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A great selection of specimens from famous localities, including some classics like Tsumeb and contemporary locales in China!  A smaller update, but it does have a handful of our best quality pieces to offer!

US$    € EURO    ¥ YEN    £ POUND    CAN$    AUS$    Note

(click on the pictures to enlarge)


No. WWMIX71308 - $ 4700.00

Dioptase on Calcite

Locality: Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia

Specimen Size: 4.5 x 3.7 x 3.1 cm (miniature)
Largest Crystal: 1.1 cm


One of the staples of any collection, especially a Tsumeb collection, is Dioptase. Perhaps the signature mineral from this storied locality, the color of this species is never duplicated (neither in nature nor in photos). These photos are pretty darn good with regard to accurately portraying the color of the Dioptase, but it is still better in person. This miniature sized specimen features a few good sized sparkling, emerald-green color Dioptase crystals on white Calcite. Very good quality overall, and beautiful aesthetics to boot.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)


No. WWMIX71309 - $ 1800.00

Olmiite

Locality: N'Chwaning II Mine, N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Specimen Size: 4.7 x 4.1 x 2.8 cm (miniature)
Largest Olmiite Sphere: 2.4 cm


A beautiful group of glistening, richly colored radiating aggregates of Olmiite from N’Chwaning. Many of us were calling these Poldervaartites a few years ago, which turns out to be an incredibly rare species, as the vast majority of these specimens are in fact Olmiite, and the best in the world to be sure. This is one of my favorite miniature sized pieces of the material that I’ve had from the standpoint of quality, color and aesthetics. The luster is nearly as good as it gets, and the color is rich and saturated, just about as fine for the size as you could expect.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)


No. WWMIX71311 - SOLD

Spinel (var: “Ruby Spinel”)

Locality: Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Division, Burma (Myanmar)

Specimen Size: 9.5 x 7.4 x 7.4 cm (cabinet)
Spinel Crystal: 5.7 cm across(!)

It has been next to impossible to obtain fine quality Spinel specimens from Burma these days it seems. Matrix specimens of Spinel are uncommon, and to obtain large crystals on matrix is extremely difficult. This piece hosts a GIANT classic Burmese "Ruby Spinel" crystal with sharp, defined, lustrous, octahedral faces and a rich red color. The crystal sits atop a matrix of massive white marble as is typical for this locality. The piece is very showy and extremely aesthetic for the material, and certainly not easily replaced in this market. This specimen was mined around 2000, and is one of the finest Spinels that I’ve had to offer, especially from the standpoint of sheer SIZE. You don’t usually see Spinel crystals over 2 inches across from virtually anywhere, especially red ones on contrasting matrix. The best of these specimens are simply the finest in the world for what they are. This is an example of a non-pegmatite gem mineral of which many collectors probably do not have in their collections.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)


No. WWMIX71313 - $ 6800.00

Calcite (var: “Manganoan”) with Fluorite and Sphalerite

Locality: Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province, China

Specimen Size: 14.5 x 11.8 x 9.3 cm (cabinet)


This beautiful, large cabinet sized display specimen of soft baby pink Mn-bearing Calcite in large “flower”-like growths forms a very three-dimensional and striking overall piece. The Calcites are composed of multiple rhombohedra, which grew in a stacked formation, creating the large “blade”-like forms just like the petals of a flower. Accenting the Calcite are some gorgeous soft green and purple cubic crystals with dodecahedral modification of Fluorite which exhibit notable internal “phantoms”. Lastly, the base of the piece shows a large complex group of deeply colored (virtually black) Sphalerite and minor cuboctahedral silvery-grey Galena. The quality is outstanding, along with dramatic aesthetics and sheer size! The display side is in amazingly good condition, with virtually no damage. China has given collectors an astounding amount of superb specimens over the last 15 years or so, and in many cases China has redefined the way we think of individual species over and over. Even common species like Fluorite and Calcite are often seen in remarkable associations and quality from all over China, just like this piece. I’ve seen a lot of impressive minerals from Shangbao over the years, but this one is really special and singular in my mind due to the overall showiness, size and species present.

To order this specimen click here

(click on the pictures to enlarge)


No. WWMIX71315 - SOLD

Fluorite with a movable Water Bubble(!)

Locality: Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province, China

Specimen Size: 12.0 x 9.8 x 4.3 cm (cabinet)
Largest Fluorite: 4.0 cm on edge


ex.  Steve Smale

From the collection of my good friend and renowned mathematics professor, Steve Smale (here is a quick link to his bio online - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Smale), this piece is a really impressive and hard to find Fluorite from what is one of the premier Fluorite producers in China. This specimen is pure Fluorite – no matrix – which is interesting enough, but upon close inspection, the largest purple and green “phantom” cube has an interesting secret. In the upper left hand corner, you can see a clear but small, MOVABLE water bubble completely encased with the crystal. This is the ONLY specimen of Fluorite with a water bubble that I’ve had to offer from China. Even better in person!

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