Reference Specimens
Joaquim Callen's Photo Gallery

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Photos by Fabre Minerals. Under Creative Commons license

This page provides a selection of the specimens from the Joaquim Callen's Photo Gallery 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

Jordi Fabre Text: Jordi Fabre (Fabre Minerals)
Assistance from John S. White (former Smithsonian curator) John S. White

 

 

When Jordi offered me a corner on his web page to publish photos of the pieces that I choose I found it an excellent idea. It goes without saying that the project made me very enthusiastic immediately.

It is my intention to show, through my photographs, my point of view of the beauty of minerals, and I hope to add to that a point of charm, that touch of magic that minerals awaken in all those who view them with delight and admiration.

Joaquim Callén

Joaquim Callén

If you want to know how this special
page works do click on the image

 

Joaquim Callen's Photo Gallery


USA

Rhodochrosite  

 

 

Rhodochrosite  
Rhodochrosite. Rhodochrosite.

TM91AG1
An American classic coming from a mainly forgotten mine, the Anselmo mine. The crystals are almost completely covered by a thin crust of Quartz but in some places where there is no Quartz you can see their excellent color.

 

Anselmo Mine, Butte, Butte District, Silver Bow County, Montana
USA


Specimen size: 4.8 × 4.1 × 3 cm = 1.89” × 1.61” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.2 cm = 0.67” × 0.47”


  Elbaite

Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California
USA


Former collection of Bob Noble

Specimen size: 2.7 × 1.1 × 1.1 cm = 1.06” × 0.43” × 0.43”

Elbaite. Elbaite.

TV88AJ6
Of the polychrome Elbaites from the Himalaya mine one of the characteristics that the 'photographic eye' most appreciates is the geometric color zoning, in this case from the bottom to the top there are three superimposed delicate pastel colors: yellow, pink and green. A 'delicatessen'. We will send the sample in its original Perkin’s box from the R.J. Noble collection, also with the collection label on which it appears that it was obtained in an exchange with Terry Enright, June 2011.

 
  Elbaite

Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite  

 

 

Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite  
Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite. Front
Front
Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite. Front
Front
Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite. Side
Side
Beryl (variety morganite) with Muscovite. Side
Side

TG91AG1
Very good geometry, a floater, doubly terminated and with a white phantom inside. Its color is not very intense but I like classics, and for obvious reasons I like this classic.

 

Elizabeth R. Mine, Chief Mountain, Pala, Pala District, San Diego County, California
USA


Specimen size: 3.6 × 3.4 × 2.3 cm = 1.42” × 1.34” × 0.91”



Mexico

  Quartz (variety amethyst)

Amatitlán, Municipio Eduardo Neri, Guerrero
Mexico


Former collection of José Luis Vallecillo

Specimen size: 17.7 × 11.5 × 6.7 cm = 6.97” × 4.53” × 2.64”

Main crystal size: 6 × 1.7 cm = 2.36” × 0.67”

Quartz (variety amethyst). Quartz (variety amethyst).
Quartz (variety amethyst).

TB91AG1
Large crystals of amethyst, different than the classic amethysts of Las Vigas, with thicker and slightly tapered crystals and zoned color, very intense in the first generation of the crystal and colorless or white in its last growth phase. A classic of the past from the collection of José Luis Vallecillo.

 
  Quartz (variety amethyst)


France

Quartz with inclusions  

 

 

Quartz with inclusions  
Quartz with inclusions. Front
Front
Quartz with inclusions. Rear
Rear
Quartz with inclusions.

LE70AK2
This specimen, extraordinarily fine and elegant and very well balanced, displays a group of Quartz crystals, on matrix, with a well defined La Gardette habit, elongated, transparent, colorless, very bright and with small inclusions. The sample, a French classic, comes from the Philippe Morelon collection (No. 1107), whose catalogue entry we will send to the buyer.

