The Tucson Show 2013 Mineral Rooms

Re-Updated August 11th, 2014

MIN#Tucson2013-61 New!

BRILLIANT specimen of Native Gold perched atop Hematite colored Quartz matrix!
This is one luscious specimen of Australian Native Gold! The surfaces are gleeming with luster
and the color of the Gold indicates a very high purity. The specimen itself is a Gold epimorph in that
it displays the shape and angles of its former matrix in a way that makes it appear crystalline. The
matrix was probably a mix of iron mineral and Quartz and the remaining Quartz matrix below the
Gold has preserved the original color of the Hematite. You could probably turn the Quartz white
by cleaning it but that would take away from the specimen's characture and it definately has a lot
of character. I've been told that there are over 5 ounces of yellow metal in this specimen. This is
a rare piece and the Gold weight is just an added bonus. Most of these do not appear on matrix.
From the Idaho Pit, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, Australia.
Measures 8.5 cm by 4.4 cm by 5.3 cm in total size.
Ex. Robert Nobel Mineral Collection
Price $24,500

MIN#Tucson2013-62 New!

Lustrous, blocky crystals of Azurite sitting beside a larger Malachite ps after Azurite!
Dating back to the early 1900's, this specimen is not only aesthetic but it is also completely
undamaged with no contacts on any of the major crystals. The large Malachite ps measures
almost 3 cm in size and contrasts perfectly in terms of form and texture with the Azurite xls.
From Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona.
Measures 6.6 cm by 7.5 cm by 6.7 cm in total size.
Ex. Gerald Clark Mineral Collection
Price $1850

MIN#Tucson2013-64 Sold!

Fine specimen of golden Pyrite with Quartz points!
This is one great looking miniature! The Pyrite is complete on all sides with superb
striation and brilliant, reflective surfaces. There's a small crack on the lower left side
which is typical for the locale and reheals itself on the back side. The Pyrite crystal is
surrounded by several terminated Quartz points which create the perfect backdrop.
From the Spruce Ridge Claim, Goldmyer Hot Springs, King County, Washington.
Measures 5 cm by 5.7 cm by 4.3 cm in total size.
Price $895

MIN#Tucson2013-66 New!

Lustrous crystals of Hematite ps after Magnetite with Hematite!
I've seen dozens, if not hundreds of these pseudomorphs over the years but none of them
compared to the aesthetic appearance of this fine specimen. The crystals of are various shapes
and sizes, with the largest elongated crystal at the top measuring 4.5 cm in length! Other crystals
are pure octahedron but all have pyramidal terminations. The crystal faces are extremely lustrous
and bright with the only exception being the reddish-brown Hematite crystals which add great contrast.
From the Payún Volcano, Altiplano de Payún Matru, Mendoza, Argentina.
Measures 5.7 cm by 4.6 cm by 3.2 cm in total size.
Price $985

MIN#Tucson2013-67 New!

Beautiful large cabinet of slightly Smoky Quartz crystals in cluster on matrix!
A wonderful Quartz specimen with no damage, only a few reheals, and numerous internal
phantoms. There are also inclusions in many of the crystals consisting of shiny Mica flakes
and needle-like Schorl! I don't see much material from this locality at the shows and large
plates like this one are almost unheard of. This piece would make an excellent centerpiece.
From the PC Mine, Cataract District, Jefferson County, Montana.
Measures 18.4 cm by 15.5 cm by 10.2 cm in total size.
Ex. Kevin Ward Mineral Collection
Price $2500

MIN#Tucson2013-68 New!

Superb specimen featuring a blue drusy of Azurite over Amethyst points with Azurite crystals!
One of the best miniatures of this material that I've seen in years, this specimen is only lacking
a few points! All the remaining Amethysts are perfectly terminated. The Azurite coating is a
lighter blue drusy but dark blue Azurite crystals are scattered atop the backside Quartz faces.
From Sierra Rica, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Measures 5.3 cm by 7.4 cm by 4.5 cm in total size.
Price $985

MIN#Tucson2013-70 New!

Beautiful specimen featuring honey-colored Barite crystals with Calcites!
These appeared several years ago in Tucson and I was very happy to acquire this specimen
for the updates. The crystals are gemmy to translucent with glassy faces and a color which
glows under lighting. They are well terminated with only minor contacts and one incomplete
crystal on the backside out of view. The Calcite crystals are complete with a satiny luster.
From the Muscadroxius-Genna Tres Montis Mine, Silius, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy.
Measures 8 cm by 6.6 cm by 5.9 cm in total size.
Price $1450

MIN#Tucson2013-72 New!

