Mineral Specimens - page 15
Asia - Australia

TM47N6: Parallel growth of doubly terminated crystals very different than usual for the locality, resembling Alpine pieces. Thick and neatly transparent, they have a very intense luster and have unidentified inclusions.
Ganesh Himal, Dhading, Bagmati  Nepal (2008)

Specimen size: 10.3 × 6.5 × 4.7 cm = 4.1” × 2.6” × 1.9”

TA90N0: A novelty for Tucson 2009. Floater and doubly terminated crystal. It is translucent, bright and has an excellent, very deep, blue color. It is from a locality practically unknown until now.
Kanchanjung Region  Nepal (12/2008)

Specimen size: 5.3 × 3.2 × 2.4 cm = 2.1” × 1.3” × 0.9”

TA14N6: Crowded growth of Malachite crystals pseudomorphous after Azurite with minor Limonite fragments. The piece is from an Australian locality that is very rarely represented in worldwide collections.
Sir Dominic Mine, Yudnamutana  Australia (±1980)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.1 × 2.9 cm = 1.5” × 1.2” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.7 cm = 0.3” × 0.3”

FK27N4: Group of thin crystals of excellent color and luster, some of them with good terminations and on Limonite matrix. Some pictures of the sample are on different pages of the sheet 378 (March 2009) of the French magazine "Mineraux et Fossiles", in an article about Crocoite.
Adelaida Mine, Dundas, Tasmania  Australia (±1974)

Specimen size: 8.7 × 5.5 × 4.2 cm = 3.4” × 2.2” × 1.7”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 0.3 cm = 0.8” × 0.1”

TL69L1: Arborescent and laminar Gold growth, microcrystalline. On a Quartz matrix that gives the specimen an excellent contrast, really esthetic. Yellow gold color is very intense. Good quality sample for the locality.
Edwards Pit, "Golden Mile", Kalgoorlie-Boulder  Australia (07/2007)

Specimen size: 3.4 × 3.1 × 1.9 cm = 1.3” × 1.2” × 0.7”

HB49K8: Groups of laminated Gold crystals on matrix with small crystals and growths of gold telluride. Although these have not been analysed, due the origin and the similarities with other specimens from this locality, we believe that these are Coloradoite.
Golden Miles Mines, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia  Australia

Specimen size: 6.2 × 3 × 2.5 cm = 2.4” × 1.2” × 1.0”

MB29N6: Cuboctahedral crystal with polycrystalline growths on its faces. It has an abundant variety of internal colors and a residual matrix of Muscovite.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (2008)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 6.5 × 6 cm = 2.6” × 2.6” × 2.4”

MC85M9: Octahedral crystal with bevels that correspond to the rhombohedron faces. It is transparent, pale pink and it is implanted on a matrix very rich of Muscovite.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (09-10/2007)

Specimen size: 3.9 × 3.8 × 3.1 cm = 1.5” × 1.5” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 2.6 × 2.2 cm = 1.0” × 0.9”

ML46M9: Group of crystals formed by an equilibrate growth of the cube and the octahedron that are beveled by the faces of a rhombohedron. The sample has two clearly differentiate coloration, pale green and pale pink.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (09-10/2007)

Specimen size: 5.8 × 4.5 × 4 cm = 2.3” × 1.8” × 1.6”

MG99K6: One of the novelties of Munich this year. Group of complex crystals with domains of the faces of the cube and octahedron. The color is magnificent, very deep. The specimen has a small Muscovite matrix.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (09-10/2007)

Specimen size: 6.5 × 6.1 × 4.6 cm = 2.6” × 2.4” × 1.8”

ME89K6: One of the novelties of Munich this year. An octahedral crystal with cube faces. The pink color is deeper on the cube faces. It is on Muscovite matrix with small Schorl crystals.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (09-10/2007)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 3.2 × 3.1 cm = 1.9” × 1.3” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 3.2 × 3 cm = 1.3” × 1.2”

