Mixed Minerals!

A rare large cabinet rhodochrosite from the Inakuraishi Mine.  Like most of the Japanese mines that produced specimens, this one is long closed-- it was the site of the largest manganese deposit in Japan and as far as I can tell operated up until the late 1970's.  It seems that today, most Japanese rhodochrosites that one encounters are the botryoidal sort from Oppu, crystalline examples (from anywhere) are considerably rarer as are pieces from this mine. 

A very rare large cabinet sized example of *crystalized* rhodochrosite from one of the rarer rhodo localities in Japan.   To begin with, there has been almost no new Japanese rhodochrosite collected in approximately 40 years, so the material has never been particularly abundant-- but almost all of the rhodochrosite seen on the market comes from Oppu.  The Oppu pieces and to be botryoidal, and almost never exhibit crystals.  Pieces from Osarizawa are considerably rarer-- in fact, the mine was only operational from 1936 to 1965.  Pieces from this locality are notable for usually being crystalline, and sometimes even have a bit of translucency (like this one!).  This is a particularly rich example (and quite sizeble at that!) with the display face entirely covered with small rhombs-- some to about 1 cm. 

A particularly good mimetite example from the Guatomo Mine, deliberately misreported early on as "Hat yai," which is the locality that they are more commonly associated with.  These came out between 1996 and 1998, a few years before the very similar Chinese examples.  This one is quite rich, with numerous yellowish-oranange crystals in a shallow vug. 

A good example of veszelyite from finds made a couple years ago in southwestern China.    This one is particularly rich, with numerous deep blue crystals scattered within a series of angular cavities in the matrix.  It's kind of funny-- for years this species was nearly impossible to get, except for the old pieces from the Black Pine Mine. For the most part, those came out in the 1960's-- then within the span of one year around 2020, there are two major finds in Congo and China. 

A good example of veszelyite from finds made a couple years ago in southwestern China.    This one is particularly rich, with numerous deep blue crystals in a centrally positioned vug.  It's kind of funny-- for years this species was nearly impossible to get, except for the old pieces from the Black Pine Mine. For the most part, those came out in the 1960's-- then within the span of one year around 2020, there are two major finds in Congo and China. 

A particularly beautiful specimen of "QR code" fluorite, not so much for the fluorites themselves but because of their combination with the matrix.  While most tend to be on rock matrixes covered by a thin later of quartz, these fluorites are instead sprinkled on a cluster of barite crystals that have been replaced by quartz.  The piece is not perfect, but I still thought this one stood out for this very unusual and quite pretty combination of color, texture, shape and sparkliness-- all while being quite mineralogically interesting as well. 

A particularly good example of this unusual epimorph, this is a fairly large specimen of the material and consists of a cluster of barite crystals that have been covered by quartz and dissolved away, the form of the barite crystals is quite well preserved.  I purchased a lot of these, this was far and away the best, not only for its size but for the overall form, clarity of the casts, and and lack of damage.

A rare rhodochrosite specimen from the Inakuraishi Mine.  Like most of the Japanese mines that produced specimens, this one is long closed-- it was the site of the largest manganese deposit in Japan and as far as I can tell operated up until the late 1970's.  It seems that today, most Japanese rhodochrosites that one encounters are the botryoidal sort from Oppu, crystalline examples (from anywhere) are considerably rarer as are pieces from this mine. 

A beautiful calcite/ fluorite combination specimen from a recent find.  Some of the calcites from this discovery have had individual crystals reaching almost a foot and a half across, though I prefer pieces that are more manageable!  The problem is, finding pieces where the crystals have the right combination of standing up well (as opposed to being half-grown out of a matrix), pleasantly positioned, with a bit of transparency, and (most importantly) not damaged in exactly the wrong place is not easy! This one has a main crystal surrounded by numerous smaller ones, which are in turn all on a layer of green fluorite that adds a bit of a visual underscore to the piece. This could easily be trimmed to center the main crystal (and remove a bit of scuffing), but I have left it as is. Minor chips on the back of the main crystal, it is perfect on the front. 

A pretty example of a zeolite from an unusual location-- this one is a cluster of acicular natrolite crystals from Tasmania; there seem to also be a number of small analcime crystals scattered around the back and lower edges of the main clusters as well.  I actually like zeolites, it's just that India has produced them in such quality and abundance that it's made many collectors somewhat blasé when it comes to most species in the mineral group. I guess when you start to think of them in terms of locality they they might begin to take on a more Pokemonish "gotta catch 'em all" appeal; especially when delving into species from the less commonly available localities (here, or Washington state for example) which also produce remarkably good examples... 

An excellent miniature sized specimen of crystalline rhodochrosite from the Inakuraishi Mine. This one has a particularly sizable main crystal sitting up in the center of a cluster of more crystals. . 

A specimen of green quartz with colorless calcite "pagodas" from recent finds in Fujian Province. I thought this was quite unusual-- this color and habit of quartz are something I would expect from Inner Mongolia, and this sort of calcite would be more normal from Hunan or Hubei... and yet here we have this piece. Good composition, with the calcites perched at the base of the main quartz clusters.  Sawn back, the calcite fluoresces pink.   

