silica glass ever discovered and much purer than tektite glass.
The glass frequently comes with small internal bubbles that include various elements. One
of
those elements is Iridium, the presence of which is indictative of an extra-terrestrial
origin.
Recently, the Egyptian government has prohibited the removal of the green impact glass
which has made the material very rare and difficult to obtain. I offer here four of the
finest
gem specimens I purchased as part of a small collection of meteorites while in Tucson.
From the Sahara Desert near the Libyan-Egyptian border.
Age estimated at 28.5 million years old.
Most likely from the recently discovered Kebira Crator.
Measures 6.7 cm by 4 cm by 3.2 cm in size and weighs 79.4 grams.
Price $845
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Rare! Iron-Nickel (IAB) meteorite from the
Campo del Cielo impact with a natural hole!
The small meteorite collection I purchased in Tucson had a number of these rare and
fascinating "Hole" meteorites! Usually these happen during the atmospheric burn
when
the heat actually burns through the meteoritic material but they can also happen if a
carbon nodule pops loose during weathering. Whatever the cause, meteorites with
natural holes are highly prized and very popular with collectors. Here's the third of
four!
Special Note: On January 1, 2008 Argentina implemented a new
law prohibiting the exportation
of meteorites. When the available supply on the market is exhausted, obtaining a specimen
will become extremely difficult. Now is the time to obtain a meteorite for your
collection.
From the Campo del Cielo impact at Formosa, Argentina -
discovered in 1576.
Age is approximately 4000 years old.
Measures 8.7 cm by 7 cm by 5.2 cm in size and weighs 523.6 grams.
Price $850
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|
Photograph of the newly discovered Kebira Crater in the Sahara Desert. It measures 30 kilometers in diameter!
MIN#Tucson2009-93 NEW!
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!
Evidence has also been found indicating that prehistoric man made use of the glass in the
form
of spear tips and various tools. The glass is extraordinarily beautiful material and
displays
the small, thumb-like impressions (regmaglypts) which are common to meteorites. It is also
some of the purest natural silica glass ever discovered and much purer than tektite glass.
The glass frequently comes with small internal bubbles that include various elements. One
of
those elements is Iridium, the presence of which is indictative of an extra-terrestrial
origin.
Recently, the Egyptian government has prohibited the removal of the green impact glass
which has made the material very rare and difficult to obtain. I offer here four of the
finest
gem specimens I purchased as part of a small collection of meteorites while in Tucson.
From the Sahara Desert near the Libyan-Egyptian border.
Age estimated at 28.5 million years old.
Most likely from the recently discovered Kebira Crator.
Measures 5.2 cm by 6.6 cm by 2.5 cm in size and weighs 76.4 grams.
Price $785
 |
Rare! Iron-Nickel (IAB) meteorite from the
Campo del Cielo impact with a natural hole!
The small meteorite collection I purchased in Tucson had a number of these rare and
fascinating "Hole" meteorites! Usually these happen during the atmospheric burn
when
the heat actually burns through the meteoritic material but they can also happen if a
carbon nodule pops loose during weathering. Whatever the cause, meteorites with
natural holes are highly prized and very popular with collectors. Here's the first of
four!
Special Note: On January 1, 2008 Argentina implemented a new
law prohibiting the exportation
of meteorites. When the available supply on the market is exhausted, obtaining a specimen
will become extremely difficult. Now is the time to obtain a meteorite for your
collection.
From the Campo del Cielo impact at Formosa, Argentina -
discovered in 1576.
Age is approximately 4000 years old.
Measures 6 cm by 5.5 cm by 6 cm in size and weighs 447.5 grams.
Price $850
 |
MIN#Tucson2009-95 SOLD!
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.
From the Sahara Desert near the Libyan-Egyptian border.
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.
Price $985
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Impressive meteorite from the
world famous Canyon Diablo impact!
Superb meteorite with excellent form and
aesthetics! Most Canyon Diablo specimens
don't do much for me but this one has well formed regmaglypts and two large impressions
on the front which most likely were Carbon nodules which either burned out or weathered
loose. Whatever the reason, the specimen certainly benefitted from the process and also
sits upright without the aid of a base or stand. Silver-grey surfaces with orange accents.
From the Canyon Diablo impact (Meteor Crater) near
Winslow, Arizona - discovered in 1891.
Weighs 1,450 grams.
Age is between 20,000 to 40,000 years old.
Measures 10.3 cm by 10 cm by 6 cm in size.
Price $2500
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Superbly crystallized specimen of
Native Copper with matrix!
This specimen is solid crystals! Small crystals,
elongated crystals, Spinels, etc.!
There must be close to a hundred crystals in this specimen with a few scattered bits
of matrix to add contrast. One of the more impressive Native Coppers in Tucson.
From the Ray Mine, Pinal County, Arizona.
Measures 7.4 cm by 7.2 cm in size.
Price $3500
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Golden crystals of Chalcopyrite on a
bed of Galena and Quartz!
Stunning Chalcopyrite specimen featuring crystals up
to 2.2 cm in size!
All are bright and golden with a brilliant luster and a good amount of relief above
the Galena matrix. The largest crystals near the center actually stand upright.
From the Borieva Mine, Madan Ore Field, Rhodope Mountains,
Bulgaria.
Measures 6.3 cm by 12.5 cm in size.
Ex. Edward David Mineral Collection
Price $1500
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MIN#Tucson2009-100 NEW!
Lustrous plate of botryoidal Hematite with
sparkling micro-crystals of Hematite in the center!
From Egremont, Cumberland, Cumbria, England.
Measures 9 cm by 12 cm in size.
Price $685
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