 

À Giraud Mine, La Gardette mining area, Villard-Nôtre-Dame, Le Bourg d'Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
France

2013


Former collection of Philippe Morelon

Specimen size: 8.2 × 7.3 × 5.7 cm = 3.23” × 2.87” × 2.24”

Main crystal size: 4.2 × 1 cm = 1.65” × 0.39”


  Quartz (Variety faden quartz)

Col de la Valette, Besse, Oisans-Romanche, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
France

08/2001


Former collection of Philippe Morelon

Specimen size: 10.1 × 3.7 × 1.1 cm = 3.98” × 1.46” × 0.43”

Quartz (Variety faden quartz). Front
Front
Quartz (Variety faden quartz). Rear
Rear

LW89AK2
An excellent example of Alpine-type quartz with a very visible faden cord and that has formed a flattened parallel growth floater, extraordinarily sharp, of colorless, transparent and very brilliant crystals. The specimen is from the Philippe Morelon collection (No. 351), whose catalogue entry we will send to the buyer.

 
  Quartz (Variety faden quartz)

Azurite with Malachite after Cuprite  

 

 

Azurite with Malachite after Cuprite  
Azurite with Malachite after Cuprite. Azurite with Malachite after Cuprite.

EE57AJ6
A classic aggregate of Malachite crystals after Cuprite, formed by the cube and the dodecahedron. Its clear and uniform green color contrasts with the deep blue of the nodule of equant Azurite crystals. A French classic.

 

Chessy-les-Mines, Les Bois d'Oingt, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
France

2005-2009


Type locality

Specimen size: 3.7 × 3.2 × 2.4 cm = 1.46” × 1.26” × 0.94”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”


  Quartz

La Gardette Mine, La Gardette mining area, Villard-Notre-Dame, Le Bourg d'Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
France


Specimen size: 12.5 × 9.5 × 6.8 cm = 4.92” × 3.74” × 2.68”

Main crystal size: 4.8 × 1.1 cm = 1.89” × 0.43”

Quartz. Front
Front
Quartz. Rear
Rear

TE26AG1
La Gardette is a mythical name. That small mine located in the middle of the French Alps has offered and continues to offer some of the most elegant Quartzes in the world. A beauty as fascinating as the place where they are found.

 
  Quartz

Fluorite with Quartz  

 

 

Fluorite with Quartz  
Fluorite with Quartz. Front
Front
Fluorite with Quartz. Side
Side

TF89AK2
One of those discoveries due to the good work of amateurs. A treasure recovered in an unexpected place in the abandoned Four de Cluzel Mine. Fluorite crystals, translucent, with extraordinary luster, have a very intense and uniform lemon yellow color and are partially coated, selectively, by small water-clear Quartz crystals. Because of its color, luster and crystal size, these are among the most beautiful French Fluorites.

 

Four de Cluzel Mine, Peyrebrune area, Montredon-Labessonnié, Le Haut Dadou, Castres, Tarn, Occitanie
France

04-08/2018


Fluorescent long & short UV

Specimen size: 7.3 × 6.4 × 4.7 cm = 2.87” × 2.52” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 6.1 × 3.6 cm = 2.40” × 1.42”


  Fluorite with Quartz

Four de Cluzel Mine, Peyrebrune area, Montredon-Labessonnié, Le Haut Dadou, Castres, Tarn, Occitanie
France

04-08/2018


Fluorescent long & short UV

Specimen size: 15.7 × 10.4 × 9.2 cm = 6.18” × 4.09” × 3.62”

Main crystal size: 9.7 × 9.5 cm = 3.82” × 3.74”

Fluorite with Quartz. Front
Front
Fluorite with Quartz. Side & with light behind
Side & with light behind
Fluorite with Quartz.

EF96AK2
The size of the crystal is impressive, which in no way worsens the quality of the specimen, with translucent crystals, extraordinary luster, and a very intense and uniform lemon-yellow color, partially coated selectively by small water-clear Quartz crystals. This specimen is part of one of those discoveries resulting from the diligent work of an amateur, a treasure recovered in an unexpected place in the abandoned Four de Cluzel Mine. Because of its color, luster and crystal size, it is among the best French Fluorites.

 
 

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Quartz

Fluorite with Quartz  

 

 


Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Quartz
 
Fluorite with Quartz. Front
Front
Fluorite with Quartz. Light behind
Light behind
Fluorite with Quartz.

LX72AK2
A specimen that should be in any gallery of French Fluorites. It forms a transparent druse when backlit, with crystals of cubic habit with polycrystalline growths that form well defined, lustrous, transparent and very uniform deep blue-violet steps. A French classic that comes from the Philippe Morelon collection (No. 208), whose catalogue entry we will send to the buyer.

