Sold Specimens,
Gallery C
Galleries
of Sold Specimens:
A
B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R S T
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XY
Z
Agates Sold Calcites Sold Mont St-Hilaire Sold
NOTE: Calcites have been moved to: Calcites Sold
NOTE:
Carletonite & Charmarite from Mont St-Hilaire
have been moved to Mont
St-Hilaire Sold
click on images
for larger views
WEL9-1 Calcian Harmotome var. Wellsite $75 SOLD
Calvarina
Mt., Roncà, Verona Province, Veneto, Italy
3.2 cm x 3.1 cm x 3.1 cm
Orange crystals in
a vug in basalt, known until 1997 as Wellsite : (Ba,Ca,K2)Al2Si6O16·6H2O,
now referred to as Calcian Harmotome : (Ba0.5,Ca0.5,K,Na)5[Al5Si11O32]
·12H2O.
click on images
for larger views
image on left
is 3 x 2.2 mm
image on right is 4 x 2.5 mm
CARA9-1 Caracolite $95 SOLD
Buena
Esperanza Mine, Challacollo, Iquique Province,
Tarapacá Region, Chile
3.1 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm; largest crystals = 5 mm
Note: I had to use a relatively large photo of the overall specimen (top photo) in order to make the rich coverage of colorless Caracolites (Na3Pb2[Cl|(SO4)3]) visible. Although the specimen is small, the pseudohexagonal Caracolites measure up to 5 mm, which is huge for this extremely rare species. Do not wash this piece - Caracolites alter in water.
click on image
for larger view
HEU5-13
Celadonite in Heulandite $40 SOLD
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
5.5 cm x 5.4 cm x 3.4 cm
Heulandite ((Ca,Na)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36•12H2O) gives the form and Celadonite (K(Mg,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Al)[(OH)2|Si4O10]) inclusions give the color to this mineral specimen. Celadonite is quite a rare mineral on its own (I have one specimen from Egypt), so it was surprising to find that it was the source of the color in the green Heulandites, which are fast disappearing from the market. This one still has a bit of matrix stuck to it in an artsy sort of way, the color is rich and dark, and the luster is good.
click on image
for larger view
CLST6-1 Celestine
$18 SOLD
Beineu-Kyr, Tuarkyr, Turkmenistan
3.0 x 2.8 x 2.1 cm
Sharp, smoky Celestine (SrSO4) crystals on a matrix of Hematite-stained Celestine.
ordinary light
click
on image for larger view
SWUV click
on image for larger view
CHCD7-06 Quartz variety Chalcedony $28 SOLD
Yankee Dog Claim, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico
10 x 4.5 x 6 cm
These Chalcedony nodules from the Yankee Dog Claim have to be some of the most oddly-shaped mineral specimens ever, and this particular one looks like a mouth with a tongue! Under SWUV it is brilliant green. It responds a little under LWUV, but not as brightly.
ordinary light
click on
images for larger views
SWUV
CHCD7-09 Quartz variety Chalcedony $25 SOLD
Yankee Dog Claim, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico
6 x 6.2 x 4 cm
Here's another geode-like Chalcedony specimen from the Yankee Dog Claim with a nice wide rim that fluoresces brilliant green under SWUV. It responds a little under LWUV, but not as brightly.
click on image
for larger view
FOV= 10
mm x 8 mm
click on images for larger view
FOV= 4
mm x 3 mm
CCAL9-1
Chalcoalumite $68 SOLD
Grand View Mine, Cape Royal, Horseshoe Mesa, Grand Canyon National Park,
Coconino Co., Arizona
6.6 cm x 7.2 cm x 4.2 cm
I
can't wait for WalMart to lower the prices on Raman spectrometers so
I can afford one. This specimen obviously has a lot more going
on in it than just Chalcoalumite (CuAl4[(OH)12|SO4]
· 3H2O), which accounts for the blue-green balls,
but I won't speculate on what else may be there. The Grand View
Mine was only worked from 1893 until 1916, and since it is now in a
national park, nothing further can be removed from it.
click on image
for larger view
CCC9-16
Chalcocite $14
SOLD
Coca-Cola Mine, Talcuna Cu-Mn-Ag Mining District, La Serena,
Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile
1.1 cm x 0.9 cm x 0.6 cm
A tiny but sharp Chalcocite (Cu2S) from a mine whose name you'll never forget.