TQ89E9: A prismatic crystal with color zones that in some cases become a red-pink, that is doubly-terminated, a floater, and has perfectly defined faces and edges. It is far richer in crystal forms than is typical for this species, with the upper faces most notable of all.
Kunar Valley, Nuristan  Afghanistan (2003)

Specimen size: 8.7 × 2.9 × 2.5 cm = 3.4” × 1.1” × 1.0”

LB10F6: The crystal has excellent color, is quite transparent and has very well- defined faces. A small area in the center where there was a contact does not detract from the attractiveness of this quite large specimen.
From the David Lucas collection (no. 218) and it comes with his label.
Nooristan  Afghanistan

Specimen size: 10.2 × 3.8 × 1.5 cm = 4.0” × 1.5” × 0.6”

TR90E4: Two parallel crystal of Spodumene, which are floaters, doubly terminated, have good transparency, are of an unusual greenish yellow color, and have a particular feature: they are associated with and partially covered by small crystals of Apatite-(CaF), which has good color itself. The upper tips of the Spodumenes are very well defined.
Kunar Valley, Nuristan  Afghanistan (2003)

Specimen size: 12.2 × 3.2 × 2.9 cm = 4.8” × 1.3” × 1.1”

MD16L7: Doubly terminated Spodumene crystal with very sharp faces that is not so common for the species. Transparency and color are excellent. The matrix with Quartz and Albite makes an attractive display specimen.
Mawi pegmatite, Laghman, Nuristan  Afghanistan (±1990)

Specimen size: 10.7 × 4 × 3.5 cm = 4.2” × 1.6” × 1.4”

Main crystal size: 10.7 × 4 cm = 4.2” × 1.6”

EQ96K1: Very acute dipyramidal crystals of Anatase, some of them with flat terminations. Its luster is excellent and they are black with bluish reflections. They are on a matrix with small crystals of Quartz and Albite.
Pashine, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2006)

Specimen size: 5.8 × 5.6 × 2 cm = 2.3” × 2.2” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.6 cm = 0.4” × 0.2”

EP68K1: Parallel growth of four dipyramidal crystals with flat pinacoidal terminations. The crystal is black with bluish reflections. It is on a matrix of Quartz and Albite.

Pashine, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2006)

Specimen size: 5.5 × 2.7 × 2.2 cm = 2.2” × 1.1” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1.1 cm = 0.5” × 0.4”

EP87K1: Parallel growth of two dipyramidal crystals with flat pinacoidal terminations. Their luster is very good and they are black with bluish reflections. On matrix, with small crystals of Quartz and Albite.
Pashine, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2006)

Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.2 × 3.8 cm = 2.1” × 1.3” × 1.5”

Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.5 cm = 0.4” × 0.2”

MF36K4: A novelty from Munich 2007. Excellent miniature with two dipyramidal crystals of very well defined faces and edges and great color, transparency and luster. On Calcite matrix with small crystals of Mica.
Astor, Diamar District  Pakistan (2007)

Specimen size: 2.3 × 1.9 × 1.1 cm = 0.9” × 0.7” × 0.4”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1.1 cm = 0.6” × 0.4”

MC46K4: A novelty from Munich 2007. Dipyramidal crystals of Herderite of very well defined faces and edges, good yellowish color and excellent luster, on a matrix of small crystals of Albite with groups of fibrous crystals of Actinolite (Byssolite).
Sassi, Haramosh, Gilgit  Pakistan (08/2007)

Specimen size: 5.7 × 4.2 × 3.2 cm = 2.2” × 1.7” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 2.6 × 1.7 cm = 1.0” × 0.7”

MD64K4: A novelty from Munich 2007. Dipyramidal crystals of Herderite of very well defined faces and edges, good yellowish color and excellent luster, on a matrix of small crystals of Albite with groups of fibrous crystals of Actinolite (Byssolite).
Sassi, Haramosh, Gilgit  Pakistan (08/2007)

Specimen size: 4 × 2.4 × 2 cm = 1.6” × 0.9” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.7 cm = 0.9” × 0.7”