 

Fontsante Mine, Tanneron Massif, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
France

2000

Former collection of Philippe Morelon
Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Specimen size: 15 × 11.2 × 2 cm = 5.91” × 4.41” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 2.1 cm = 0.83” × 0.83”


  Pyromorphite with Baryte

Les Farges Mine (Des Farges Mine), Ussel, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
France

Former collection of Philippe Morelon
Minor fluorescence short UV

Specimen size: 2.2 × 1.4 × 1 cm = 0.87” × 0.55” × 0.39”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.4 cm = 0.51” × 0.16”

Pyromorphite with Baryte.

LF11AK2
A small but very classic example from Des Farges, a group of crystals with very well-defined parallel growths and fine polycrystalline terminations that give them the appearance of a beam. The crystals, with distinct phantom growths when backlit, have a geometrically zoned yellowish-green color in the prism and lemon-yellow around the terminations. The specimen is from the Philippe Morelon collection (No. 959), whose catalogue entry we will send to the buyer.

 
  Pyromorphite with Baryte

Baryte with inclusions  

 

 

Baryte with inclusions  
Baryte with inclusions. Front
Front
Baryte with inclusions. Side
Side
Baryte with inclusions.

LH71AK2
Elegant matrix group of very sharp Baryte crystals, thin tabular to lamellar, with phantoms resulting from an early growth phase, very rich in inclusions, and a second terminal phase, transparent and colorless. An unusual specimen from this deposit, especially for its quality. From the collection of Philippe Morelon (No. 967), whose catalogue entry we will send to the buyer.

 

Fontsante Mine, Tanneron Massif, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
France

1980

Former collection of Philippe Morelon
Zoned fluorescence long & short UV

Specimen size: 15.1 × 11.3 × 6.9 cm = 5.94” × 4.45” × 2.72”

Main crystal size: 3.8 × 2.2 cm = 1.50” × 0.87”



Europe (excl. Spain, Portugal and France)

  Ba-rich Microcline (variety hyalophane)

Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina

1989-1990


Minor fluorescence short UV

Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.9 × 2.7 cm = 1.26” × 1.14” × 1.06”

Ba-rich Microcline (variety hyalophane). Front
Front
Ba-rich Microcline (variety hyalophane). Rear
Rear

MV14AI9
This is a floater group of Hyalophane crystals from Busovaca—practically the only locality for fine specimens of this Feldspar-group species. The lustrous, translucent crystals are very obviously repeating double Baveno-Manebach twins.

 
  Ba-rich Microcline (variety hyalophane)

Ilvaite with Quartz  

 

 

Ilvaite with Quartz  
Ilvaite with Quartz. Front
Front
Ilvaite with Quartz. Rear
Rear

HD14AI9
This specimen represents a classic Italian locality for Ilvaite. It is one of the better known localities for the species, but only a very small number of specimens from it have ever been recovered and saved. The Ilvaite crystals, some terminated sharply on one end and less sharply on the other end, are highly lustrous. Small quartz crystals are associated.

 

Temperino Mine, Campiglia Marittima, Campigliese, Livorno Province, Tuscany
Italy


Specimen size: 3.5 × 3.5 × 2.1 cm = 1.38” × 1.38” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.7 cm = 0.43” × 0.28”


  Baryte with Chalcopyrite

Dreislar Mine, Dreislar, Winterberg, Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia/Nordrhein-Westfalen
Germany


Specimen size: 9.7 × 6.4 × 4 cm = 3.82” × 2.52” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 9.4 × 4.3 cm = 3.70” × 1.69”

Baryte with Chalcopyrite. Front
Front
Baryte with Chalcopyrite. Side
Side
Baryte with Chalcopyrite.

MB57AI6
A sample that has the special attraction of being a German classic, a Baryte that forms a parallel aggregate of very sharp thick tabular crystals that are partially coated by disphenoidal Chalcopyrite crystals with a tetragonal shape, with very well defined faces and edges and very intense brightness.

 
  Baryte with Chalcopyrite

Silver with Calcite  

 

 

Silver with Calcite  
Silver with Calcite. Silver with Calcite.
Silver with Calcite. Silver with Calcite.

