This page provides a selection of the specimens that have passed through the Fabre Minerals website and, due to their quality,
rarity, or significance as specimens from interesting locations, have been preserved as reference specimens in #MVM
After a long wait the IMA have published Hubeite as a new mineral species (see IMA listing ). This mineral, which has a strong structural resemblance to Manganbabingtonite, is now officially a new member of the mineral family. To celebrate this we have looked through the stock that we have held since the specimens first appeared, awaiting this moment, and are now publishing them. As we have not seen new material for quite a while, we think that these are interesting specimens, especially as they all show good quality.
Hubeite with Inesite |
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T56KE1: This has a large number of crystals of Hubeite that have excellent color and brilliance, along with a little Inesite to add color. A good floater specimen.
Fengjiashan Mine, Edong, Daye, Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province China (2001)
Specimen size: 5.3 × 3.5 × 1.7 cm = 2.09” × 1.38” × 0.67”
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Hubeite with Inesite |
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T96DE1: Larger crystals of Hubeite than is typical that completely cover the surface of this floater plate, which also has some Inesite mixed in with the Hubeite and on the back of it. There is a second generation of Hubeite crystals that are smaller and a lighter color. These partially cover the larger, darker crystals
Fengjiashan Mine, Edong, Daye, Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province China (2001)
Specimen size: 7.6 × 4.7 × 1.3 cm = 2.99” × 1.85” × 0.51”
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Hubeite with Calcite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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MTA74AO0: Spheroidal Hubeite growths larger than usual for the species, lustrous, dark brown, and implanted on a matrix of white rhombohedral Calcite crystals.
Fengjiashan Mine, Edong, Daye, Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province China (±2001)
Specimen size: 7.7 × 4.6 × 4.8 cm = 3.03” × 1.81” × 1.89”
Type locality
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These Manganilvaites have a curious history: in the year 2002 we obtained these samples and ignoring what they were then called we analyzed them. The analysis gave as a result that it could be a new species: Manganilvaite, not previously existing. We thought to present them to be approved but we decided not to due to the complexity of the process and the conviction that some other people could be working on them. Sure nough, a little time later Manganilvaite was officially published as new species.
We re-analyzed the samples we have and we can confirm they are Manganilvaite. Now we present them on our Web. A really long way to arrive to this point!
As we normally do in these cases we will send the buyer a copy of the analysis.
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Manganilvaite with Quartz, Fluorapophyllite-(K) and Calcite |
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MR27I5: The specimen is more esthetic than usual for the species. It has a base of Quartz crystals with white rhombohedral crystals of Calcite and a coverage of Fluorapophyllite-(K) and black prismatic crystals of Manganilvaite, small but very well defined. We’ll send the analysis of the Manganilvaite to the buyer.
Fengjiashan Mine, Edong, Daye, Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province China (2002)
Specimen size: 9.2 × 8.5 × 6.5 cm = 3.62” × 3.35” × 2.56”
Main crystal size: 0.2 × 0.1 cm = 0.08” × 0.04”
Calcite fluorescent long & short UV
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Manganilvaite on Fluorapophyllite-(K) |
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AD96H6: Spheroidal groups, very rich of small, black, very bright crystals in oriented growth on a matrix of very sharp, tabular crystals of Fluorapophyllite-(K).
Fengjiashan Mine, Edong, Daye, Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province China (2002)
Specimen size: 10 × 6.2 × 4.5 cm = 3.94” × 2.44” × 1.77”
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Calcite |
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T46EA0: Calcite twin, the tips are perfect both at the front and the back. It is well positioned on the matrix.
Leiping Mine, Leiping, Guiyang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (1997)
Specimen size: 3 × 3.5 cm = 1.18” × 1.38”
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Calcite with inclusions |
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MC36E2: A really very unusual spray of crystals of Calcite that have good brilliance and are partially colored by red oxides. The specimen is a floater with a re-crystallized base. Not just esthetic, it is also different from the others we have seen.
