Iran!
Although Iran is not the
first country that comes to mind when one thinks of fine minerals, its mines
have produced many beautiful, rare, and even new species (iranite is named for
the country). Sadly, due to the political situation since 1979, Persian
minerals are available to international collectors intermittently at best--
mainly through the efforts of European dealers.
This is truly a shame,
as I would argue that the best Persian cerussite compares with the best from
Tsumeb, its wulfenite is on par with Red Cloud, and its mimetite puts San Pedro
Corralitos to shame, in terms of color.
This page contains nearly 60
specimens, mostly lead minerals but with a few other things thrown in as well.
I was fortunate enough to come into contact with a European dealer who had a
small stash of the stuff, and I purchased the lot in its entirety. A few of the
pieces were acquired separately, and saved for this update. I am
reasonably sure that this page represents the largest selection and widest
variety of Iranian minerals for sale on the internet at this time.
|
IRC1 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
10.5x 6.2x 5.1 cm
$1350
A large cabinet specimen, this is
the only example of reticulated cerussite on matrix that I was able to
acquire. There is a large reticulated cluster surrounded by smaller
cerussite crystals, all on a gray matrix of lead ores.
Reticulated cerussite clusters are
almost never available on matrix from any locality, and this one is doubly
rare as it is from Iran.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC4 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
6.7x 5.2x 4.5 cm
$600
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price.
Whenever I pick one of these specimens up, I am always
amazed by their weight.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC2 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
7.4x 5.9x 4.2 cm
$685
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
This specimen is actually composed of multiple reticulated clusters-- you
can see that photographs taken from one angle show the reticulation of one
cluster, while photos taken from a different angle show reticulation in a
different part of the specimen.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price. This is one of my 4 or 5
favorite cerussites from the group.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC3 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
6.6x 4.7x 3.8 cm
$650
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRM1 Mimetite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
7.3x 5.5x 3.7 cm
$600
Persian mimetite is some of the best
in the world-- it has the habit of San Pedro Corralitos specimens, but the
color of the best Chinese material.
This cabinet specimen consists of a
vug filled with bright orange mimetite of the best color. All in
all, this is a beautiful specimen of material that is very, very difficult
to obtain
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRH1 Hemimorphite
Ghale
Zari Mine, Birjand, S. Khorasan Prov., Iran
14.0x 13.5x 6.3 cm
$750
A large cabinet specimen that
appears to be composed of limonite stalactites, that have been completely
coated over with grayish-blue hemimorphite. There are a couple
blemishes, but over all the specimen is in excellent condition,
particularly given its size. There is more hemimorphite on the
reverse.
Virtually all hemimorphite available
for sale these days comes from China or Mexico-- when was the last time
you saw a Persian specimen-- and such a fine one, at that?
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRD1 Wulfenite, Mimetite, Cerussite
ps. Descloizite
Chah
Milleh Mine, Anarak District., Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.4x 3.7x 2.6 cm
$435
There is a lot going on in this
specimen. The matrix is actually a large descloizite crystal that
has been pseudomorphed by a mixture of cerussite, mimetite, wulfenite, and
possibly anglesite.
Over that has grown a second
generation of mimetite crystals, and 2 bright orange wulfenites to over 1
cm each.
This is truly an exceptional
miniature, and an example of material only found in Iran.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRD2 Wulfenite, Mimetite, Cerussite
ps. Descloizite
Chah
Milleh Mine, Anarak District., Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.9x 3.5x 4.3 cm
$400
There is a lot going on in this
specimen. The matrix is actually a large descloizite crystal that
has been pseudomorphed by a mixture of cerussite, mimetite, wulfenite, and
possibly anglesite.
Over that has grown a second
generation of mimetite crystals, and a few bright orange wulfenites.
This is truly an exceptional
miniature, and an example of material only found in Iran.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
RESERVED
IRM2 Mimetite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.8x 3.8x 0.7 cm
$375
Persian mimetite is some of the best
in the world-- it has the habit of San Pedro Corralitos specimens, but the
color of the best Chinese material.
This is an exceptionally fine
miniature-- although the color is not as orange as that of IRM1 (above)
anyone who sees this will instantly attribute it to San Pedro Corralitos,
the Mexican locality that produced some of the world's best botryoidal
mimetite over 30 years ago.
Except its from Iran. This is
one of my favorite miniatures from the group.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRH2 Hemimorphte
Ghale
Zari Mine, Birjand, S. Khorasan Prov., Iran
12.3x 8.8x 8.2 cm
$500
A large cabinet specimen that
appears to be composed of limonite stalactites, that have been completely
coated over with grayish-blue hemimorphite. There are a couple
blemishes, but over all the specimen is in excellent condition,
particularly given its size. There is more hemimorphite on the
reverse.
Virtually all hemimorphite available
for sale these days comes from China or Mexico-- when was the last time
you saw a Persian specimen-- and such a fine one, at that?