NT67AH3
Silver from Kongsberg is obviously part of the history of mineralogy but also of European history. On this sample the Silver has grown forming delicate arborescent aggregates of small octahedral crystals included in Calcite and on a rocky matrix.

 

Kongsberg mining district, Kongsberg
Norway


Calcite fluorescent short UV

Specimen size: 6.9 × 4.8 × 3 cm = 2.72” × 1.89” × 1.18”



FSU

  Calcite

Dalnegorsk, Dalnegorsk Urban District, Primorsky Krai
Russia


Fluorescence short UV & minor fluorescence long UV

Specimen size: 8.4 × 8.2 × 4.1 cm = 3.31” × 3.23” × 1.61”

Main crystal size: 8.4 × 8.2 cm = 3.31” × 3.23”

Calcite. Front
Front
Calcite. Rear
Rear

SA27AI6
Dalnegorsk is one of those mineral localities that is always offering nice surprises to the collector as has happened with this thick tabular Calcite crystal that has the exquisiteness of a very sharp hexagonal form and the aesthetics of the added group of smaller Calcite crystals.

 
  Calcite

Chrysoberyl (variety alexandrite) with Phlogopite  

 

 

Chrysoberyl (variety alexandrite) with Phlogopite  
Chrysoberyl (variety alexandrite) with Phlogopite. Front - neon light (day light)
Front - neon light (day light)
Chrysoberyl (variety alexandrite) with Phlogopite. Front - bulb light
Front - bulb light

TC69AI2
Alexandrite was one of the favorite gemstones of the Russian Czars and the Orenburg deposits provided excellent specimens, such as this floater crystal that formed a complete cyclic ( sixling) twin with a good color change according to the type of incident light, green with natural light and reddish-brownish under incandescent light. A very good Russian classic.

 

Orenburgskaya Oblast, Southern Urals, Urals Region
Russia


Specimen size: 2.7 × 2.2 × 1.5 cm = 1.06” × 0.87” × 0.59”



Morocco

  Azurite

Kerrouchen, Khénifra Province, Beni Mellal-Khenifra Region
Morocco

03/2015


Specimen size: 4.1 × 3.5 × 2.4 cm = 1.61” × 1.38” × 0.94”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.5 cm = 0.79” × 0.59”

Azurite. Front
Front
Azurite. Side
Side
Azurite. Rear
Rear

EH97AK1
Group of equidimensional crystals, attractive for their simple forms and sharp shapes, for the depth of color, brightness and the intense bright blue reflections, very typical of Kerrouchen.

 
  Azurite

Scorodite with Karibibite  

 

 

Scorodite with Karibibite  
Scorodite with Karibibite. Scorodite with Karibibite.
Scorodite with Karibibite. Scorodite with Karibibite.

ME51AG6
Scorodites are known in the Oumlil Mine but have recently been found there in very individual crystals and associated with Karibibite. This is the best piece that we got from this association in Munich 2017. Who knows if we will see more in the future, the only certain thing is that now and here we have this one.
This specimen was photographed and published as a novelty at the 2017 Munich Show in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ Nov/Dec 2017, number 138, page 35 and for the magazine ‘Mineralien Welt’ on page 71 of number 1/2018

 

Oumlil Mine, Oumlil, Bou Azzer mining district, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region
Morocco

09/2017


Specimen size: 11.7 × 8 × 4.8 cm = 4.61” × 3.15” × 1.89”

Main crystal size: 0.4 ×0.3 cm = 0.16” × 0.12”



Africa (excl. Morocco)

  Grandidierite with Feldspar

Tranomaro Commune, Tranomaro-Maromby area, Amboasary District, Anosy Region (Fort Dauphin Region), Toliara Province (Tuléar)
Madagascar

02-06/2017


Specimen size: 5.4 × 2.8 × 2.9 cm = 2.13” × 1.10” × 1.14”

Main crystal size: 5.1 × 1.7 cm = 2.01” × 0.67”