click on image
for larger view
CCC6-2
Chalcocite, Bornite & unknown $95 SOLD
Dzhezkazgan Mine, Dzhezkazgan, Zhezqazghan Oblysy, Kazakhstan
8 cm x 7.9 cm x 3.2 cm
Chunky rounded Bornite (Cu5FeS4) crystals to 1 cm and angular Chalcocite (Cu2S) crystals to 0.8 cm are strewn over a matrix of Calcite, accompanied by some spindly crystals that were identified as a Chalcocite pseudomorph of Stromeyerite (AgCuS) by the person who sold me this piece. Silver is indeed found at Dzhezkazgan and the shape of the crystals seems consistent with the shape of Stromeyerite, so that claim is plausible. But Chalcocite can also occur in acicular habits, so another possibility is that there are two contrasting habits of Chalcocite present on this specimen. Either way, an extremely interesting assemblage of copper sulfides.
click on left
image for larger view
images on right are ~10 x 8 mm
CHKAL10-1 Chkalovite (TL) on Villiaumite $125 SOLD
Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast',
Northern Region, Russia
3.5 cm x 3.0 cm x 2.3 cm; size of Chkalovite = 5 mm
A large, extremely rare, colorless Chkalovite (Na2BeSi2O6) well-placed on a sizable, dark-red Villiaumite (NaF) - two rare minerals in a super association piece. Along the right-hand side are three photos attempting to show the details of the Chkalovite, which is difficult for a water-clear crystal like that. Note that I have shown the specimen in a larger view (left photo) than I normally would have for this size specimen, in order to have the Chkalovite be clearly visible. Do not wash this piece - Villiaumite can alter in water.
top view - click
on image for larger view - side
view
CrS8-1
Chrome Slag $35 SOLD
Smelter at Vargön Alloys AB, Vargön, Västra Götaland,
Sweden
6.3 cm x 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm; crystal size = 0.7 cm
This is one for the person who is interested in industrial uses of minerals. There is an abundance of delicate sail-shaped crystals of a smelter product that is undoubtedly high in chrome content, since the crystals are about the same color as Chromian Clinochlore or Chromian Amesite. The matrix also has flecks of purple and a metallic scent. Vargön Alloys is one of Europe’s largest producers of ferro chrome and has an interesting website to peruse:
Click here to visit Vargön Alloy's Website
click on image
for larger view
CIN6-1 Cinnabar on Dolomite $25 SOLD
Chatian Mine, Fenghuang Co., Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
5 cm x 3.6 cm x 1.2 cm; crystal is 1 cm on diagonal
A nice tabular red Cinnabar (HgS) on contrasting white Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) from what is now the classic Cinnabar location.
click on image
for larger view
CoD8-1
Cobaltoan Dolomite $150 SOLD
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
1.7 cm x 4.2 cm x 1.2 cm
This bright pink Dolomite ((Ca,Mg,Co)CO3) toenail from a classic locality fluoresces pink-red under SWUV. While looking at this piece, I saw a picture in its shape – a student at a desk, raising his hand. Click here to see what I saw: KID
click on image
for larger view
CoDOL9-1 Cobaltoan Dolomite with Malachite $55 SOLD
L'Etoile du Congo Mine, Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo
4.8 cm x 3 cm x 2.5 cm
Green tufts of Malachite (Cu2[(OH)2|CO3]) situated on pink Cobaltoan Dolomite ((Ca,Mg,Co)CO3) make an eye-catching miniature.
click on image
for larger view
COLE5-3
Colemanite (TL) $45 SOLD
Boraxo Pit, Furnace Creek District, Death Valley, Inyo Co., California
6.5 cm x 6 cm x 5.5 cm
A chunky Colemanite (Ca[B3O4(OH)3] • H2O) specimen from the type locality. Most Colemanites are of the bladed habit, but Furnace Creek Colemanites are blocky, with silky surfaces. Under SWUV it fluoresces cream white and phosphoresces for a few seconds after the lamp is turned off. Under LWUV, the fluorescence is slightly yellow-orange. The main crystal is 4 cm wide with at least a dozen smaller crystals attached. It was collected by James and Dawn Minette in the 1970’s.
click on image
for larger view
COQ10-1 Coquimbite, Copiapite, Halotrichite, Alunogen & Römerite $125 SOLD
Javier Mine, Ayacucho Department, Peru
6.0 cm x 5.5 cm x 4.0 cm
One of the big finds of Tucson - especially if you are, like me, a lover of the unusual - were the large purple Coquimbites (Fe2(SO4)3·9H2O) that hard-working Jaroslav Hyrsl found in Peru right before the show. Their color changes with light source, showing the most purple under fluorescent lamps and becoming somewhat brownish under sunlight. This specimen also has yellow patches of Copiapite : Fe2+Fe3+4[OH|(SO4)3]2· 20H2O, fibrous white tufts of Halotrichite : FeAl2(SO4)4·22H2O, platy white Alunogen : Al2(SO4)3·17H2O and red-brown Römerite : Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4·14H2O, visible to the left of the large hexagonal crystals in the photo. These Coquimbites are about as good as the species gets.