EB96G3: A prismatic crystal, doubly terminated, transparent and of a good color. It crosses through a thin matrix of Quartz. Certainly original.
Gilgit, Northern Areas  Pakistan (04/2005)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 2.1 × 4.6 cm = 1.9” × 0.8” × 1.8”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 0.8 cm = 0.8” × 0.3”

TF63J3: Curious prismatic crystal, naturally broken and rehealed in several places, with numerous curvatures and crystalline fibrous shaped sutures. The quarry from which the sample came is not well known and, probably it has been recently opened.
Chapu Quarry, Skardu, Baltistan  Pakistan (2006)

Specimen size: 7.5 × 1.2 × 1.5 cm = 3.0” × 0.5” × 0.6”

TV46J3: A group of prismatic, naturally broken and rehealed, crystals. They have abundant curvatures and crystalline fibrous shaped sutures. Crystals are doubly terminated, with very different terminations. On one of the tips appear well defined and bright rhombohedron faces, on the other it finishes with a flat rough pedion. The quarry from which the sample came is not well known and, probably it has been recently opened.
Chapu Quarry, Skardu, Baltistan  Pakistan (2006)

Specimen size: 8.8 × 3 × 3.3 cm = 3.5” × 1.2” × 1.3”

MR96N4: Floater group of doubly terminated crystals of good color, transparency and luster, with growth deformations marked by fibrous zones.
Nyet Bruk, Braldu Valley, Baltistan  Pakistan (2008)

Specimen size: 5.5 × 3.8 × 1.2 cm = 2.2” × 1.5” × 0.5”

EM29M8: Very sharp transparent crystal of good color and very well defined faces and edges with and excellent termination with the faces of two pyramids and the small pinacoid. On an Albite (Cleavelandite) matrix.
Nagar, Hunza Valley, Northern Areas  Pakistan (2008)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm = 1.8” × 1.0” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 4.5 × 1.3 cm = 1.8” × 0.5”

MK37K9: Prismatic crystal partially doubly terminated, on crystallized Albite matrix. The blue color is very uniform. The top termination is a combination of the pinacoid and pyramid.
Shigar Valley, Skardu, Baltistan  Pakistan (2004)

Specimen size: 5.7 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm = 2.2” × 1.0” × 1.0”

Main crystal size: 5.7 × 1 cm = 2.2” × 0.4”

EV21K3: Magnificent! This Aquamarine crystal is doubly terminated and complete with its upper part completely transparent and with growth channels and inclusions of Tourmaline (Schorl) on the lower. The terminations are very different. The main one, in which there is a small group of Albite, is formed by a transparent pinacoid and small pyramid faces, and the lower has an irregular pave due to recrystallization. The color is extraordinary as well as the transparency and luminosity.
Nyet Bruk, Braldu Valley, Baltistan  Pakistan (05/2005)

Specimen size: 12.6 × 3.5 × 3.3 cm = 5.0” × 1.4” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 11.9 × 3.5 cm = 4.7” × 1.4”

TR56I7: A curious prismatic crystal on matrix. It has a slight bend made when it was growing. The zone of torsion coincides with the change of color from green to red. The crystal is doubly terminated but one of the terminations, pinacoidal, is smooth while the other one is not so clear.
Pech, Nooristan  Afghanistan (2005)

Specimen size: 4.3 × 3.6 × 1.5 cm = 1.7” × 1.4” × 0.6”

TH26F2: Over the length of the prism and perpendicular to it you can see a range of different zones of green. The crystal, which is perfectly terminated by three faces of a rhombohedron, is well placed on the Quartz matrix.
Kunar Valley, Nuristan  Afghanistan (2003)

Specimen size: 2.6 × 2.2 × 1.5 cm = 1.0” × 0.9” × 0.6”

Main crystal size: 2.3 × 0.5 cm = 0.9” × 0.2”

TD16F3: A large prismatic crystal, very gemmy, and with a good mix of especially attractive red tones that show very noticeable zoning. The very sharp rhombohedral faces of the tip show intense brilliance and are especially gemmy. The base is recrystallized. Really esthetic.
Pech, Nooristan  Afghanistan (2004)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 1.7 × 1.6 cm = 3.3” × 0.7” × 0.6”

