China!
After 3 years, China finally opened its border, so I went to visit my girlfriend who was temporarily staying in her hometown near Pingjiang Co, northeastern Hunan. If this location sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same place that the autunite came from, though that mine is closed and the government has prohibited collecting— and quite frankly it’s a good thing because the stuff is dangerous and people were being way too careless— in fact the guy who first discovered it died of cancer in 2021. Pingjiang is also near Daye / Tonglushan and Changsha, so we took a couple trips to look for rocks. Overall, the Chinese mineral market has definitely changed since before the epidemic, though I find that’s been the case in nearly every country I have visited. So, with a little extra work, the rocks appear at prices where I can offer them reasonably— a lot of times folks ask more than what I would. Please note, this items on this page ship from China— shipping cannot be combined with other items on the website, and shipping will be a flat $16 to the USA, other countries please inquire. They will arrive via Fedex, DHL, or UPS— ShenFung (the Chinese courier equivalent) contracts out to these companies for final delivery and it’s much faster then regular post.
List
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NLC01 Silver
Linqu, Weifang Prefecture, Shandong Province China
7.8x4.5x 5.1 cm
$1280
A beautiful silver specimen from a relatively recent find in China. This piece is quite sculptural, with a number of wires rising out of a matrix shared with calcite crystals. It also has a little bit of calcite clinging to one of the wires.
Good silver wire specimens are not really discovered that often-- if you think about it, you have the(very very expensive) antique European finds, Uchucchacua (which hasn't produced good ones in over a decade) and then occasional, semi-oldish examples from low production localities in Colorado or Bolivia. These chines specimens are an excellent example of the species, for the price!
NLC02 Silver
Linqu, Weifang Prefecture, Shandong Province China
5.6x 4.4x 3.1 cm
$985
A beautiful and very rich silver specimen from a relatively recent find in China.
Good silver wire specimens are not really discovered that often-- if you think about it, you have the(very very expensive) antique European finds, Uchucchacua (which hasn't produced good ones in over a decade) and then occasional, semi-oldish examples from low production localities in Colorado or Bolivia. These chines specimens are an excellent example of the species, for the price!
NLC03 Pyrite ps. Chalcopyrite on Quartz
Fengjiashan Mine, Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
11.1x 7.0x 6.9 cm
$565
A very unusual pseudomorph from a prolific mine, I can't say I've seen another like it before. This appears to have once been a large chalcopyrite crystal, though it has pseudomorphed into pyrite. It still retains the original tetrahedral form, though if you look closely you can see that it now consists of numerous small pyrite crystals. This is all siting nicely on a matrix of quartz crystals.
NLC04 Fluorite, Quartz, Ferberite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
8.0x 6.2x 3.2 cm
$585
A beautiful example of fluorite from the Yaogangxian Mine, this one is accompanied by ferberite and quartz. The crystals all show very sharp purple phantoms near the edges, and the crystals are positioned quite nicely. It displays nearly perfectly from the front, there is some cleaving on the back/ side.
NLC05 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
6.3x 4.6x 4.2 cm
$545
A beautiful and quite transparent fluorite crystals, showing decent purplish phantoms and a nice light blue color. Very lustrous!
NLC06 Scheelite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
7.6x 5.6x 4.1 cm
$385
A very large (for this mine) scheelite crystal nicely positioned on a quartz matrix. At 2.3 cm, it is larger than most that come from this mine-- the average usually hovers just under 1 cm. There is also a second crystal not he right hand side of the specimen.
NLC07 Calcite (Twinned!)
Tonglushan Mine, Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
9.0x 7.0x 5.3 cm
$565
A twinned calcite crystal nicely positioned at the center of its matrix. This piece really stood out when I was walking around in the market-- the mines around Daye produce a lot of very interesting calcites, but twins are not especially common-- and most of the examples I have seen are included with iron oxide or other materials. This one is unusually clear, and very lustrous. A couple peripheral crystals have cleaves, but the main crystal is perfect!
NLC08 Fluorite with Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
9.6x 6.6x 4.5 cm
$495
A nice example of purple fluorite on quartz, from the Yaogangxian Mine. This one has a pair pf purple crystals poisoned not he top of a matrix shared with numerous quartz crystals, some of whichsrow rather clear phantoms.