Leiping Mine, Leiping, Guiyang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2000)
Specimen size: 5.5 × 4.5 × 2.5 cm = 2.17” × 1.77” × 0.98”
Main crystal size: 2.5 × 1 cm = 0.98” × 0.39”
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Calcite with iron oxides |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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TVR93AO5: Very aerial and aesthetic growth of sharp rhombohedral crystals of Calcite, colored red by inclusions of iron oxides. A small part on the back of the piece has been sawn off.
Leiping Mine, Leiping, Guiyang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (±11/2021)
Specimen size: 13.4 × 9.6 6.8 cm = 5.28” × 3.80”
Main crystal size: 4 × 4 cm = 1.57” × 1.57”
Minor fluorescence short UV
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Fluorite |
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MG16AM9: Very sharp Fluorite crystal on matrix, translucent, very rich in inclusions and with a grass-green color. We will send the specimen, which comes from the Robert J. Noble collection, in its original Perky box from that collection, which also contains the label.
Xianghualing Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 2.3 × 2.2 × 1.8 cm = 0.91” × 0.87” × 0.71”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
Former collection of Bob Noble
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Fluorite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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TGA68AQ0: Fluorite crystal with a curious very elongated morphology, on matrix, translucent, and with an intense and uniform green color.
Xianghualing Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 4.8 × 3.4 × 2.5 cm = 1.89” × 1.34” × 0.98”
Main crystal size: 2.8 × 1.2 cm = 1.10” × 0.47”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite |
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EM73AK7: Group, on matrix, of very sharp cubic crystals of Fluorite, extraordinarily transparent, lustrous, and very intense green. Although thousands of these have come out, so far I have not seen any that had the intense color and transparency of these.
Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2018)
Specimen size: 7.8 × 6.4 × 5.4 cm = 3.07” × 2.52” × 2.13”
Main crystal size: 2 × 1.9 cm = 0.79” × 0.75”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite with inclusions and Calcite |
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TQ37Z3: Group of very transparent equant cubic Fluorite crystals with a clear and uniform green color, with inclusions on their phantom surfaces and on matrix, with small Calcite crystals.
Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2012)
Specimen size: 8.7 × 4.7 × 3.9 cm = 3.43” × 1.85” × 1.54”
Main crystal size: 1.9 × 1.8 cm = 0.75” × 0.71”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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EG69AM6: Druse of very transparent and shiny cubic Fluorite crystals with a uniform and intense green color, with inclusions oriented in growth phantoms.
Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2018)
Specimen size: 9.4 × 6.9 × 4.8 cm = 3.70” × 2.72” × 1.89”
Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.8 cm = 0.71” × 0.71”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite |
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MG46G8: An esthetic group of transparent cubic crystals, very bright and with a beautiful and vivid green color. The piece will enhance any collection due to its beauty.
Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2005)
Specimen size: 11 × 8.6 × 5.5 cm = 4.33” × 3.39” × 2.17”
Main crystal size: 3 × 2.6 cm = 1.18” × 1.02”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite |
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ME6C2: Nice contrast between the gemmy green Fluorite and the white Carbonates outside and inside the Fluorite.
Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2001)
Specimen size: 7 × 6 × 2.8 cm = 2.76” × 2.36” × 1.10”
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Liroconite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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EXM68AP7: Interesting Chinese novelty. Very sharp dipyramidal crystals of Liroconite, with good luster and an intense blue color, with green tones in some areas of the specimen, on matrix. The specimen has been analyzed in depth due to the curious presence of greenish tones in the crystals that turned out to be due to slight impurities of iron.