Aesthetic specimen of Axinite (Fe) blades with Adularia crystals and Byssolite on matrix!
This specimen of Ferro-Axinite is one of the finest from the entire show. The smoky-brown Axinite
crystals are razor-sharp with glassy faces and gemmy to transclucent interiors. The crystals are in
top form with almost no contacts and measure to 3.2 cm in size! This locality is widely considered to
be the best in the world and this specimen came out in the mid 1980's to early 1990's. Plates of this
calibre with complete, isolate crystals were not common and are even rarer today. The addition of
terminated Adularia crystals and fibrous Byssolite make for an even more interesting specimen.
From Puiva Mount, Tyumenskaya Oblast', Prepolar Ural, Western-Siberian Region, Russia.
Measures 7.5 cm by 8 cm by 7 cm in total size.
Ex. Webb Mineral Collection
Price $4500

MIN#Tucson2013-73 New!

Rare specimen of Acanthite crystals with Proustite on matrix!
This specimen is loaded with lustrous Acanthites and ruby-red Proustite crystals. I can't recall
seeing such a rich concentration on a single matrix before from Germany. The Acanthites are
sharp and raised up from the matrix. The largest triangular crystal in the close up photo measures
.7 cm in size. These crystals are surrounded by red Proustites and some are even partially covered
by them. The Proustites vary in size from a few mms to .5 cm. Overall the specimen is in excellent
shape with complete crystals and good aesthetics. A few of the Proustites are contacted but this is
pretty normal for Proustite specimens and it doesn't detract. You'd need a loupe to see the contacts.
From Shaft #186, Schlema, Schlema-Hartenstein District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany.
Measures 5.2 cm by 5.4 cm by 2.2 cm in total size.
Ex. Wendel Mineral Collection
Price $3500

MIN#Tucson2013-76 New!

Elegant specimen featuring a large blackjack Sphalerite sitting atop Chert with Chalcopyrite!
This is the third of a set of three Tri-State specimens that were acquired in a collection and this
was the Sphalerite piece in the group. The Sphalerite crystal at the very top measures 4.2 cm in size
and is as pristine a crystal as you will ever find. It sits atop a matrix of Chert covered by lustrous
crystals of Chalcopyrite with smaller Sphalerites and Dolomite. A ridge of golden Chalopyrite and
Dolomite frames the large Sphalerite crystal on the backside. This is easily one of the most aesthetic
Tri-State specimens I've seen. All three specimens in the collection were top quality and attractive.
From the Ballard Mine, Baxter Springs, Picher Field, Cherokee County, Kansas.
Measures 13.4 cm by 10 cm by 7.4 cm in total size.
Ex. Jim Grandy Mineral Collection
Price $2500

MIN#Tucson2013-78 New!

Excellent cabinet sized plate of Amphibole Group var. Uralite crystals ps after Diopside crystals!
This specimen is referred to as Uralite but it is actually Actinolite pseudomorphing crystals of Diopside.
These olive-green crystals measure to nearly 3 cm in size and are found completely surrounded by white
Calcite. This is etched away to expose the fine crystals within. A small amount of remaining Calcite can be
seen along the lower right edge. Uralite specimens like this one are true classics from a world famous mine!
From the Calumet Mine, Turret District, Chaffee County, Colorado.
Measures 9.7 cm by 12.3 cm by 8 cm in total size.
Price $1500

MIN#Tucson2013-79 New!

Impressive specimen of Ram's Horn Selenite on Calcite matrix!
This is a classic old timer from the Copper mines in Bisbee, Arizona. I was taken by the piece
when I discovered it in Tucson and thought at first that it was Moroccan. The fact that it's from
Bisbee makes it many times better and much more desirable. There are actually several curling
Ram's Horns here but the main one that is the center of attention measures 7 cm in size! It's
in perfect, pristine condition and is firmly attached to the Selenite-Calcite matrix base it rises
from. This specimen was once part of a pocket which opened up wide enough to allow for the
Selenite to grow. It's fascinating to think about the earth processes which created such a beauty.
From Bisbee, Warren District, Mule Mts, Cochise County, Arizona.
Measures 18 cm by 18.5 cm by 10 cm in total size.
Price $4500

MIN#Tucson2013-80 New!

Unique specimen of Golden Fluorite cubes with Calcite crystals and botryoidal Barite!
A great looking plate which is not only in excellent condition, but also has rounded balls
of white Barite that grew in between and atop the Fluorite cubes. I don't recall seeing
another specimen of this variety from the Minerva #1. Usually the Barite is completely
etched away but the forces of nature chose to perserve it on this specimen. Small yellow
Calcite crystal clusters accent the surfaces here and there. Many are doubly terminated.
From the Minerva #1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois.
Measures 13 cm by 19 cm by 8.8 cm in total size.
Ex. Ordway Mineral Collection
Price $4500

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