The Tucson Show 2011 Mineral Rooms!

Updated March 22, 2011

MIN#Tucson2011-41 Sold!

Gorgeous specimen of precious Topaz in hard Calcite matrix!
This is a Katlang Topaz and the crystal it pure gem and exhibits a rich orange with just a hint of pink!
The crystal faces are glassy smooth and the interior is as clear as you will ever see in a Katlang Topaz.
The termination is also textbook perfect with can be difficult to find since these specimens form in hard matrix.
The Topaz measures about 2.6 cm or right at 1 inch in size! I only saw one better Katlang at the show this year.
From Katlang, Mardan District, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan.
Measures 4.8 cm by 5 cm by 4.3 cm in total size.
P.O.R.

MIN#Tucson2011-42 New!

Richly covered specimen featuring light blue Topaz crystals with Smoky Quartz on matrix!
Covered from top to bottom with Topaz, this is one of the finest Russian Topaz specimens
I've seen in quite some time. The largest crystal at top measures 3 cm in length and is
doubly terminated! Dozens of other Topaz crystals cover the gaps between the dark smoky
Quartz crystals. Some light orangish coloration, probably from Hematite, is also present.
From Sherlovaya Gora, Adun-Cholon Range, Nerchinsk Gem Mines, Chitinskaya Oblast, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia.
Measures 8.4 cm by 6.8 cm in size.
Price $2500

MIN#Tucson2011-43 New!

Dazzling botryoidal surfaces of baby-blue Smithsonite on matrix!
If you're looking for a miniature sized specimen of Kelly Mine Smithsonite with
super lustrous and pristine blue surfaces, then this is your lucky day! This is easily
one of the best miniatures I've seen from this locale and the rolling luster is unreal!
From the Kelly Mine, Magdalena District, Socorro County, New Mexico.
Measures 5.6 cm by 4.4 cm by 3.2 cm in total size.
Price $2450

MIN#Tucson2011-44 New!

Fine, terminated crystals of Beryl var. Emerald on Schistic matrix!
The size of these Emerald crystals is very impressive considering that the specimen is from Afghanistan
and not Russia. Both crystals are fully terminated with flat terminations and have better than average color
with good translucency. They make a well matched pair of crystals and display only a slight matrix influence.
Measures 6.2 cm by 4.6 cm with Emerald crystals measuring 2.6 cm and 2.5 cm in size.
From Gamitha, Laghman Province, Afghanistan.
Price $1850

MIN#Tucson2011-46 New!

Translucent blade of Rhodonite in Feldspar matrix!
A sharp red crystal of Rhodonite measuring some 2.1 cm in size and exhibiting extremely sharp
form with glassy front and side faces. The top portion is angled and could be a matrix influenced
termination or a very straight cleave. I believe it to be the former and not the latter due to the
smoothness on the crystal edge. Matrix Rhodonites are very rare from this locale and this one
has all the qualities collectors look for. The color is good and there is gemminess near the bottom.
From Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 6.5 cm by 5.3 cm by 5.2 cm in total size.
Price $2500

MIN#Tucson2011-48 Sold!

Artistic looking specimen of Golden Calcite on Calcite accented Fluorite with Barite clusters!
Truely a specimen that has close to everything, this Illinois combo could grace the cover of a
publication. The Calcite is perfectly terminated and glassy smooth. It is also quite gemmy!
The Barite crystal clusters are pearly white and lustrous as they form beautiful rosettes atop
the Sparkling Calcite. Beneath it all are attached crystals of purple Fluorite which are irregular
in form only due to their incomplete growth and the hundreds of crystal faces on the backside.
From the Ozark-Mahoning #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Hardin County, Illinois.
Measures 9 cm by 5 cm by 4.6 cm in total size.
Ex. Steven Kay Mineral Collection
Price $1250

MIN#Tucson2011-49 Sold!

RARE!!! Native Gold patches atop matrix from Chile!
This is one of the finest specimens from this locality that I've ever seen and I'm told it is exceptional
by those in the know. The Native Gold patches or "drips" cover nearly the entire surface of this
unusually large plate (most specimens from this mine are thumbnail sized) and the color is bright
yellow indicated a high purity. They measure up to 6 mm (which is huge!) and average 2 mm - 4 cm.
From the El Guanaco Mine, Santa Catalina, Antofagasta Province, Chile.
Measures 6.9 cm by 5.8 cm in size.
Price $1850

MIN#Tucson2011-50 New!

Deep orange crystals of Scheelite set among Quartz points on matrix!
A very glassy series of Scheelites that reminds one of what you'd see in a fine specimen
from China - only this specimen is from Pakistan! I don't come across very many Pakistani
Scheelites and certainly very few of this calibre. There are over a dozen Scheelite crystals
scattered among the Quartz points, with the largest measuring 2.2 cm in size. Most average
around 1 - 1.5 cm in size. In excellent condition with only a tiny bump on the largest Quartz.
From the Gharmung Area, Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measures 6.7 cm by 5.7 cm by 4.2 cm in size.
Price $2450

MIN#Tucson2011-51 New!

Elongated crystals of Vesuvianite and Manganvesuvianite!
Impressive cluster of yellows and pinks, with crystals ranging from 1.3 cm to 1.5 cm in size!
Many of the largest crystals stand upright but there are also crystals laying horizontally.
In excellent condition overall with perfect terminations atop the main crystals.
From the Jeffrey Quarry, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada.
Measures 3.2 cm by 3.4 cm in size.
Price $685

MIN#Tucson2011-52 New!