Grandidierite with Feldspar. Front
Front
Grandidierite with Feldspar. Side
Side

MQ28AG8
Grandidierite is one of the great myths of mineralogy, especially in the field of rare species. It was believed that we would never see more Grandidierites of such quality as those that exist in the great museums of the world, especially the museums of Paris, but for a couple of years in a little-known Madagascar site excellent Grandidierites have been appearing, some of them of as great quality as the famous specimens that appeared in the past.
This specimen was photographed for the ‘Munich 2017’ section of the magazine ‘Mineralien Welt’ and appears on page 70 of number 1/2018, and for the magazine ‘Mineralogical Record’ on page 338 in the volume 49, number 2

 
  Grandidierite with Feldspar

Pyrophanite with Feldspar and Quartz (variety smoky)  

 

 

Pyrophanite with Feldspar and Quartz (variety smoky)  
Pyrophanite with Feldspar and Quartz (variety smoky). Pyrophanite with Feldspar and Quartz (variety smoky).

TQ46AI6
An example of the mineralogical variation of the peculiar Malawi pegmatites is this Pyrophanite that forms radial aggregates of dark brown acicular crystals that are on a Feldspar matrix with small smoky Quartz crystals.

 

Mount Malosa, Zomba District
Malawi

Feldspar minor fluorescence long & short UV.

Former collection of José Luis Vallecillo

Specimen size: 7.8 × 7.7 × 3.6 cm = 3.07” × 3.03” × 1.42”


  Elbaite with Mica

Naipa Mine, Alto Ligonha pegmatite, Zambezia Province
Mozambique

07/2017


Specimen size: 3.6 × 3.2 × 2.7 cm = 1.42” × 1.26” × 1.06”

Elbaite with Mica. Front
Front
Elbaite with Mica. Light behind
Light behind

NF29AI2
Luminosity and balance are surely the terms that best define this specimen which displays a pinacoidal termination of the Elbaite crystal that is extraordinarily sharp and bright and with prismatic faces that are very well defined with a marked color zoning, green on the terminal half and a vibrant pink on the bottom half. The matrix, with leafy aggregates of Mica some of them very aerial, add the final aesthetic touch.

 
  Elbaite with Mica

Quartz (variety citrine) with Albite  

 

 

Quartz (variety citrine) with Albite  
Quartz (variety citrine) with Albite. Front
Front
Quartz (variety citrine) with Albite. Side
Side
Quartz (variety citrine) with Albite. Side
Side

NA86AG1
From a new location not known until now come these limpid citrine Quartzes with an extraordinary color. Many of them have small dings, this one in particular also has some, but in any case its color is so beautiful that I think it can be forgiven.

 

Mamapa, Nampula Province
Mozambique

2016


Specimen size: 6.4 × 2.7 × 1.8 cm = 2.52” × 1.06” × 0.71”


  Wulfenite

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region
Namibia


Former collection of René Hubin

Specimen size: 5.1 × 3.7 × 1.3 cm = 2.01” × 1.46” × 0.51”

Wulfenite. Front
Front
Wulfenite. Side
Side
Wulfenite.

EG72AG6
Yes, the crystals of Wulfenite can also be very large as shown by this giant from Tsumeb, partially coated with crystals of Calcite and iron oxides.
The collector René Hubin from Neupré, Belgium had the luck and the success of obtaining this "monster" and us we were happy to buy it from him!

 
  Wulfenite

Smithsonite (variety cadmium)  

 

 

Smithsonite (variety cadmium)  
Smithsonite (variety cadmium). Front
Front
Smithsonite (variety cadmium). Rear
Rear

TB37AI6
The Cadmium-rich Smithsonite variety is an uncommon find at Tsumeb so it is a pleasure to be able to photograph this druse of rhombohedral crystals with very well defined faces and edges and displaying a delicate orange color, due to the presence of Cadmium.

 

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region
Namibia


Specimen size: 5.9 × 5.3 × 4.6 cm = 2.32” × 2.09” × 1.81”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.5 cm = 0.28” × 0.20”


  Shigaite with Rhodochrosite

N'Chwaning I Mine, N'Chwaning mining area, Kuruman, Kalahari manganese field (KMF), Northern Cape Province
South Africa

2017


Specimen size: 5.9 × 3.2 × 2.5 cm = 2.32” × 1.26” × 0.98”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.5 cm = 0.39” × 0.20”

Shigaite with Rhodochrosite. Shigaite with Rhodochrosite.
Shigaite with Rhodochrosite.