A large molybdenite crystal from Japan.  Like most of the Japanese minerals in this update, this piece is old-- most of the Japanese ore mines closed long ago, and this one comes from a mine that operated from 1931 until 1979.  This is a good example of the species from anywhere, if I were to see this without a label I would have probably guessed it was Australian, considering the size and form.... of course this is much rarer.  

A particularly good calcite specimen from Japan, quite sizable, clean, and can be displayed from multiple angles.  I'm not an expert on Japanese minerals by any means, but I do have a pretty decent "mental inventory" of what I've seen over the years, I can't recall seeing too many Japanese calcites quite this good. Of course if it were Chinese it would be run of the mill and in a random flat with 30 other nearly identical ones... what a difference 1950 miles make 😂.

A great example of henmilite from a find made around 1994-95, I remember sitting at the computer as a broke 3^rd grader reading about these on John Veevaert’s “Trinity Minerals” site marveling at the beautiful deep, inky purple blue on the contrasting white matrix. The story was that a local Japanese mineral club had stumbled upon them while on a collecting trip at a mine worked primarily for materials used in the manufacture of toothpaste.

At this point, 30 years later, they are quite rare and even micros command somewhat high prices—this one has a group of crystals displaying that distinctive inky purplish blue color sprinkled on a white matrix. Good (and decently sizable) example of this rare borate!

A very unusual Japanese sulfide specimen, this one a group of lightly iridescent chalcopyrite tetrahedrons on a plate of quartz crystals.  The chalcopyrites have an overgrowth of smaller chalcopyrite crystals, giving them a particyalrly sparkly appearance. 

A very aesthetic selenite formation on a sliver of matrix, the crystals twist and turn and spiral upward from the bit of host rock, making for a particularly beautiful formation that can be displayed from multiple angles. 

A pretty thumbnail sized specimen of emerald from southwestern China. They are always frozen in matrix, this one has been well prepared and shows good color and form. They are *never* terminated, so as far as these go, this one is pretty good. 

A particularly good matrix example of spessartine garnet from a recent discovery on the northwest side of Erongo mountain. Most of the material coming out are matrixless shards, the primary objective seems to be gem rough though they do preserve specimens, when they successfully extract them.  This one has a number of crystals that have managed to stay on the blady cleavlandite matrix, the largest ones are on the left side of the specimen.  I was told that they come from somewhere on the "Tubussis side," which generally means the slightly northwestern side of the main mountain, I'm not sure the exact location but it must be pretty far out in the middle of nowhere-- I met the workers just as they were coming back from the day's work in a 4x4, the tire was completely destroyed....

A large example of veszelyite from finds made a couple years ago in southwestern China.    This one is particularly rich, with numerous deep blue crystals scattered within a series of angular cavities in the matrix.  It's kind of funny-- for years this species was nearly impossible to get, except for the old pieces from the Black Pine Mine. For the most part, those came out in the 1960's-- then within the span of one year around 2020, there are two major finds in Congo and China. 

A large example of veszelyite from finds made a couple years ago in southwestern China.    This one is particularly rich, with numerous deep blue crystals scattered within a series of angular cavities in the matrix.  It's kind of funny-- for years this species was nearly impossible to get, except for the old pieces from the Black Pine Mine. For the most part, those came out in the 1960's-- then within the span of one year around 2020, there are two major finds in Congo and China. 

A pretty example of fluorite on quartz, the quartz itself is actually two successive growths: first a smoky quartz prism (cross section visible from below) then an overgrowth of hundreds of small white crystals. These have in tun been overgrown by bruish green fluorite, though only on the back and sides. The end result is a quartz crystal that is visually framed by the fluorite, and I thought it made for a particularly pretty display.  There is a lot of wholesale material from this continuing discovery on the market right now, but most are just fluorite cubes randomly positioned on matrix... this one stood out. 

A nice example of well crystallized chalcopyrite from Japan. This is not perfect but you don't often see this sort of material available. Not to mention, the mine was only operational from 1936 to 1965.

A nice example of rhodochrosite from Japan, displaying the typical botryoidal habit.  There is some scuffing. The color does vary a bit with lighting-- you get the best color under incandescent lighting.  What you see pictured is pretty much the worse color you will get out if it.... 

A great example of rhodochrosite from Japan, displaying the typical botryoidal habit.  

A nice example of rhodochrosite from Japan, displaying the typical botryoidal habit.  There is some scuffing. The color does vary a bit with lighting-- you get the best color under incandescent lighting.  What you see pictured is pretty much the worse color you will get out if it.... 

A rare example of rhodochrosite from the Osarizawa Mine. To begin with, there has been almost no new Japanese rhodochrosite collected in approximately 35 years, so the material has never been particularly abundant-- but almost all of the rhodochrosite seen on the market comes from Oppu.  The Oppu pieces and to be botryoidal, and almost never exhibit crystals.  Pieces from Osarizawa are considerably more scarce-- in fact, the mine was only operational from 1936 to 1965.  Pieces from this locality are notable for usually being crystalline-- and this is a rather rich example.