T89NY: Bi-colored Elbaite with Albite. A lovely apple green color in this red-green bi-colored Elbaite. With a small Albite rosette on the top, making it an even more beautiful specimen.
Paprok area  Afghanistan (09/00)

Specimen size: 6 × 3.2 cm = 2.4” × 1.3”

TG31C5: Extremely nice, its geminness is evident just viewing the photo. Just add to that the fact that the base is recrystallized and that all its tips have a delicate reddish tint.
Paprok, Konar  Afghanistan (2002)

Specimen size: 5.9 × 1.5 × 1.1 cm = 2.3” × 0.6” × 0.4”

MR47K9: Well defined Brookite crystals, with excellent color, on a Quartz crystal matrix partially covered with small and well defined white Albite crystals.
Kharan Mountains, Baluchistan  Pakistan (05/2005)

Specimen size: 8.3 × 6.5 × 2.3 cm = 3.3” × 2.6” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 2.5 × 0.9 cm = 1.0” × 0.4”

MK17E9: The laminar crystals have great color and the Quartz that they sit on is well crystallized.
Pashine, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2004)

Specimen size: 6 × 4.8 × 3 cm = 2.4” × 1.9” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.7 cm = 0.5” × 0.3”

EB37K6: Flattened, doubly terminated crystal of excellent color and luster on a matrix very rich in Quartz crystals. The side of the crystal seems broken but, as the detailed picture shows, it is complete, with echeloned growths that produce this effect.
Kharan Mountains, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2005)

Specimen size: 4.3 × 3 × 2.8 cm = 1.7” × 1.2” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.9 cm = 0.7” × 0.4”

MA78E9: A crystal that stands upright on the matrix of Albite and Quartz. It is laminar, has good color and has well-defined edges.
Pashine, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2004)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.5 × 5 cm = 1.5” × 1.4” × 2.0”

Main crystal size: 1.6 × 0.8 cm = 0.6” × 0.3”

EJ76H8: The sample is really splendid, both for its crystallization and its esthetics. Crystals are tabular, lengthened and have very well defined and sharp faces and edges. On the sample there are also some small Quartz crystals. With reflected light it is possible to observe, at the same time, translucency, color and the typical dark inclusions of some Brookites.
Kharan Mountains, Baluchistan  Pakistan (2005)

Specimen size: 5 × 3 × 3.5 cm = 2.0” × 1.2” × 1.4”

Main crystal size: 4.6 × 1.6 cm = 1.8” × 0.6”

TN36F9: Heulandite, in a floating group of intimately intergrown crystals, has rich inclusions of the uncommon mineral Celadonite, which is responsible of the uniform green color.
Jalgaon, Maharashtra  India (12/2002)

Specimen size: 5 × 5 × 4.3 cm = 2.0” × 2.0” × 1.7”

TY37D8: Celadonite is a massive unattractive mineral. The only time one can get good specimens of this species is when it is included in Indian Zeolites, giving them a characteristic green color. In this case it is included in Heulandite that has more brilliance than is normal, is a floater, has two doubly terminated crystals, and is associated with small balls of white Okenite. Rare and beautiful.
Jalgaon, Maharashtra  India (12/02)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 4.5 × 4.5 cm = 3.3” × 1.8” × 1.8”

TC36D8: Celadonite is a massive unattractive mineral. The only time one can get good specimens of this species is when it is included in Indian Zeolites, giving them a characteristic green color. In this case it is included in Heulandite, very esthetic, with a doubly terminated crystal, a floater, undamaged, and with more brilliance than is typical. Rare and beautiful.
Jalgaon, Maharashtra  India (12/02)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 4.2 × 4.3 cm = 1.8” × 1.7” × 1.7”

EG76K3: Crystals formed by the prism and a very acute pyramid, transparent, very bright and of a intense green color. The specimen also has abundant flat crystals of white Stilbite that contrast with the green color of the Apophyllite-(KF).
Aurangabad, Maharashtra  India (03-05/2007)