MC93AG6
In 2017 in the N'Chwaning I Mine some manual work for the extraction of collector’s specimens was initiated. This colorful Shigaite in Rhodochrosite is a good example of the result of this work. The good form of the crystals that are very aerial, their transparency, color, brightness and perfection are the hallmarks of this piece.
This specimen was photographed and published as a novelty at the 2014 Munich Show in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ Nov/Dec 2017, number 138, page 29

 
  Shigaite with Rhodochrosite


Brazil

Gold  

 

 

Gold  
Gold. Gold.

TM88AG8
What about the Golds from Serra do Caldeirão? Much of what happened there in 2015 is well explained in this FMF thread: An opportune harvest of Gold in Serra do Caldeirão claims, Brazil
This specimen has an excellent quality-price ratio given the good definition of the terminal faces of the crystals that show a kind of "hopper" growing.

 

Serra do Caldeirão claims, Pontes e Lacerda, Alto Guaporé District, Mato Grosso
Brazil

2015

Weight: 1.6 grams

Specimen size: 1 × 0.9 × 0.8 cm = 0.39” × 0.35” × 0.31”


  Euclase

Santana do Encoberto, São Sebastião do Maranhão, Minas Gerais
Brazil


Former collection of Uwe Niemeyer

Specimen size: 4.5 × 2.6 × 1.8 cm = 1.77” × 1.02” × 0.71”

Euclase. Front
Front
Euclase. Rear
Rear
Euclase. Top
Top
Euclase.

ML49AI6
Brazilian Euclase is a classic that must not be missing in any collection and, as a magnificent example, here is this parallel growth of very sharp crystals, colorless with an extraordinary luster and of a considerable length for the species.
The sample is from the Uwe Niemeyer collection (Germany) whose label we’ll send to the buyer.

 
  Euclase


South America (excl. Brazil)

Hutchinsonite with Orpiment and Pyrite  

 

 

Hutchinsonite with Orpiment and Pyrite  
Hutchinsonite with Orpiment and Pyrite. Hutchinsonite with Orpiment and Pyrite.
Hutchinsonite with Orpiment and Pyrite.

TR51AG2
Hutchinsonite is not a common mineral at all. Only in the Quiruvilca Mine hhave good specimens of this rare sulfoarsenide of lead and thallium been found, and although at this time given their relative abundance here it may seem that it is a common species, it is not like that at all. That said, this particular specimen is especially attractive for of the richness of its crystals, its definition and brightness and the contrast with the related Orpiment.

 

Quiruvilca Mine (La Libertad Mine), Quiruvilca District, Santiago de Chuco Province, La Libertad Department
Peru

03/2016


Specimen size: 6.5 × 5 × 3.2 cm = 2.56” × 1.97” × 1.26”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.2 cm = 0.31” × 0.08”



China

  Helvine with Spessartine and Chlorite

Tongbei, Yunxiao, Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province
China

±2004


Specimen size: 3.6 × 3.3 × 3.1 cm = 1.42” × 1.30” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”

Helvine with Spessartine and Chlorite. Helvine with Spessartine and Chlorite.

MR26AJ9
Different from Helvine crystals from other Chinese provenances, these are isolated, sharp and formed by the positive and negative rhombohedron, with the color between dark honey brown and yellow distributed in zones. They are on a matrix coated with orange trapezohedral Spessartine crystals and leafy aggregates of Chlorite. The Helvine has been analyzed and we will send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.

 
  Helvine with Spessartine and Chlorite

Pyromorphite  

 

 

Pyromorphite  
Pyromorphite. Pyromorphite.
Pyromorphite.

AG96AJ9
This beautiful sample is not very large but it possesses a lot of esthetic qualities such as an intense luster, a color of an especially deep and vivid green shade, and the morphological variety of the crystals that varies from the acicular shape to the prismatic habit with pinacoidal terminations or parallel growths of doubly terminated crystals with polycrystalline or hollow terminations. A small jewel from the Silvane collection whose label we will send to the buyer.

