Peru 2017

I am going to start this off by saying that none of these large pyrites look nearly as good in pictures.  The faces on these pieces are practically mirrors, and the three dimensionality of these pieces, combined with the many reflections makes them nearly impossible to photograph. 

I am going to start this off by saying that none of these large pyrites look nearly as good in pictures.  The faces on these pieces are practically mirrors, and the three dimensionality of these pieces, combined with the many reflections makes them nearly impossible to photograph. For that reason, I usually sell these at shows rather than online

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back.  This was the best piece from the group.

A very beautiful example of bright, lustrous pyrite cubes on quartz.  These combinations are highly sought after, though I have never come across very many on any one trip-- this time i was able to get a few, of which this is the largest.  There is peripheral damage to the pyrite and a couple small chips, but the quartz crystals are intact as far as I can see-- and it displays exactly as shown.  It's a beautiful large cabinet piece.

A beautiful miniature example of augelite on quartz, with a particularly good overall configuration.  To begin with, the piece is a floater, composed primarily of two doubly terminated qurtz crystals arranged in a V-like cluster.  There are a number of smaller secondary quartz crystals, but right front-and-center, clinging to the main quartz crystals, is a light green augelite crystal.  While the color is admittedly a bit on the lighter side, the position and aesthetics of the piece set it well above the standard mess of quartz crystals with augelites randomly interspersed among them. 

The second of only two augelite pieces I selected, this one has a few very large crystals perched on a quartz matrix.  The main crystal has either etching or chipping on the bottom corner-- it's a bit hard to tell which, and it gets sort of lost in the bits of quartz druzy that are also present on the crystal. Either way, the piece is exactly as shown, and the position and size of the augelite makes it stand out above the usual messy quartz plates, with smaller, randomly interspersed augelite crystals.

I actually consider this to be reasonably significant, as far as pieces from this mine go.  Japan law twins from Huanzala are unheard of-- this mine has produced literally thousands of tons of specimens over the last 40+ years, though Japan Law twins are virtually unknown from there.  I certainly haven't seen any, and my (much more experienced) middle aged friend in Peru who has been specializing in Huanzala material since his early teens had never seen them before either.  This was the best of 3 pieces I was able to get-- the twin is clearly positioned front and center above the pyrite.  The pyrite is contacted on the left side, but I actually think it improves the piece in a rather humorous way: it looks like a bunny now.

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back

I am always drawn to these large pyrite cubes-- though so far this is the largest semi-lone crystal I've been able to get.  Most of the pyrite crystals from this mine are clustered rather tightly-- to find one of this size so distinct is rather unusual. 

A beautiful cabinet sized specimen from recent finds in Peru.  Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A beautiful cabinet sized specimen from recent finds in Peru.  Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California, and have excellent richness, transparency, color, and luster relative to what I've seen from Peru in the past.  This one has a group of crystals mixed with dark green epidote, all sitting on a rock matrix.  There's a little hole between the axinite and the rock-- it gives it a slightly more sculptural appearance.

A beautiful cabinet sized specimen from recent finds in Peru.  Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A cabinet sized specimen featuring numerous axinite crystals on matrix, from the new find. This is a rather unusual specimen, in that what at first appears to be a iron-rich matrix is actually a mass of small andradite garnets.  

An older piece from a Peruvian collection, this is the sort of mineralogical curveball that Julcani is apparently known for.  On previous trips there was never much of anything available from the mine except for arsenopyrite, though this time there was a bit more material available, and the local dealers seemed to be particularly interested by the relatively odd combinations from this mine.  

An older, rather curious Julcani piece from a Peruvian collection-- is it pyrite or is it arsenopyrite?  

A large cabinet example of reddish orange orpiment from Peru.  I have sprayed this with a UV absorber to help preserve it-- it doesn't really change the appearance of the specimen. 

A spectacular orpiment specimen-- the color is so bright and the crystals are even slightly gemmy. A lot of fuss is made about piece from the Twin Creeks Gold Mine in Nevada, but some of these Quiruvilca pieces are every bit as good.  

A nice specimen of bright orange orpiment on pyrite, there is some scuffing near the edges, but the piece is exactly as shown.

A nice specimen of bright orange orpiment on pyrite, there is some scuffing near the edges, but the piece is exactly as shown.

A very beautiful small cabinet sized specimen of bright red realgar with superbly contrasting orange orpiment.  This is particularly beautiful under magnification.

When I first saw this piece, I was drawn to the distinctness of the crystals.  I thought it was from Huanzala-- pyrites from there are rarely as distinct, nearly always being clustered somewhat compactly and rarely seen on a rock matrix.  It turned out this piece was from Julcani.  There is some damage, but the piece is exactly as shown, and all in all, a rather attractive reference from this mine.