We will send a copy of the analysis to the buyer. This specimen has been published on the Mineralogical Record´s web page, in the 'What’s New on the Internet Reports' section, report 66, April 15, 2023 edition, page 2
Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (12/2021)
Specimen size: 1.4 × 1.4 × 1.1 cm = 0.55” × 0.55” × 0.43”
Main crystal size: 0.2 × 0.1 cm = 0.08” × 0.04”
With analysis copy
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Liroconite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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ETX47AP7: Interesting Chinese novelty. Very sharp dipyramidal crystals of Liroconite, with good luster and an intense blue color, with green tones in some areas of the specimen, on matrix. The specimen has been analyzed in depth due to the curious presence of greenish tones in the crystals that turned out to be due to slight impurities of iron.
We will send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.
Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (12/2021)
Specimen size: 1.6 × 1.3 × 0.7 cm = 0.63” × 0.51” × 0.28”
Main crystal size: 0.1 × 0.1 cm = 0.04” × 0.04”
With analysis copy
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Liroconite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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ERT96AP7: Interesting Chinese novelty. Very sharp dipyramidal crystals of Liroconite, with good luster and an intense blue color, with green tones in some areas of the specimen, on matrix. The specimen has been analyzed in depth due to the curious presence of greenish tones in the crystals that turned out to be due to slight impurities of iron.
We will send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.
Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (12/2021)
Specimen size: 2 × 1.4 × 1 cm = 0.79” × 0.55” × 0.39”
Main crystal size: 0.1 × 0.1 cm = 0.04” × 0.04”
With analysis copy
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Fluorite with Calcite |
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TR13AF0: A novelty at Tucson 2017. Fluorite crystals that are composed of very well balanced cube and the octahedron faces. Transparent and very bright, they have a very deep uniform blue color and are on matrix with white scalenohedral Calcite crystals.
Shizhuyuan Mine, Dongpo, Yizhang District, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2016)
Specimen size: 5.7 × 3.6 × 3.1 cm = 2.24” × 1.42” × 1.22”
Main crystal size: 1.9 × 1.7 cm = 0.75” × 0.67”
Calcite fluorescent short UV
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Fluorite with Calcite and Dolomite |
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TR89Z0: A single Fluorite crystal consisting of smooth cube faces and the dodecahedron with strongly polycrystalline surfaces. The crystal, transparent, bright and with a very uniform, intense and deep color, is implanted on a matrix of scalenohedral Calcite crystals, with small white Dolomite crystals.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2011)
Specimen size: 3.9 × 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.54” × 1.38” × 1.77”
Main crystal size: 3.9 × 3.5 cm = 1.54” × 1.38”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite with Dolomite and Quartz |
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MT86AH0: Very aerial Fluorite crystal with smooth cube faces and polycrystalline dodecahedron faces, both very well balanced. The single crystal on matrix, with Dolomite, is translucent and has an intense violet color.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2016)
Specimen size: 4.4 × 2.8 × 4.2 cm = 1.73” × 1.10” × 1.65”
Main crystal size: 2.3 × 2 cm = 0.91” × 0.79”
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Fluorite with Quartz and Calcite |
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TT37X3: Fluorite crystal showing the faces of the dodecahedron and the cube. It is implanted on a matrix of Quartz crystals, with a small cubic Pyrite crystal and a yellowish lenticular crystal of Calcite. The Fluorite is translucent, with a clear blue color with a very well marked change of shade on the cube faces that are deep violet. The dodecahedral faces have echeloned polycrystalline growths.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2009)
Specimen size: 6.5 × 5 × 3.8 cm = 2.56” × 1.97” × 1.50”
Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.6 cm = 1.06” × 1.02”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite with Calcite and Quartz |
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MC50AJ4: Cubo-octahedral Fluorite crystal with smooth cube faces and the octahedron has polycrystalline growths. It is transparent, very bright and has a very intense lilac color, darker on cubic faces. The crystal, implanted on a Quartz matrix, is coated by white scalenohedral Calcite crystals.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 9.4 × 8.1 × 4.6 cm = 3.70” × 3.19” × 1.81”
Main crystal size: 3 × 2.9 cm = 1.18” × 1.14”
Calcite fluorescent short UV
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Fluorite with Calcite, Quartz and Pyrite |
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ER99AK7: Cuboctahedral Fluorite crystals with their cube faces being smooth and the octahedron faces showing marked polycrystalline growths. Transparent, very lustrous, with bright lilac color, denser in the cubic faces. The crystal is implanted on a Quartz matrix coated with white scalenohedral Calcite crystals and with small Pyrite crystals.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2016)
Specimen size: 10.4 × 8.1 × 4.1 cm = 4.09” × 3.19” × 1.61”
Main crystal size: 3.2 × 2.6 cm = 1.26” × 1.02”
Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite |
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DX86E4: Such intense color, it is so transparent, and has such a regular form as you can see in the photo. Yes, one that is as good is it appears to be!