A rare example of rhodochrosite from the Osarizawa Mine. To begin with, there has been almost no new Japanese rhodochrosite collected in approximately 35 years, so the material has never been particularly abundant-- but almost all of the rhodochrosite seen on the market comes from Oppu.  The Oppu pieces and to be botryoidal, and almost never exhibit crystals.  Pieces from Osarizawa are considerably more scarce-- in fact, the mine was only operational from 1936 to 1965.  Pieces from this locality are notable for usually being crystalline-- and this is a rather rich example.

A very pretty example of "QR code" fluorites on matrix.  This one has hundreds of small crystals with the color concentrated on the edges, enveloping a contrasting white matrix. Viewed from a normal distance, the contrast created by the color and clustering of the fluorites with the underlying matrix makes it stand out; viewed more closely you can appreciate the sharp cubes with their very heavy outlines, giving them a satisfying, dice-like appearance.

A cluster of garnets from an unusual locality--Fukushima prefecture, perhaps best known for the Tsunami and nuclear power plant issues.  This piece comes from a small town in south eastern portion the same prefecture (not the larger city of the same name.). From anywhere else this would be a standard garnet, but given the locality I thought it might appeal niche collectors of either garnets or Japanese minerals. 

Despite the fact that the overabundance of Indian zeolites has overshadowed and dampened the appeal of (nearly) the entire family of minerals, I do feel that when taken on a locality-by-locality basis, these boringly colored, often very similar zeolite species have the ability ignite that "gotta-catch-em-all" mentality common to collectors of various things.  I do like weird zeolites, when I see examples from places I have never seen before I often buy them.  Here is a Japanese one-- I don't know how common this is (or isn't) but i cant recall ever coming across another from this locality, so, here it is. 

An orthoclase specimen from an unusual locality in South Korea.  You don't see a lot of minerals from this country, mainly just molybdenite/scheelite/ferbertie or amethyst pulled out in the 1980's from a couple of localities. I thought this was unusual enough to post. 

A very pretty calcite from a recent find, this one has an annoyingly slanted base but the inclusions were so nice I decided to post it anyway.  These come from a recent find somewhere in Hunan Province, I have heard Shikoushan Mine given as the precise location, but I am not sure.  At first glance they look like typical material from the Daye area, but when you look closely you start to notice differences-- much more complex phantoms, and on some like this one, there is even included pyrite.  This one has a red phantom, with pyrite crystalized over it-- and this has all been encased in a later generation of much more transparent calcite. 

A very pretty calcite from a recent find, somewhere in Hunan Province. I have heard Shikoushan Mine given as the precise location, but I am not sure.  At first glance they look like typical material from the Daye area, but when you look closely you start to notice differences-- much more complex phantoms, and on some like this one, there is even included pyrite.  This one has a red phantom, with pyrite crystalized over it-- and this has all been encased in a later generation of much more transparent calcite. 

A very pretty calcite from a recent find, somewhere in Hunan Province. I have heard Shikoushan Mine given as the precise location, but I am not sure.  At first glance they look like typical material from the Daye area, but when you look closely you start to notice differences-- much more complex phantoms, and on some like this one, there is even included pyrite.  This one has a red phantom, with pyrite crystalized over it-- and this has all been encased in a later generation of much more transparent calcite. 

A very pretty calcite from a recent find, somewhere in Hunan Province. I have heard Shikoushan Mine given as the precise location, but I am not sure.  At first glance they look like typical material from the Daye area, but when you look closely you start to notice differences-- much more complex phantoms, and on some like this one, there is even included pyrite.  This one has is cleaved on the bottom so it is a bit shallow, but this also makes it easier to see the multiple phantoms (some red and some more sulfide-rich) and tiny pyrite inclusions.  

A large, chunky, and well terminated orthoclase crystal from Japan.

A very sharp, terminated feldspar crystal from Japan. 

A sharp microcline crystal from Japan, this one has a little one clinging to the base. 

A Japanese fluorite specimen. Considering how common this mineral is worldwide and Japan's long mining history, you would think there would be more of this stuff floating around, but there just isn't.  This is by no means a fantastic fluorite, but it is quite interesting to see one from this country.  This one has numerous light green octahedrons on a bit of matrix-- a bit messy but you can easily make out the main crystal. 

A nice example of fluorite on quartz, from a recent find.  This one has numerous small purple octahedrons sprinkled around a cluster of quite quartz crystals-- it's not perfect, but a good representative nonetheless.

A pretty thumbnail of blue fluorite with purple wisps. This comes from more recent production and there have been scores of different color, phantom and form combinations since the discoveries started at this mine, though pieces like this are in my opinion among the most characteristic of the various Yindu habits-- these were the first style of fluorite that started to come out as early as 2014.