Glassy crystal of light blue Topaz perched atop Lepidolite crystal books!
This is a brilliant, gemmy Topaz crystal which exhibits a super sharp termination and perfect
form. The color is just north of light blue and the bottom side terminates into the Lepidolite.
From the 1969 find at Virgem da Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Measures 4 cm by 2.5 cm by 4.3 cm in total size.
Price $1850

MIN#Tucson2011-53 Sold!

Rosy-pink crystals of Cobaltian Smithsonite on matrix!
Dozens if not hundreds of crystals and crystal faces create a flashy display of light
and color. In very good condition overall with only some very minor contacting along the
trim line and bottom seam. I might add that despite the deep coloration, the Smithsonite is
still quite tranparent right down to the matrix. The crystals are not huge but they are distinct.
From the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia, SW Africa.
Measures 6.2 cm by 10.1 cm by 7.3 cm in total size.
Price $1500

MIN#Tucson2011-54 New!

Stunning specimen featuring a blue-capped Tourmaline snug amound blades of Albite!
A gorgeous Elbaite specimen with at least half a dozen multi-colored crystals. The largest
crystal not only has a blue cap at its top termination, but it's also pink tipped at the botom
termination. I don't think I've ever seen this before in a Tourmaline. The center portion of
the crystal ranges from dark green to yellowish-green and both terminations are complete
with glassy, striated faces extending 8 cm in length! Smaller pink tipped Tourmalines are
present at the very top and range from 3 to 4.5 cm in size. All have complete terminations.
From Stak Nala, Skardu, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Measurss 14.8 cm by 5.3 cm by 5.2 cm in total size.
Comes with a custom made, engraved stand
Price $7500

MIN#Tucson2011-55 New!

Gorgeous specimen featuring large Hessonite Garnets perched atop Albite!
The pristine Hessonite at top measures 1.3 cm in size and is surrounded on both sides
by additional gemmy Garnets in various sizes. Albite crystals cover the majority of the
matrix beneath. On the backside on this specimen, there is a complete coverage of
Hessonite Garnets! This is truely a specimen that could be displayed from either side.
From the Jeffrey Quarry, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada.
Measures 3.4 cm by 3.7 cm in size.
Price $1250

MIN#Tucson2011-56 New!

Exceptional specimen of Tri-State Calcite crystals on Chert matrix!
A gorgeous Calcite specimen displaying a rich golden color and a good amount of gemminess,
especially at the tips! This specimen gave me a few good laughs at the show because so many
people commented on it and called it "the Elmwood Calcite specimen". They were shocked
when I explained that the specimen was actually from Picher, Oklahoma (which no longer
exists as of last month now that the government has begun to dismantle the entire town as
part of their superfund cleanup). The top crystal actually consists of two adjoined Calcites,
both featuring perfect terminations and measuring nearly 14 cm in height! The horizontal
Calcite laying beneath the main crystal measures 11.4 cm in size and is doubly terminated!
It's complete and in excellent condition save for a slight bump on the right side tip. Honestly,
Tri-State specimens of this quality are few and far between and with the disappearance of
Picher, the prices can only go higher in the years to come. The specimen is nearly large cab!
From the Tri-State Mining District, Picher, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.
Measures 21 cm by 14.3 cm by 8.3 cm in total size.
Price $4500

MIN#Tucson2011-57 New!

Gemmy crystals of reddish-orange Spessartine Garnet on Mica and Quartz!
A beautiful specimen which has at least a dozen of these colorful jewels, all undamaged and
displaying reflective, glassy faces. The Mica is slightly green and contrasts well with the Garnets.
From Untersulzbachtal, Hohe Tauern Mountains, Salzburg, Austria.
Measures 3.7 cm by 4.8 cm in size.
Ex. F. J. Barlow Mineral Collection
Price $385

MIN#Tucson2011-59 New!

SILVER ICE CRYSTALS!!
Actually these are Native Silver dendrites atop matrix but they look like ice crystals!
This is a most unusual specimen and I haven't seen anything else like it from Morocco. The dendrites
lay completely flat atop the matrix surface and almost take on the appearance of what you would see
in a Sylvanite specimen. The process of formation is the reason and apparently there was a thin crack
or seam in the matrix which was just wide enough to allow the Silver-rich solution to penetrate and grow
crystals. When they did grow, they grew in a sideways fashion instead of up and out as most Silvers
do and as a result, the crystals formed a flattened dendrite and created this very unique specimen!
From the Bou-Azzer Mine, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco.
Measures 10.4 cm by 8.8 cm in size.
Price $1250

MIN#Tucson2011-60 New!

Sparkling cluster of Citrine drusy covered Danburite crystals!
These attractive combo pieces appeared about four or five years ago and have always been
one of my favorites. The orange Citrine color is very rich and the drusy covered the entire surface of
the Danburite crystals but preserved the very recognizable crystal habit and the three terminations.
From San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Mexico.
Measures 8 cm by 5.9 cm in size.
Price $485

MIN#Tucson2011-60b Sold!

Large gemmy tabular Aquamarine crystals set among a forest of Muscovite!
A truely stunning specimen featuring a 7.4 cm Aquamarine at top and several smaller Aquas
in the foreground. The crystals are all pristine and super glassy with better than average color.
I think the presentation speaks for itself and I consider this one of the more aesthetic Aqua
specimens I saw at the Tucson show and easily one of the finest Chinese Aquamarines.
From Mt. Xuebaoding, Sichuan Province of China.
Measures 9 cm by 12.4 cm by 13.3 cm in total size.
Price $4500

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