NLC09 Fluorite with Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
8.2x 6.2x 3.4 cm
$395
A nice cluster of bluish-purple fluorite crystals with quartz and a ferberite, from the Yaogangxian Mine.
NLC10 Calcite with Chalcopyrite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
5.4x 4.6x 2.3 cm
$235
A very beautiful doubly terminated calcite crystal on a pillar of matrix, the calcite is complete all around and the matrix has slight chalcopyrite accents.
NLC11 Djurleite on Chalcocite
Tonglushan Mine, Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
10.3x 7.7x 4.5 cm
$395
A decently sized example of this unusual material found a few years ago. This one displays blue and purple iridescence, the color is not as vivid as some, but it's a rather large matrix example for the price. with decent arrangement of the stalactites!
NLC12 Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
7.6x 3.5x 2.7 cm
$220
A pretty example of fluorite on quartz from Yaogangxian. This one has an outer layer of blue, with purple corners. There is a small chip on the corner of the fluorite, so it is priced accordingly
NLC13 Sphalerite with Galena
Huxu Mine, Dongxiang, Fuzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China
7.3x. 5.8x 3.8 cm
$375
A nice example of this relatively new material from Jiangxi-- translucent orange-brown sphalerite crystals on matrix. This one also has a few galena crystals present.
NLC14 Sphalerite
Huxu Mine, Dongxiang, Fuzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China
5.3x 5.1x 3.6 cm
$285
A nice example of sphalerite from a relatively new find-- this piece has a pair of translucent orange crystals nicely positioned on the top of the matrix. Interestingly, it seems to have something resembling a phantom that becomes visible with strong lighting.
NLC15 Barite, Yttrofluorite on Fluorite
Dachang Sn-Polymetallic Ore Field, Nandan Co., Hechi Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
12.0x 9.4x 4.8 cm
$425
A very unusual rock-- purple yttrofluorite coating calcite has been around for a couple years now, but on this specimen the yttrofluorite has grown over a cluster of barite and greenish fluorite.
NLC16 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
14.6x 12.0x 8.2 cm
$335
A large cluster of the calcite style typical of this mine-- scalenohedrons with iron oxide inclusions and overgrowths of calcite from later generations. I think the main crystal in the middle might be a twin, but I'm not 100% certain.
NLC18 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
7.3x 4.3x 4.3 cm
$200
A very beautiful group of lustrous, iron oxide included calcite crystals on slice of matrix. This piece is quit sculptural, and shows interesting features from multiple angles.
NLC19 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
6.8x 5.8x 3.3 cm
$168
A beautiful arrangement of flower-like calcite clusters, with a light reddish brown color caused by iron oxide inclusions.
NLC20 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
5.6x 3.3x 2.5 cm
$165
A very beautiful calcite crystal with a very faint pinkish-orange hue, on a matrix covered with smaller calcite crystals and minor chalcopyrite.
NLC21 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
9.4x 7.4x 3.4 cm
$225
A very beautiful calcite crystal with a very faint pinkish-orange hue, on a matrix covered with smaller calcite crystals. The main crystal is perfect, some of the matrix ones are sheared
NLC22 Calcite
Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
10.8x 6.5x 6.3 cm
$285
A great example of what is often referred to as "pagoda calcite", though with a slightly different appearance. This piece has a number of scalenohedrons stained by iron oxide inclusions, with overgrowths of more translucent, lighter colored calcite near the terminations. Sawn base/ sides
NLC23 Fluorite on Quartz
Xiefang Mine, Ruijin Co., Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
9.9x 6.9x 2.4 cm
$165
A nice example of green fluorite on matrix, from Ruin County. Most tend to have the fluorite somewhat clumped together, I liked the fact that there were actually disting crystals on this one, along with the main cluster on the crest of the specimen. With he correct lighting, the green is actually quite bright.
NLC24 Galena
Huxu Mine, Dongxiang, Fuzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China
6.1x 5.8x 5.1 cm
$335
A rather unusual Chinese specimen-- while china has produced great examples of almost every "major" species , galena seems to be one species that was largely absent from the Chinese mineral boom. It is occasionally seen s an accessory with he Shuikoushan sphalerites, but I can't recall seeing good Chinese galena specimens(in their own right) very many times. This one is a chunky cubic crystal, with an overgrowth of reddish quartz in some areas.