When I first saw this piece, I was drawn to the distinctness of the crystals.  I thought it was from Huanzala-- pyrites from there are rarely as distinct, nearly always being clustered somewhat compactly and rarely seen on a rock matrix.  It turned out this piece was from Julcani.  There is some damage, but the piece is exactly as shown, and all in all, a rather attractive reference from this mine.

A rich example of this rare thallium-bearing mineral from Peru.  Hutchinsonite is pretty much the only thallium mineral that is reasonably obtainable, that has pretty much only been for the last couple years while these have been produced.

A highly lustrous specimen of pyrite with dark sphalerite from the major find made approximately 2 years ago.  Pieces from this find are notable for their incredible mirror-like luster and the relative distinctness of their crystals.

One of only 3 pyrite/ Japan law twin combination specimens I was able to get.  Japan law twins from Huanzala are unheard of-- this mine has produced literally thousands of tons of specimens over the last 40+ years, though Japan Law twins are virtually unknown from there.  I certainly haven't seen any, and my (much more experienced) middle aged friend in Peru who has been specializing in Huanzala material since his early teens had never seen one before either.

One of only 3 pyrite/ Japan law twin combination specimens I was able to get.  Japan law twins from Huanzala are unheard of-- this mine has produced literally thousands of tons of specimens over the last 40+ years, though Japan Law twins are virtually unknown from there.  I certainly haven't seen any, and my (much more experienced) middle aged friend in Peru who has been specializing in Huanzala material since his early teens had never seen one before either.

A beautiful combination specimen of quartz on very lustrous pyrite, from the Huanzala Mine.  These pyrite/quartz combinations are some of the most sought after specimens from this prolific mine, yet they are never available in much supply. There was a pocket of this material discovered several months ago, and these had been held back.

A beautiful combination specimen of quartz on very lustrous pyrite, from the Huanzala Mine.  These pyrite/quartz combinations are some of the most sought after specimens from this prolific mine, yet they are never available in much supply. There was a pocket of this material discovered several months ago, and these had been held back.

A beautiful and very 3- diminsional specimen of cubic pyrite with quartz, from Huanzala.  The crystals are so lustrous, you can actually see parts of the specimen reflected in the crystal faces.  

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back

This was one of the surprises from the trip-- rhodochrosite from Pasto Bueno.  This locality is famous for having produced spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in the 1970's, but has produced almost none of this material for much of the last 40 years.  On visits over the last 3-4 years however, I had seen small bits of rhodochrosite-- usually tiny loose cleavage fragments, but never anything worth purchasing.  This time, I came across a few decent specimens-- they were found nearly a year ago and held back

A slightly paler miniature sized sample of rhodochrosite from Peru.

A nice little reference thumbnail of new Peruvian rhodochrosite from a classic locality.  There are some sheared quartz crystals, but the color is like a good Sweethome piece.

A nice specimen of botryoidal quartz (possibly chalcedony) over chrysocola.  The color is a very vibrant blue.

A very unusual specimen-- this is a flattened, medallion-like andradite garnet backed by numerous pale axinite crystals and a several green epidotes.  Very weird, but if you are a garnet collector, i would imagine this would be of interest.

A cluster of quartz crystals from Pasto Bueno.  The overall formation seems extremely stereotypical-- like something you would expect to see if you looked for a clip-art image of "crystals."

A large cabinet specimen of this unusual fluorite from Huanzala.  I suppose it isn't really unusual as far as fluorite goes, but (when it does produce fluorite) this mine typically produces octahedrons or octahedrons with complex cubic modifications and stepped faces. These are tightly packed cubes.  There were only a few of these available-- I only got this piece, as it only had one semi-hard-to-see spot of damage.

A nice thumbnail sized specimen of this very rare silver antimony sulfide.  On this piece, many tiny crystals form an almost botryoidal surface-- the typical habit for miargyite from this location.

A nice thumbnail sized specimen of this very rare silver antimony sulfide.  On this piece, many tiny crystals form an almost botryoidal surface-- the typical habit for miargyite from this location.

A nice thumbnail sized specimen of this very rare silver antimony sulfide.  On this piece, many tiny crystals form an almost botryoidal surface-- the typical habit for miargyite from this location.

A a few Japan law twinned quartz crystals clustered together in a larger cluster of elongated quartz crystals.  Oddly enough there is a second twin perched right at the intersection of the main twin, and facing forward-- you can see it in the close-up image.

A beautiful large miniature/ small cabinet axinite specimen from the new peruvian find. Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they almost resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A beautiful large miniature/ small cabinet axinite specimen from the new Peruvian find. Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they almost resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A beautiful axinite specimen from the new Peruvian find. Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they almost resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A beautiful axinite specimen from the new Peruvian find.  This one has a sharp and very lustrous crystal percched on a matrix of tiny andradite garnets. Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they almost resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.

A beautiful axinite specimen from the new Peruvian find. Axinite has been found at a few locations in Peru over the last few years, though to date I think these are the best-- they almost resemble the standard-setting pieces from Dal'Negorsk or California.