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2004)
Specimen size: 6 × 4.7 × 4.5 cm = 2.36” × 1.85” × 1.77”
Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.8 cm = 0.87” × 0.71”
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Quartz with Dolomite |
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TF1Q7: Complex clusters of “artichoke” Quartz with clearly curved faces and edges, of greenish blue color and on a matrix of white rhombohedral crystals of Dolomite with mosaical growths on their faces. A very esthetic piece.
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang, Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province China (12/2007)
Specimen size: 22 × 12.5 × 10.8 cm = 8.66” × 4.92” × 4.25”
Main crystal size: 7 × 2.2 cm = 2.76” × 0.87”
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Stibnite |
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MA13AM9: Isolated crystal of Stibnite with its faces and edges defined by strong mechanical distorsion produced during its formation, lustrous, and finely striated along the prism. We will send the specimen, which comes from the Robert J. Noble collection, in its original Perky box from that collection, which also contains the label.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 3.2 × 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 1.26” × 0.20” × 0.16”
Former collection of Bob Noble
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Calcite with inclusions and Stibnite |
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EPP88ASN2: A well-known and famous association of Calcite and Stibnite from the Xikuangshan antimony deposit. The flattened Calcite crystals, though thicker than usual, show a tabular morphology with well-defined faces and edges. The crystals are very translucent, and the base contains inclusions, creating a notable interior nebula effect. Stibnite crystals coat and partially pierce through the Calcite crystal, presenting a prismatic habit with a metallic sheen and polycrystalline terminations.
This specimen comes from the largest known antimony deposit in the world.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.4 × 2.7 cm = 1.50” × 1.34” × 1.06”
Photos: Pere Alonso
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Calcite with Stibnite |
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EH6P5: A thin crystal of Stibnite with a good termination, on a transparent discoidal twinned crystal of Calcite, all on a small matrix.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2009)
Specimen size: 4.9 × 3.1 × 1.4 cm = 1.93” × 1.22” × 0.55”
Main crystal size: 2.8 × 2.6 cm = 1.10” × 1.02”
Minor fluorescence short UV
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Calcite with Stibnite |
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EA96T6: Transparent lenticular crystal with a yellow color and a very neat phantom growth corresponding to a first very flattened rhombohedron. It is on matrix, with small acicular crystals of Stibnite on the contact zone between the cristal and the matrix.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2009)
Specimen size: 6.2 × 3.1 × 3.9 cm = 2.44” × 1.22” × 1.54”
Main crystal size: 3.2 × 2.8 cm = 1.26” × 1.10”
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Calcite with Stibnite |
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EB27P8: Lenticular crystal formed by an extremely flattened rhombohedron and a thin prism. It has very well defined faces and edges, is bright and translucent, of yellow color, and is on matrix. It has, as an inclusion, a Stibnite crystal at the bottom of the Calcite crystal.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2009)
Specimen size: 6.5 × 5.3 × 3.9 cm = 2.56” × 2.09” × 1.54”
Main crystal size: 5.4 × 5.3 cm = 2.13” × 2.09”
Minor fluorescence short UV
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Stibnite with Calcite |
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TK47Q6: Stibnite crystals partially included in groups of scalenohedral Calcite crystals that are very transparent, much of them doubly terminated and, as a curiosity, some of them forming a “butterfly” twin.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (10/2009)
Specimen size: 6.9 × 6.7 × 4.6 cm = 2.72” × 2.64” × 1.81”
Main crystal size: 2 × 1.9 cm = 0.79” × 0.75”
Calcite minor fluorescence short UV
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Baryte with Stibnite |