 

Daoping Mine, Gongcheng, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
China

05/2000


Former collection of Josep Amigó (Silvane)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 1.9 × 2.9 cm = 1.85” × 0.75” × 1.14”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.7 cm = 0.39” × 0.28”


  Roweite with Olshanskyite and Magnetite

Shijiangshan Mine, Yinwu, Linxi, Ulanhad League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
China

04/2017


Specimen size: 5 × 3.6 × 3.8 cm = 1.97” × 1.42” × 1.50”

Roweite with Olshanskyite and Magnetite. Roweite with Olshanskyite and Magnetite.
Roweite with Olshanskyite and Magnetite. Magnetite
Magnetite

ED18AH3
Mineral rarities can also have particular beauty, as is the case of these rare borates coexisting on the same sample, where the lenticular Roweite crystals, with an orange color and of great size and quality for what has been known of this species, are with radial aggregates of very sharp, colorless, clear and very bright Olshanskyite crystals plus also ornate by Calcite and nice Magnetite! The quality of the specimens is undoubtedly superior to what was previously known, both for the individuality of the Roweite crystals and for their sharpness, but also for their size and their association with first class Olshanskyite which makes them deserving to be in the best private collections and museums. We have analyzed specimens to confirm the identity of the species and we will send a copy of the different analyses to buyers.

 
  Roweite with Olshanskyite and Magnetite

Beryl with Muscovite  

 

 

Beryl with Muscovite  
Beryl with Muscovite. Beryl with Muscovite.
Beryl with Muscovite.

MT90AJ6
The Xuebaoding Beryl is characterized by its tabular morphology, well known but not common for the species. The crystals are transparent to translucent and have a very attractive and uniform light sky blue color and are on a matrix of Muscovite crystals.

 

Mount Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province
China

2017

Slight fluorescence in the corners

Specimen size: 10.9 × 8.2 × 3.7 cm = 4.29” × 3.23” × 1.46”

Main crystal size: 5.2 × 2.8 cm = 2.05” × 1.10”


  Cassiterite with Muscovite

Mount Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province
China

2017


Specimen size: 3.8 × 2.7 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 1.06” × 0.79”

Cassiterite with Muscovite. Front
Front
Cassiterite with Muscovite. Side
Side
Cassiterite with Muscovite. Top
Top

NH66AH3
Geometry and a very intense luster characterize this twin of two crystals, a twin that is splendidly well defined and that has the added “touch” of very sharp laminar and perfectly defined Muscovite crystals.

 
  Cassiterite with Muscovite

Hemimorphite  

 

 

Hemimorphite  
Hemimorphite. Hemimorphite.
Hemimorphite.

TF90AH3
Among the many and nice incentives that Chinese mining has provided us in recent years there are some scarce samples of botryoidal Hemimorphite with an especially intense and vivid blue color, with a surprising resemblance to the classic and very well known samples from the Sa Duchessa mine, in Sardinia.
The specimen has been published in the book 'China II', by Berthold Ottens, on page 369

 

Wenshan, Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
China


Former collection of José Luis Vallecillo

Specimen size: 12.2 × 9.8 × 5.7 cm = 4.80” × 3.86” × 2.24”


  Calcite with inclusions

Lishui Prefecture, Zhejiang Province
China

2009


Specimen size: 5.3 × 4.8 × 2.4 cm = 2.09” × 1.89” × 0.94”

Calcite with inclusions. Front
Front
Calcite with inclusions. Side
Side
Calcite with inclusions. Calcite with inclusions.

TX28AG1
In 2009, very curious Calcites with milky tops and bottoms, transparent lateral faces and "jungles" of inclusions of what seems to be a kind of mud, appeared in China. As fast as they appeared they disappeared and as far as I know it was never known exactly where they came from beyond "Lishui." This is a good example of this unusual find.

 
  Calcite with inclusions


Asia (excl. China) - Australia

Mimetite with Calcite  

 

 

Mimetite with Calcite  
Mimetite with Calcite. Front
Front
Mimetite with Calcite. Side
Side
Mimetite with Calcite.

TB87AH3
The luster, the finesse and the definition and the length of its crystals should be enough to consider the sample on a rank of very good quality, and more if we add an excellent esthetic profile that is especially photogenic.
This specimen was published on the Mineralogical Record´s web page, in the ‘What's New’ section, report 49, May 7, 2018 edition.