click on image
for larger view
COQ10-2 Coquimbite, Copiapite, Alunogen & Chalcanthite $55 SOLD
Javier Mine, Ayacucho Department, Peru
4.2 cm x 2.4 cm x 4.0 cm
Nice hexagonal purple Coquimbites, a bit of yellow Copiapite, platy white Alunogen, and a speck of bright blue Chalcanthite : CuSO4·5H2O (visible right of center, on the lower portion of the photo).
click on image
for larger view
COQ10-3 Coquimbite, Copiapite, Alunogen & Chalcanthite $45 SOLD
Javier Mine, Ayacucho Department, Peru
3.8 cm x 3.2 cm x 2.2 cm
Nice hexagonal, deep purple Coquimbites, a bit of yellow Copiapite, large platy white Alunogen, and one tiny, bright blue speck of Chalcanthite.
click on image
for larger view
CORAL11-1 Red Coral $18 SOLD
Spanish Mediterranean Coast
5.6 cm x 2.2 cm x 0.5 cm
Red Mediterranean coral, brought to Tucson by Josep Sanchez-LaFuente i Mariol, who displayed the collection authorization letter from the Spanish government. Since corals produce calcium carbonate exoskeletons, this is actually a form of Calcite.
click on image
for larger view
CORAL11-2 Red Coral $18 SOLD
Spanish Mediterranean Coast
4.2 cm x 3.6 cm x 0.5 cm
Red Mediterranean coral, brought to Tucson by Josep Sanchez-LaFuente i Mariol, who displayed the collection authorization letter from the Spanish government. Since corals produce calcium carbonate exoskeletons, this is actually a form of Calcite.
click on image
for larger view
CORN8-1
Cornetite (TL) $38 SOLD
L'Etoile du Congo Mine, Katanga, Katanga Copper Crescent
Democratic Republic of Congo
6.1 cm x 6.1 cm x 1.3 cm
From the type locality, an older style of Cornetite (Cu3[(OH)3|PO4]) in which the crystals are flat-lying and separated. There are crystals on five sides, with the highest crystal density on the front. Very interesting with a loupe or microscope, yet pretty enough for display.
click on image
for larger view
CRAN10-1
Crandallite on Magnesite with Topaz $38 SOLD
Brumado,
Bahia, Brazil
2.9 cm x 2.2 cm x 1.3 cm
Tan rhombs of Crandallite : CaAl3[(OH)5|(PO4)2] · H2O perched on clear Magnesite : MgCO3 with an occasional small, clear Topaz : Al2[(F,OH)2|SiO4] mixed in. The label also lists Dravite, although I can't see any. There is a very esthetic 1-cm Magnesite on the right hand side of the specimen. Most places, Crandallite occurs as crusts, matted sprays or micro crystals. It looks like the best crystals come from Brumado.
click on image
for larger view
CRYP10-1 Cryptomelane $48 SOLD
São
Geraldo do Baixio, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
3.5 cm x 3.0 cm x 2.8 cm
A striking specimen of Cryptomelane : K(Mn4+,Mn2+)8O16 that looks like an escapee from the movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas.
click on image
for larger view
CoR11-1 Cummingtonite on Rhodonite $32 SOLD
Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, Brazil
10.5 cm x 5.5 cm x 2.8 cm
Fibrous gray amphibole, Cummingtonite (Mg2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2), on crystalized Rhodonite (MnSiO3), from a Manganese mine opened in 1894; this is my best piece of this type.
click on image
for larger view
ADAM9-1 Cuprian Adamite on Goethite, "The Baseball" SOLD
Gold
Hill, Gold Hill District, Deep Creek Mts, Tooele Co., Utah
2.5 cm x 1.7 cm x 1.4 cm
A perfect ball of sparkling, blue-green Cuprian Adamite crystals ((Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH) nestled in a mass of Goethite (α-Fe3+O(OH)) that looks like a baseball glove! A great piece for a USA collection or a sports lover, and a very unique Adamite from a classic Utah location.
click on image
for larger view
CuADM6-3
Cuprian Adamite $26
SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Mun. de Mapimí, Durango, Mexico
4.1 cm x 3.2
cm x 1.1 cm
Intense, deep green, botryoidal Cuprian Adamite ((Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH) forms a crust on the gossan matrix of this specimen. I read that the deep green was a small, one-time find. There are a few colorless Calcites associated with the Cuprian Adamite, as can be seen in the detail photograph on the right.
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