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ER69P6: Divergent growth of very well defined and bright crystals of Stibnite implanted on a complete floater crystal of Baryte, tabular, translucent and very bright. Unusual.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2009)
Specimen size: 7.7 × 6.2 × 3.2 cm = 3.03” × 2.44” × 1.26”
Main crystal size: 7 × 5.2 cm = 2.76” × 2.05”
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Stibnite with Sulfur |
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EX6F4: It is not a Stibiconite, as these are often labeled. We have analyzed it and we can confirm that it is a Stibnite that is covered with native Sulfur. The crystal is quite large, with perfectly defined edges and faces and it is almost completely covered by the sulfur, which makes it a neat yellow color. As we normally do in these cases we will send a copy of the analysis.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (1999)
Specimen size: 27.7 × 3.7 × 1.7 cm = 10.91” × 1.46” × 0.67”
Sulfur fluorescent long & short UV
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Valentinite with Quartz |
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Recorded under neon light
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TTX66CD5: From the largest antimony deposit known on Earth, Xikuangshan in China, we received this specimen formed of spheroidal and radiated aggregates of acicular Valentinite crystals, well isolated in their rock matrix with small Quartz coatings.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.8 × 1.2 cm = 2.13” × 1.50” × 0.47”
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Valentinite with Quartz |
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MB37AG7: Radial aggregates of acicular Valentinite crystals with very well defined faces and edges, very bright, whose color is between yellow and orange, both intense and uniform. On a limonite matrix.
Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Lengshuijiang, Loudi Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2016)
Specimen size: 9.5 × 5.9 × 3.4 cm = 3.74” × 2.32” × 1.34”
Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.8 cm = 0.35” × 0.31”
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Cinnabar with Dolomite |
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TG14AJ1: Elongated Cinnabar crystals with excellent rhombohedral terminal faces cut by the pinacoid. The crystals, on a matrix of rhombohedral Dolomite, are transparent, extraordinarily bright and have a very intense color. We will send the sample in its original Perkin’s box from the R.J. Noble collection, also containing the collection label.
Chatian Mine, Chatian District, Fenghuang, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 2.7 × 1.8 × 1 cm = 1.06” × 0.71” × 0.39”
Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.3 cm = 0.24” × 0.12”
Former collection of Bob Noble
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Cinnabar on Dolomite |
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TB56H3: Subtle sample. On a matrix of Calcite crystals perch two perfect crystals of Cinnabar. They have sharp faces and edges, transparent and bright, and the color is incredible. A little jewel.
Chatian Mine, Chatian District, Fenghuang, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2003-2006)
Specimen size: 3.8 × 1.6 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 0.63” × 0.79”
Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.6 cm = 0.31” × 0.24”
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Cinnabar with Dolomite |
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MP88S7: Translucent rhombohedral crystals, very bright with an intense red color. They have very well defined faces and edges, with growth curvatures on some of their forms, and are on a matrix of rhombohedral crystals of white Dolomite. As usual with this kind of Chinese material, the matrix has a saw cut on the back side.
Chatian Mine, Chatian District, Fenghuang, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2004)
Specimen size: 6.1 × 5.7 × 2.2 cm = 2.40” × 2.24” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.8 cm = 0.47” × 0.31”
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Cinnabar on Dolomite |
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TB70H7: Crystal of Cinnabar of thick tabular habit and hexagonal shape. Both the faces and the edges are very sharp and bright and the crystals strongly contrast with the matrix of yellowish Dolomite. As usually happens with Chinese Cinnabars, the matrix has been sawn on the back, but not affecting, in this case, the esthetics of the specimen.