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRQP1 Quartz, Calcite
Ghale
Zari Mine, Birjand, S. Khorasan Prov., Iran
10.3x 6.4x 5.7 cm
$385
I apologize for the poor contrast in
the images-- the pale calcite does not show very well over the milky
quartz.
This specimen is basically a large,
terminated quartz crystal that is backed by numerous terminated calcites.
This reminds me a lot of the new amethyst/calcite combinations from China,
though this is the paler Persian version.
Overall, a very elegant and
aesthetic specimen.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW1 Wulfenite
Ahmad
Abad Mine, Yazd Prov., Iran
10.2x 8.0x 4.3 cm
$475
A large cabinet specimen of
wulfenite from the Ahmad Abad Mine. Specimens form Ahmad Abad tend
to be paler that those from Chah Milleh or Nakhlah (which are comparable
to Red Cloud)
The crystals tend to be thinner as
well, and are frequently coated with calcite. This specimen is a
large jumble of wulfenite crystals and crystal fragments, some of which
grew together and others which appear to have been cemented together by
calcite. A very large and unusual wulfenite specimen.
|
 |
 |
|
|
RESERVED
IRG1 Andradite var. Demantoid
Songhan,
Baft Dist., Kerman Prov., Iran
1.5x 1.3x 1.2 cm
$275
A large demantoid crystal from
Songhan, boating excellent color. Most of these Persian demantoids
are used for cutting and polishing. There is a small contact on the
reverse, but as can be seen from the photographs, it displays well from
multiple angles.
|
 |
 |
|
|
IRD3 Wulfenite, Mimetite, Cerussite
ps. Descloizite
Chah
Milleh Mine, Anarak District., Esfahan Prov., Iran
10.4x 6.7x 6.5 cm
$480
A large cabinet, which like IRD1 and
IRD2 above, has many things occurring at once. This one has to be
viewed closely to be appreciated. There are two large, serrated
descloizite blades to over 4 cm each, both of which have been
pseudomorphed by a mixture of mimetite, cerussite, and possible anglesite.
Elsewhere on the specimen are small,
bright orange (and quite gemmy) wulfenites as well as white cerussite
crystals. This thing is probably excellent under the scope, and has
to be seen in person to be appreciated. It is admittedly not the
most beautiful piece, but it is certainly one of the most interesting on
this page.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRM3 Mimetite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
8.6x 4.1x 2.3 cm
$185
An elongated specimen of orange
mimetite on matrix.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW2 Wulfenite
Chah
Milleh Mine, Anarak District., Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.5x 2.7x 2.6 cm
$125
Persian wulfenite is comparable to
some of the best from Arizona, and this miniature shows why.
This specimen consists of a single,
gemmy and bright orange 1.2 cm xtl perched on the edge of its matrix.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW3 Wulfenite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
2.3x 1.6x 1.2 cm
$110
A very good thumbnail of rather
thick wulfenite crystals from Iran
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW4 Wulfenite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
6.8x 5.7x 2.7 cm
$145
A rich specimen, with a jumble of
bright orange wulfenite blades on matrix.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW5 Wulfenite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.1x 3.0x 2.2 cm
$85
A toenail that could almost pass as
being from Red Cloud, this specimen consists of a few bright orange
wulfenite crystals on a matrix of lead secondaries. There are
probably a few interesting things in the matrix that could be found with a
microscope.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW6 Wulfenite
Ahmad
Abad Mine, Yazd Prov., Iran
4.8x 3.4x 2.3 cm
$245
A large cabinet specimen of
wulfenite from the Ahmad Abad Mine. Specimens form Ahmad Abad tend
to be paler that those from Chah Milleh or Nakhlah (which are comparable
to Red Cloud)
This specimen is a cluster of large
wulfenite crystals, that have been partially overgrown with calcite.
If you look at the edges, you can see that they broke naturally, and the
fracture surfaces were then overgrown by hundreds of small calcite
crystals.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRW7 Wulfenite
Ahmad
Abad Mine, Yazd Prov., Iran
3.8x 2.7x 2.0 cm
$165
A large cabinet specimen of
wulfenite from the Ahmad Abad Mine. Specimens form Ahmad Abad tend
to be paler that those from Chah Milleh or Nakhlah (which are comparable
to Red Cloud)
This specimen is a cluster of large
wulfenite crystals, that have been partially overgrown with calcite,
particularly around the edges of the wulfenites.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRE1 Epidote
Khorwin
Mt., Kuhandan, Saveh Town, Tafresh City, Markazi Prov., Iran
9.5x 6.5x 3.4 cm
$125
A rich epidote specimen from a find
made back in 2002.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
RESERVED
IRQP2 Quartz
Ghale
Zari Mine, Birjand, S. Khorasan Prov., Iran
~~5 cm
$100
A quartz crystal that has naturally
been coated with iron oxides, giving it a degree of irridescence.
