Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite!
A selection of specimens from a recent find of plumbogummite after pyromorphite, encompassing pretty much all the habits from the occurrence. In my opinion, this is one of the major finds of the last year, and certainly the most exciting new thing to come from China for some time. Both pyromorphite and plumbogummite have been known from this location for years, but this is the first time that such clear pseudomorphs have been found and preserved.
I first saw a few of these at Denver 2014, but they were relegated to back of the room deals (where all the biggest rip-offs seem to take place). By Tucson 2015, the hopper crystals had made it to the display cases of two dealers (though still largely in the $4000-$15000 range), and a third Chinese dealer was offering the smaller, non hoppered, crystals more affordably.
As mentioned above, the specimens here span the range of habits-- from completely pseudomorphed hoppered crystals, to small hexagonal prisms that grade from one species to the other along their length. Still others with just a couple to few mm of surface alteration-- these tend to have a more greenish color. I've also posted a couple regular plumbogummites from another part of the pocket, and a nice pyro thumbnail, for contrast.
List
Grid
PGM01 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
10.8x 6.1x 4.8 cm
$4000
A cabinet sized specimen of plumbogummite after pyromorphite. This piece is an aesthetic cluster, with crystals on both sides (including a number of hoppers) pseudomorphed to a light blue green. There are a few broken crystals, but as they are pseudomorphed all the way through they don't stand out (i.e., if they were not completely pseudo-ed you would see a contrasting green core.) Still, by the standards of the find this one is in very good condition
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers inTucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, the large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have.
PGM02 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
8.0x 6.0x 3.6 cm
$4800
A cabinet sized specimen of plumbogummite after pyromorphite. This piece features the desirable blue color, and especially large hopper crystals of pyromorphite (almost 5.5 cm in length!) Judging by the weight (much lighter than you would expect), this piece is completely pseudod to pyromorphite. There may be a couple broken crystals, but because there are no green pyromophite cores, it doesn't stand out and is exactly as shown.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson.
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the good blue color and the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM03 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
7.1x 5.1x 4.6 cm
$1800
A cabinet sized specimen of plumbogummite after pyromorphite. This piece features the desirable blue color, and large hopper crystals of pyromorphite. As with most, there are a couple broken crystals, but this is still better than the majority (and about 1/2 to 1/3 what you would expect to pay in Tucson)
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson.
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the better bluish color and the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM04 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
7.5x 6.5x 5.3 cm
$1350
A cabinet sized specimen of pyromorphite partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. This piece is a nice radiating cluster of elongated, light blue-green hopper crystals. As with virtually all of these, there are a few broken crystals, but the piece is exactly as shown.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson.
PGM05 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
8.5x 7.1x 4.4 cm
$1000
A cabinet sized specimen of plumbogummite after pyromorphite, with associated pyromorphite that has not pseudomorphed. This piece features a number of partially pseudomorpheded hopper crystals on the top, on a matrix of pyromorphite and limonite.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson.
PGM06 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
6.2x 4.1x 3.6 cm
$860
A small cabinet sized specimen of pyromorphite, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. Judging from what I've seen, this is a rare example of a smaller, less jumbled cluster of the highly desirable large hopper crystals. There are a couple broken crystals near the base, but it displays as shown.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, the examples of large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have.
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM07 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.6x 2.2x 1.6 cm
$1200
A super aesthetic miniuature specimen of pyromorphite, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. Judging from what I've seen, this is a rare smaller example of the highly desirable large hopper crystals. The side-by-side arrangement of the crystals really makes this one a great example (certainly the best I've seen) in this size range.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, examples of large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have. Part of the high price is probably because they were all small-cabinet and larger
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM08 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.8x 1.6x 2.1 cm
$750
An aesthetic miniuature specimen of pyromorphite, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. Judging from what I've seen, this is a rare smaller example of the highly desirable large hopper crystals.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, examples of large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have. Part of the high price is probably because they were all small-cabinet and larger
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM09 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.7x 4.2x 2.6 cm
$1250
An aesthetic miniature specimen of pyromorphite, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. Judging from what I've seen, this is a rare smaller example of the highly desirable large hopper crystals.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, examples of large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have. Part of the high price is probably because they were all small-cabinet and larger
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM10 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.1x 2.8x 1.9 cm
$780
An aesthetic miniature specimen of pyromorphite, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. Judging from what I've seen, this is a rare smaller example of the highly desirable large hopper crystals.
This piece is notable for the unusually blue color (compared to others) and lack of etching.
In my opinion, these have been the major find of the last several months, first appearing as a few "back of the room" specimens at Denver 2014, with more subsequently available from 2-3 dealers in Tucson. While the smaller crystals were available at moderate prices, examples of large hopper crystals were relegated to the $4,500-15,000 range, even with the (significant) damage that virtually all of these seem to have. Part of the high price is probably because they were all small-cabinet and larger-- good miniatures like this were not available with larger crystals.
As with most Chinese finds, the best come out at the beginning, and I consider pieces like this-- with the largest hoppered crystals-- to be in that category.
