Mixed Minerals
Specimens from Springfield,
and elsewhere.
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IDM1
Diamond
Formoso River, Bahia, Brazil
5.1x
4.9x 2.1 cm
$1350
One Brazilian dealer at
the show had about 5 flats of diamonds in conglomerate from
Brazil. I searched through all the pieces, and this was the best
in the lot, with a large (for the locality) crystal measuring 7 mm
from point to point.
I have never seen this
sort of specimen from anywhere other than Brazil. Alluvial
diamonds are usually off matrix, and matrix diamonds are rare from any
locality.
On a lighter note, it was
pointed out that it looks like a chocolate chip cookie....
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IDM2
Diamond
Formoso River, Bahia,
Brazil
6.4x
4.1x 1.6 cm
$475
One Brazilian dealer at
the show had about 4 flats of diamonds in conglomerate from
Brazil. I searched through all the pieces, and this was one of two
I selected. This one has a cluster of twinned diamonds measuring 5
mm across.
I have never seen this
sort of specimen from anywhere other than Brazil. Alluvial
diamonds are usually off matrix, and matrix diamonds are rare from any
locality.
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IDM3
Wulfenite with Mimetite
San
Juan Potente Vein, Level 6, Mina Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico.
13.1x
8.4x 5.6 cm
$435
These were one of the big
new finds from this years Tucson show. This large cabinet specimen
has elongated dipiramiydal crystals to 1.5 cm, and are dispersed on matrix with
dark green, botryoidal mimetite.
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IDM4
Wavellite on Quartz
Siglo
XX Mine, near Llallagua, Bolivia
14.7x
10.2x 3.7 cm
$400
This is one of the
richest Bolivian wavellites that I have seen for sale in a long
time. It is a large cabinet specimen, with several perfectly
spherical clusters to 1.2 cm, interspersed among hundreds of wavellite
covered quartz crystals.
The color is different
from the usual green Arkansas material, and this is a very good example
of wavellite from a less common locality.
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IDM5
Vivianite with Childrenite (!!!)
Siglo XX Mine, near
Llallagua, Bolivia
4.2x
3.8x 3.6 cm
$185
A unique vivianite
specimen, form a country that has produced vast quantities of the
species. The terminated, almost transparent vivianites share
a matrix with accicular balls of childrenite, making for a very unusual
and aesthetic association.
This specimen is from the
classic Siglo XX mine, and not from the Tomokoni Adit which a few years
ago produced the majority of the specimens currently on the market.
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IDM6
Ludlamite
San
Antonio mine, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico (1970's!)
9.7x
6.1x 3.7 cm
$395
A cabinet wulfenite from
MEXICO! There is no locality currently producing good ludlamite,
though the most recent include Bolivia and Idaho. This piece dates
to the 1970's, when the San Antonio Mine produced these for a very short
interval.
Admittedly, this piece
does have some damage, though it remains exceptional in its size and
richness, and you wont find one at a better price.
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IDM7
Ludlamite
Huanuni
Mine, Oruro, Bolivia
2.6x
1.9x 1.2 cm
$85
A thumbnail Ludlamite
frmo Bolivia. These have not been found in several years, and the
Huanuni Mine has been mired by the protests of independent
minerals against Morales' nationalization plan.
A very cute thumbnail of
material that is becoming ever harder to acquire.
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IDM8 Ludlamite
Huanuni
Mine, Oruro, Bolivia
3.0x
3.0x 1.2 cm
$75
A thumbnail Ludlamite
frmo Bolivia. These have not been found in several years, and the
Huanuni Mine has been mired by the protests of independent
minerals against Morales' nationalization plan.
A very cute thumbnail of
material that is becoming ever harder to acquire.
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IDM9
Anatase
Contrato District, Itamarandiba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.3x
1.1x 1.0 cm
$135
New
Find!
One of the only new finds
at Springfield, these Brazilian anatase crystals are closer in
appearance to those from Norway or Pakistan than the usual brown,
weathered crystals that Brazil usually produces. The faces are
smooth and lustrous, and there is even a small degree of translucency.
Only one dealer had them,
and in very small quantity.
No damage!
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IDM10
Anatase
Contrato District,
Itamarandiba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.2x
1.1x 1.0 cm
$75
New
Find!
One of the only new finds
at Springfield, these Brazilian anatase crystals are closer in
appearance to those from Norway or Pakistan than the usual brown,
weathered crystals that Brazil usually produces. A bit rougher than the
above specimen.
Only one dealer had them,
and in very small quantity.
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IDM11
Spinel
Luc
Yen Mining District, Yenbai Prov., Vietnam
1.9x
1.3x 1.2 cm
$50
A perfect thumbnail
spinel from Vietnam, complete and boasting sharp edges and points.
The color is a bit darker in person, and less pinkish.
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IDM12
Siderite
Tazna Mine, Cerro Tazna, Nor Chichas Prov., potosi Dept., Bolivia
6.0x
5.0x 3.8 cm
$100
A large cluster of
siderite disks, each composed of numerous intergrown rhombohedrons that
have formed disk like aggregates to 2.4 cm.
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IDM13
Mushistonite on Kesterite
Ping Wu
Co., Sichuan Prov., China
1.65x
1.2x .7 cm
$135
An excellent, damage free
cluster of mushistonite on kesterite. The mushistonite coating is
intact, and the crystals are sharp. There is no damage, and even a small
amount of the muscovite matrix still clings to the cluster. It
appears that there is also a small amount of malachite.
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IDM14
Betafite
Silver Crater Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada
2.9x
2.5x 2.2 cm
$165
A large cluster of
radioactive betafite from the locality that arguably produced the best
betafite specimens in the world. The form of this crystal is unusual
for the locality.
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