Chatian Mine, Chatian District, Fenghuang, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2003-2006)
Specimen size: 6.2 × 6.8 × 4.5 cm = 2.44” × 2.68” × 1.77”
Main crystal size: 1.6 × 1.3 cm = 0.63” × 0.51”
Dolomite fluorescent long & short UV
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Cinnabar on Dolomite |
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EV37K0: Sharp prismatic crystal of hexagonal shape and parallel growths. It has bright and very well defined faces and edges and strongly contrasts with the Dolomite matrix. As usual with this kind of Chinese samples, the matrix is more or less sawn, but in this case it doesn’t affect the esthetics of the specimen.
Chatian Mine, Chatian District, Fenghuang, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2006)
Specimen size: 7.4 × 4.5 × 5 cm = 2.91” × 1.77” × 1.97”
Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.9 cm = 0.43” × 0.35”
Dolomite Intense fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite with Quartz |
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EK16I1: A beautiful miniature, of excellent esthetics due to the matrix of Quartz crystals and the luster and shape of the Fluorite crystal, but it is also mineralogically interesting for the extreme definition of the color zones in the cube, with a strong concentration of deep violet near the edges and the clear blue on corners and at the center which permit seeing the white inclusions in the crystal.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2006)
Specimen size: 3.5 × 2.5 × 2.1 cm = 1.38” × 0.98” × 0.83”
Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1.3 cm = 0.55” × 0.51”
Zoned fluorescence long & short UV
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Fluorite with Muscovite |
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DF64F9: The picture doesn’t reflect clearly the transparency of the cubic crystals, which allow one to observe the micaceous matrix through them. The architecture of the piece is especially handsome and the color is intense.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2003)
Specimen size: 5 × 3.4 × 3.4 cm = 1.97” × 1.34” × 1.34”
Main crystal size: 2.9 × 2.2 cm = 1.14” × 0.87”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite with Quartz, Arsenopyrite and Muscovite |
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EX96K9: Cuboctahedron crystal with well defined faces and edges. Really good transparency and excellent and very uniform green color. With minor Quartz matrix.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2005)
Specimen size: 5.7 × 5 × 5.1 cm = 2.24” × 1.97” × 2.01”
Main crystal size: 5.1 × 4.6 cm = 2.01” × 1.81”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Fluorite with inclusions |
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TH48K9: Group of cubic crystals with well defined faces and very sharp edges, good brilliance and transparency. It is very aesthetic by the irregular distribution of the color and the presence of several inclusions.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2007)
Specimen size: 11.3 × 6.9 × 5 cm = 4.45” × 2.72” × 1.97”
Main crystal size: 5 × 4.7 cm = 1.97” × 1.85”
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Bournonite |
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BK96C5: Fabulous luster in what if often a dull species. China has provided us an esthetic specimen of something that often is not so nice. Tabular cluster of crystals well terminated, with flat pinacoidal faces.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (07/02)
Specimen size: 2.9 × 2 × 2 cm = 1.14” × 0.79” × 0.79”
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Doubly terminated Bournonite |
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EQ66K1: Group of prismatic crystals. with an excellent luster and the special feature that practically all them are doubly terminated.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2004)
Specimen size: 3.5 × 3 × 1.6 cm = 1.38” × 1.18” × 0.63”
Main crystal size: 3.5 × 1.2 cm = 1.38” × 0.47”
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Fluorapatite with Quartz |
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MB47L1: Short prismatic crystals, doubly terminated, with color zonations. On a matrix of doubly terminated Quartz crystals. All of the Fluorapatite specimens from Yaogangxian we have seen so far usually were smaller and poorer in quality than this.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2005)
Specimen size: 4.9 × 4 × 3 cm = 1.93” × 1.57” × 1.18”
Main crystal size: 2.5 × 1.4 cm = 0.98” × 0.55”
Intense zoned fluorescence long & short UV
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Sphalerite with Quartz |