PGM11 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
6.5x 3.6x 4.9 cm
$350
A cluster of elongated pyromorphite crystals, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. A good example for the price, though not as blue as some of the others.
PGM12 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
5.8x 4.1x 4.8 cm
$365
A cluster of elongated pyromorphite crystals, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. For the price, it's a good example of a specimen with larger crystals, though not as blue as some of the others.
PGM13 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
6.1x 5.0x 4.5 cm
$235
A cluster of elongated pyromorphite crystals, partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite and slightly weathered. A good example for the price, though not as blue as some of the others.
PGM14 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
5.3x 4.0x 3.1 cm
$165
This piece is primarily pyromorphite with what seems to be either a dusting or an extremely shallow layer of plumbogummite, though it has a small clump of crystals near the top that were farther along in the pseudomorphing process.
I have heard a couple people comment that it's a shame the pyromorphite crystals were pseudomorphed-- that if they were not, they would probably be among the largest and best pyromorphite crystals out there. This piece kind of provides a rebuttal to that assessment-- while they had size, they don't seem to have had the best color.... so the plumbogummite is definitely an improvement.
This is just an odd sample.
PGM15 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
3.5x 2.5x 1.4 cm
$195
A very beautiful and unusual little "toenail" specimen from the find, featuring three primary clusters of small elongated crystals that have pseudomorphed to plumbogummite, on a sliver of matrix.. There is some damage, but the piece is exactly as shown.
The piece has a very organic appearance, it almost looks like some sort of plant growing out of a bit of dirt.
PGM16 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
8.2x 6.0x 3.0 cm
$285
An somewhat different habit from the find, with a couple cauliflower like clusters on a sheet of matrix. There is some damage, this is taken into account in the price.
PGM17 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
8.4x 5.9x 3.5 cm
$350
Yet another habit from this find, this piece contains numerous small hexagonal prisms laying flat on a limonite matrix. Some are partially pseudomorphed, others grade from blue plumbogummite at one end to green pyromorphite on the other. A bit more 2D than the others.
PGM18 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
5.0x 3.4x 1.9 cm
$195
A nice sample of plumbogummite pseudomorphing pyromorphite, showing a habit somewhat different than the others on this update. There is some damage, but displays exactly as shown.
PGM19 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
3.8x 3.1x 2.3 cm
$175
Yet another habit of plumbogummite pseudomorphing pyromorphite; this miniature specimen consists of a number of crystals rising out of a thin matrix with the bulk of the pseudomorphing occurring around the terminations.
PGM21 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
7.0x 3.8x 2.2 cm
$145
A plate of limonite completely covered by hundreds of small (~3 mm) pyromorphite crystals that have pseudomorphed in varying degrees to plumbogummite.
PGM22 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
2.9x 2.5x 1.7 cm
$150
A nice thumbnail/ toenail sized specimen of pyromorphite pseudomorphed to plumbogummite, on a bit of matrix.
This is probably the nicest thumbnail example I have personally had (or seen anywhere else, for that matter.)
PGM23 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
2.7x 2.4x 2.4 cm
$120
A nice toenail sample of plumbogummite pseudomorphing pyromorphite, on a bit of matrix.
PGM24 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
6.2x 4.3x 3.0 cm
$160
A cheaper example from the find, showing a lesser degree of psudomorphing and some damage. Still a colorful sample for the price.
PGM25 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.6x 3.0x 2.5 cm
$145
A nice sample of pyromorphite partially pseudomorphed to plumbogummite. There is some damage, but it's a nice sample for the price.
PGM26 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.4x 2.7x 2.4 cm
$130
A nice sample of plumbogummite pseudomorphing pyromorphite. There is some damage, but it's still a nice sample.
PGM27 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
3.6x 2.3x 1.9
$90
A nice sample of pyromorphite pseudomorphing to plumbogummite. There is some damage, but it's a nice sample for the price.
PGM28 Plumbogummite ps. Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
2.6x 2.6x 1.9 cm
$70
A thumbnail specimen of pyromorphite, with a small area pseudomorphed to plumbogumite. This piece is mostly pyromorphite, with just a bit of alteration.
PGM29 Plumbogummite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
7.8x 5.6x 3.4
$180
A sample of plumbogummite from the recent find. These have been known from the location for a while, but a number of these botryoidal examples were also found in the same area as the pyromorphite pseudomorphs. Minor scuffing here and there (as is the case with virtually all of them.)
PGM30 Plumbogummite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
4.8x 4.3x 2.7 cm
$140
A nice sample of botryoidal plumbogummite from the recent find. These have been known to occur in the area for quite some time, but a number of pieces were also found int he same area as the pyromorphte pseudos.
There is some scuffing, as is the case with virtually all of them.
PGM31 Pyromorphite
Daoping-Yangshuo Orebody, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang A.R., China
2.9x 1.4x 1.2 cm
$165
A lustrous hopper/ compound crystal of pyromorphite, displaying the best luster and electric green color that made this locality famous back in 1999.