Specimen size: 12 × 7.2 × 3.8 cm = 4.7” × 2.8” × 1.5”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 0.8 cm = 0.8” × 0.3”

ED17G3: The specimen is really esthetic. Cavansite crystallizes as numerous spherical groups, and as some single sprays of crystals, of a very vivid and deep color. As a rarity we must mention the presence of a cubic crystal of Fluorite, very aerial, on Cavansite and some others spread on the Stilbite.
Wagholi Quarry, Poona, Maharashtra  India (2005)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 5.8 × 5 cm = 2.4” × 2.3” × 2.0”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.3 cm = 0.5” × 0.5”

TC80E6: Large crystal of Spinel in which the octahedral form of the crystal is very visible, although the faces are not flat as there are many sub-faces due to parallel growth. It is a floater, but there is a contact on the rear. The color and brilliance are not bad but the best feature, without doubt, is its size. Really big!
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Mandalay  Myanmar (1999)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 3.7 × 3.8 cm = 1.8” × 1.5” × 1.5”

MG97G8: Octahedral beveled crystal. It’s very sharp, bright, transparent and has a magnificent red color contrasting with the snowy-white matrix of Calcite.
Pein Pyit, Mogok, Mandalay  Myanmar (2003)

Specimen size: 6 × 4.8 × 4.2 cm = 2.4” × 1.9” × 1.7”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.7 cm = 0.3” × 0.3”

ME36F3: A very complex crystallization, which is sharp with curved edges. The deep red color with hints of mauve stands out from the gray transparent Calcite matrix.
Bawpadan Mine, Mogok, Mandalay  Myanmar (2003)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 4 × 3 cm = 1.9” × 1.6” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.9 cm = 0.4” × 0.4”

MB14J5: Globular growth, almost botryoidal, uncommon for the species, on Calcite matrix. The color, between red and pink, is enhanced by the magnificent luster.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 5.5 × 3.4 × 3.5 cm = 2.2” × 1.3” × 1.4”

TF13E2: Small ‘buttons’ of Elbaite spread across the matrix, with some associated smoky Quartz.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 5.5 × 3.5 × 2.8 cm = 2.2” × 1.4” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.8 cm = 0.4” × 0.3”

TG96E2: Brilliant spheres of Elbaite that stand out on the white matrix.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 3 × 2.7 × 1.9 cm = 1.2” × 1.1” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1.1 cm = 0.4” × 0.4”

TD96E2: Different from the others because of the color and the fact that it is Fluorescent, which is not the case with the others. The form is also different and the crystals stand out from the matrix.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 4.8 × 4.4 × 2.9 cm = 1.9” × 1.7” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 1.9 × 1.8 cm = 0.7” × 0.7”

TJ27E2: This arborescent Elbaite is even more unusual than the others, as very few were found with this form.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 3.5 × 3.4 × 2.6 cm = 1.4” × 1.3” × 1.0”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.7 cm = 0.8” × 0.7”

TB70H5: The crystallization is typical for this locality in Myanmar, shaped as a "mushroom" and with the particularity that shows two different shades of color, more intense near the base. At the base of the sample, and included within the Elbaite, there is a Schorl prism.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 5.1 × 3.9 cm = 2.8” × 2.0” × 1.5”

TC27E2: An arborescent Elbaite on Calcite with two colors: pink and deep red. An unusual specimen.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 7 × 3.8 × 4.2 cm = 2.8” × 1.5” × 1.7”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 2 cm = 0.9” × 0.8”

TM28E2: This floater has good color and brilliance, and is also very esthetic.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 3 × 2.6 × 2.6 cm = 1.2” × 1.0” × 1.0”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 1.6 cm = 0.8” × 0.6”

TP88E2: Very appealing with a lively color. One of the spheres of Elbaite is not complete (but it is re-crystallized) while the others are.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel, Molo, Momeik  Myanmar (2003-2004)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 2.8 × 2.1 cm = 1.7” × 1.1” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.8 cm = 0.8” × 0.7”