Please note that the back half of this crystal is missing-- you can sort
of see this in the photograph below.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRH3 Hemimorphite on Quartz
Ghale
Zari Mine, Birjand, S. Khorasan Prov., Iran
7.5x 6.0x 4.4 cm
$135
A quartz specimen that has been
partially coated with hemimorphite and either malachite or aurichalcite,
from the Ghale Zari copper mine.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC6 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.2x 3.6x 3.3 cm
$380
A beautiful V-twin of cerussite, the largest of three in
this update. V-twins are considerably rarer than the reticulated
material. Slight contacting on the back. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC7 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.4x 2.7x 2.1 cm
$200
A beautiful V-twin of cerussite, one of three in this
update. V-twins from this locality are considerably rarer than the
reticulated material |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC8 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
2.6x 1.9x 1.6 cm
$150
A beautiful THUMBNAIL V-twin of cerussite, one of
three in this update. This piece is interesting because there is
actually a second v-twin perched over the first.
V-twins are considerably rarer than the reticulated
material, and I would consider this one a must for any serious thumbnail
collector. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC5 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.9x 5.5x 6.0 cm
$550
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC9 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
8.2x 6.0x 4.1 cm
$480
A large cluster of reticulated cerussite. This is
actually the largest cluster in the update, but because of its color it is
not the most expensive (call it a personal preference on my part).
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC10 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
7.1x 5.1x 3.0 cm
$680
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
This specimen is actually composed of multiple reticulated clusters-- you
can see that photographs taken from one angle show the reticulation of one
cluster, while photos taken from a different angle show reticulation in a
different part of the specimen.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price. This is one of my 4 or 5
favorites from the group.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC11 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.9x 4.5x 3.1 cm
$465
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
The reticulation on this specimen is some of the most
easily visible, and this is one of the best for its size.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could
expect to pay 10 times the price. This is one of my 4 or 5 favorites
from the group.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC12 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.8x 4.7x 4.9 cm
$395
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC13 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.7x 4.4x 3.5 cm
$425
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC14 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
6.0x 4.9x 4.0 cm
$400
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite,
composed of multiple reticulated clusters.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC15 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.6x 4.0x 3.9 cm
$395
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC16 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.7x 4.5x 2.5 cm
$320
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC17 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.8x 4.6x 4.0 cm
$355
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite,
composed of multiple reticulated clusters.
This is one of the larger clusters in the group,
displaying very fine reticulation. If this specimen were from Tsumeb,
you could expect to pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC18 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.5x 4.2x 3.5 cm
$375
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the
price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC19 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.2x 3.4x 3.5 cm
$345
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite. If this
specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC20 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
5.5x 3.5x 3.6 cm
$295
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite. If this
specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC21 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.8x 3.3x 2.6 cm
$295
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation. If this
specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC22 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.3x 4.2x 2.0 cm
$235
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation. If this
specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC35 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
6.5x 4.4x 4.0 cm
$395
A large cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the
price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC23 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.9x 3.2x 2.6 cm
$235
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite. If this
specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the price. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC24 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.2x 3.0x 1.5 cm
$175
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite. If
this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the
price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC25 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.3x 3.0x 2.6 cm
$185
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite. If
this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to pay 10 times the
price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC26 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.9x 3.8x 2.4 cm
$265
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation.
If this specimen were from Tsumeb, you could expect to
pay 10 times the price.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC27 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.4x 3.5x 2.6 cm
$185
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC28 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.9x 3.7x 2.5 cm
$165
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite, displaying
particularly fine reticulation.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC29 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.4x 2.4x 2.1 cm
$135
A sharp, miniature cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC30 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.8x 2.7x 3.0 cm
$110
A sharp, miniature cluster of reticulated cerussite.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC31 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.2x 3.0x 2.4 cm
$140
A cluster of cerussite twins on matrix-- not entirely
reticulated, but instead composed of numerous crystals with various
degrees of twinning. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC32 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.9x 2.6x 2.2 cm
$100
A sharp, miniature cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC33 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.6x 2.5x 2.5 cm
$95
A sharp, miniature cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC34 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
4.0x 2.8x 3.8 cm
$110
A cluster of elegantly reticulated cerussite.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC36 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.2x 2.5x 2.1 cm
$45
A sharp, miniature cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC37 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
2.8x 2.2x 1.6 cm
$68
A sharp, "toenail" cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC38 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.0x 3.0x 2.4 cm
$50
A sharp, "toenail" cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC39 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
2.2x 2.1x 1.1 cm
$58
A sharp, thumbnail cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
|
IRC40 Cerussite
Nakhlak
Mine, Anarak District, Esfahan Prov., Iran
3.4x 2.0x 1.2 cm
$40
A sharp, miniature cluster of elegantly reticulated
cerussite. |
 |
 |
 |
Click here to see new Demantoid Garnets from Madagascar!
|