NLC25 Galena
Huxu Mine, Dongxiang, Fuzhou Pref., Jiangxi Prov., China
11.0x 6.0x 3.9 cm
$385
A rather unusual Chinese specimen-- while china has produced great examples of almost every "major" species , galena seems to be one species that was largely absent from the Chinese mineral boom. It is occasionally seen s an accessory with he Shuikoushan sphalerites, but I can't recall seeing good Chinese galena specimens(in their own right) very many times. This one is a chunky cubic crystal, with an overgrowth of reddish quartz in some areas.
NLC26 Fluoriteon Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
4.3x 2.9x 2.4 cm
$300
A beautiful purple fluorite crystal nicely perched on a matrix covered with quartz crystals.
NLC27 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
5.3x 3.1x 2.4 cm
$200
A very sharp purple/green fluorite crystal on a dark matrix. Slightly darker because of the matrix color, but with good lighting it shows a very unsure color combination for the locatoin-- green hues are not especially common from Yaogangxian.
NLC28 Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
4.8x 3.1x 2.5 cm
$165
A sharp purple fluorite on matrix, with quartz. Not perfect, but decent for the location.
NLC29 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
2.5x 2.3x 2.4 cm
$300
A great Yaogangxian miniature-- this piece has top luster, a light bluish outer layer and vivid purple phantoms. With a little lighting, this one is particularly great!
NLC30 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
2.5x2.2x 1.9 cm
$175
A great "toenail" sized fluorite from Yaogangxian-- it does fit in a perky box but for the safety of the specimen's corners, I would advise against it. This one has great luster and exceptional clarity, you can see the light bluish outer layer and purple phantoms within.
NLC31 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
3.5x 2.7x 1.8 cm
$165
An unusual fluorite crystal from Yaogangxian--this has particularly good transparency, with the usual light blue color and purple phantoms-- but what made this one (and a couple others like it that I obtained) stand out was the odd pinkish core. The back is a mixture of etching and contacting.
NLC32 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
3.0x 2.3x 1.5 cm
$135
An unusual fluorite crystal from Yaogangxian--this has particularly good transparency, with the usual light blue color-- but what made this one (and a couple others like it that I obtained) stand out was the odd pinkish core.
NLC32A Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China
2.9x 2.2x 2.1 cm
$168
A beautiful blue/purple fluorite from Yaogangxian, with a clear phantom. With a bit of backlighting (or just strong lighting, as in the photographs) the color on this one is very good!
NLC33 Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
3.1x 2.9x 1.9 cm
$125
A nice fluorite crystal on a quartz matrix. The fluorite has some internal fractures, but no external damage.
NLC35 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China
2.9x 2.4x 1.4 cm
$125
A nice thumbnail sized fluorite from Yaogangxian, this one has a light blue outer layer, clear phantoms, and most interestingly, a pinkish core-- that's rather unusual for Yaogangxian. Contacted on the back
NLC36 Fluorite
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China
2.3x 2.2x 1.7 cm
$95
A beautiful, light blue fluorite crystal showing some phantoms and very good transparency, from Yaogangxian. There are some small dings.
NLC37 Fluorite and Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China
2.2x 2.1x 2.6 cm
$98
A cute little thumbnail of fluorite with quartz, from the Yaogangxian Mine. This one has a pinkish core, which is unusual for the location.
NLC38 Molybdenite
Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.1x 2.4x 2.6 cm
$135
A good example of molybdenite from China. Chinese molybdenite is not new, but this is the first time I have seen these ore robust, well-formed books. Previous discoveries have included some very large crystals, but they have generally been somewhat flat, or lying on their matrixes. This is more reminiscent of the old Tae-Hwa/ Work style.
NLC39 Molybdenite
Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
3.6x 2.3x 2.3 cm
$125
A good example of molybdenite from China. Chinese molybdenite is not new, but this is the first time I have seen these ore robust, well-formed books. Previous discoveries have included some very large crystals, but they have generally been somewhat flat, or lying on their matrixes. This is more reminiscent of the old Tae-Hwa/ Work style.