 

Gowd Mine, Anarak District, Nain, Isfahan Province
Iran

08/2015


Specimen size: 3.5 × 3 × 2.7 cm = 1.38” × 1.18” × 1.06”

Main crystal size: 1 × 1 cm = 0.39” × 0.39”


  Chromium-rich Mimetite with Cerussite

Nakhlak Mine, ↓200 m., Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak District, Nain, Isfahan Province
Iran

01/2015


Fluorescent short UV

Specimen size: 6.5 × 6.3 × 3.7 cm = 2.56” × 2.48” × 1.46”

Chromium-rich Mimetite with Cerussite. Chromium-rich Mimetite with Cerussite.
Chromium-rich Mimetite with Cerussite.

EB50AH3
Different and aesthetic. Aggregates of cyclic twins of tabular Cerussite crystals that are finely bordered by very thin and acute Mimetite microcrystals with a very vivid orange-red color. These Mimetites have been analyzed and have proven to be a rare chromium-rich variety. We'll send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.

 
  Chromium-rich Mimetite with Cerussite

Twinned Cerussite  

 

 

Twinned Cerussite  
Twinned Cerussite. Front
Front
Twinned Cerussite. Rear
Rear

TH96AJ9
We must especially note the esthetic quality of this kind of floater Cerussite aggregates forming multiple twins of very sharp crystals that are between laminar and tabular, transparent, very bright and more neat and perfect than most of the samples from this locality.

 

Nakhlak Mine, ↓180 m., Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak District, Nain, Isfahan Province
Iran

03/2016


Fluorescent short UV

Specimen size: 4.1 × 3.5 × 2.7 cm = 1.61” × 1.38” × 1.06”


  Twinned Cerussite

Nakhlak Mine, ↓180 m., Madan-e Nakhlak, Anarak District, Nain, Isfahan Province
Iran

03/2016


Fluorescent short UV

Specimen size: 4.6 × 3.3 × 3.2 cm = 1.81” × 1.30” × 1.26”

Twinned Cerussite. Front
Front
Twinned Cerussite. Rear
Rear

TP86AJ9
We must especially note the esthetic quality of this kind of floater Cerussite aggregates forming multiple twins of very sharp crystals that are between laminar and tabular, transparent, very bright and more neat and perfect than most of the samples from this locality.

 
  Twinned Cerussite

Willemite after Descloizite with Mimetite and Hemimorphite  

 

 

Willemite after Descloizite with Mimetite and Hemimorphite  
Willemite after Descloizite with Mimetite and Hemimorphite. Willemite after Descloizite with Mimetite and Hemimorphite.

MK87AJ9
Very aerial and esthetic arborescent and flattened growth of Willemite crystals after Descloizite, partially coated by small barrel-shaped Mimetite crystals, a lot of them doubly terminated, with an intense reddish yellow color.

 

Chah Milleh Mine, Chah Milleh, Anarak District, Nain, Isfahan Province
Iran

08/2015


Fluorescent short UV

Specimen size: 7.6 × 5.4 × 5.3 cm = 2.99” × 2.13” × 2.09”

Main crystal size: 3.2 × 3 cm = 1.26” × 1.18”


  Copper

Boddington Mine, Boddington, Peel, Western Australia
Australia


Specimen size: 9.5 × 5.1 × 4.2 cm = 3.74” × 2.01” × 1.65”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 0.20” × 0.16”

Copper. Front
Front
Copper. Rear
Rear
Copper.

MP7AH3
The sample is from a locality that is unusual in non-Australian collections. It is aesthetic, with dendritic growths of equant crystals that are very rich in forms with very well defined faces of the predominant dodecahedron. An infrequent mineral curiosity.

 
  Copper

Gold  

 

 

Gold  
Gold. Gold. Front
Front

TZ43AJ6
The sample is very rich with Gold with arborescent crystalline and skeletal forms on a Quartz matrix. We will send the sample it in its original Perkin’s box from the R.J. Noble collection, also containing the collection label on which appears the note: Kalgoorlie, 2004, 13.8 grams net.

 

Idaho South pit, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire, Western Australia
Australia

Weight: 13.8 grams
Former collection of Bob Noble

Specimen size: 2.2 × 2 × 1.7 cm = 0.87” × 0.79” × 0.67”




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