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EX56K1: Complex group of Sphalerite crystals in parallel growth, giving the appearance of a single crystal with very well defined faces, bright and with bluish reflections, on a group of Quartz crystals. The specimen has been published in the book 'China', by Berthold Ottens, on page 524
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2007)
Specimen size: 3.4 × 3 × 2.9 cm = 1.34” × 1.18” × 1.14”
Main crystal size: 2.9 × 3 cm = 1.14” × 1.18”
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Tetrahedrite pseudo Bournonite |
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BB9C6: Analysis some times gives agreeable surprises, as in this case: a really sharp Tetrahedrite pseudomorphosed by Bournonite. Pretty uncommon! Plus this specimen is very well placed on its Fluorite matrix. As usual in unusual things we will provide the analysis to the buyer of the specimen.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China
Specimen size: 2.6 × 2.2 × 1.2 cm = 1.02” × 0.87” × 0.47”
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Chalcopyrite |
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EC64I2: The specimen is a miniature but the main crystal is of a considerable size. It has an extraordinary sharpness of its faces and edges. Also extraordinary are its luster and the presence, on the back, of growths looking like sawteeth.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2006)
Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.2 × 1.8 cm = 1.26” × 0.87” × 0.71”
Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.4 cm = 0.87” × 0.55”
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Arsenopyrite with Quartz |
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ET50P4: Groups of crystals with very well marked curvatures that confer on them a curious mushroom shape. The Arsenopyrite is on matrix of very neat crystals of Quartz.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (±2005)
Specimen size: 12 × 8.8 × 7.3 cm = 4.72” × 3.46” × 2.87”
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Scheelite with Quartz |
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TR37J7: Group of dipyramidal crystals, one of them clearly dominant, of very well defined faces and edges, an excellent luster and an unusual dark color that resembles the classic Korean specimens. The growth is not as simple as it looks at first view, and has mosaic and echeloned forms.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2005)
Specimen size: 4.5 × 3.3 × 2.5 cm = 1.77” × 1.30” × 0.98”
Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.6 cm = 1.06” × 1.02”
Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV
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Scheelite with Quartz and Dolomite |
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TV10N9: Group of dipyramidal crystals of Scheelite bigger than usual for the locality, with excellent definition of their faces and edges, an intense luster and a clearer color than is usual on the normal Yaogangxian pieces. With Quartz and partially coated by Calcite. Among the best for the locality.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2004)
Specimen size: 6.1 × 5.3 × 4.9 cm = 2.40” × 2.09” × 1.93”
Fluorescence short UV & minor fluorescence long UV
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Scheelite with Quartz, Muscovite and Arsenopyrite |
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EA93I1: A complex group, very rich with dipyramidal crystals, bright and with very well-defined faces and edges on a matrix of Quartz crystals with Arsenopyrite and Muscovite. The specimen deserves to be in the most accredited collections due to its quality and the locality which it is from.
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (2006)
Specimen size: 10.8 × 7.7 × 6.2 cm = 4.25” × 3.03” × 2.44”
Main crystal size: 3.3 × 3 cm = 1.30” × 1.18”
Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV
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Stannite on Quartz and Ferberite |
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TR26I1: The sample is magnificent both for its size and the quality and definition of the groups of Stannite crystals on Quartz with Ferberite. The specimen had been analyzed to confirm it is really Stannite and not Sphalerite, because on Chinese samples such confusion is possible. The specimen has been published in the book 'China', by Berthold Ottens, on page 526
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang, Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province China (±2000)
Specimen size: 11.2 × 9.2 × 6.7 cm = 4.41” × 3.62” × 2.64”
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