DXL1 Azurite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
6.4x 6.0x 3.0 cm

$895

A cluster of lustrous azurite crystals from recent finds at the Milpillas Mine. 

For the size, I think this is a pretty good price, particularly given the asking prices at shows and elsewhere on the internet.  There are a couple small chips, but given the luster and arrangement of the crystals, it is very, very hard to see.

DXL26 Dioptase with Conichalcite

Cobre Llama Mine, Ica Department, Peru

13.7x 9.5x 8.7 cm

$580

An cabinet sized dioptase from Peru, exceptional for the country both for its size as well as for its richness.  This specimen comes from a find made around 2007-2008. The lighter green mineral is conichalcite. 

I've seen quite a few of these in Peru and in the US, but this is definitely one of the best examples I've come across.

DXL2 Barite

Linwood Mine, Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa, United States

16.5x 10.5x 3.5 cm

$395

A sizable and exceptionally lustrous barite from the Linwood Mine, located in the Midwestern state of Iowa. the Linwood Mine has produced some of the country's finest (and certainly largest) barite crystals, though it had not received the same attention as Elk Creek (South Dakota), the various Colorado localities, or the Meikle Mine (Nevada).

The crystal is double terminated, and has a number of other crystals perched to it.  Like 98% of these, the back side is not much to look at-- they tended to form against flat sedimentary surfaces.

There are a couple scratches/ chips about half way up the main crystal, on the left.  These are visible in the pictures, though perhaps not as much as in person.  Given what these were selling for (and what some folks are still asking) this is still a very good price for a double terminated crystal of this size/ luster.

The Linwood Mine opened in 1941 and is an active producer of calcium carbonate products, which are used in glass and plastic manufacture, cements and other building materials, feed, water purification, and various other chemical applications.  Given the high purity of product necessary for such uses, the presence of these barium sulfate crystals is actually considered a bad thing--when crushed into the mix, they become contaminants.

The site was originally operated as a quarry, though is now an underground mine.

The Linwood Mine is an active producer of calcium carbonate products, as such the presence of these crystals is actually considered a bad thing, as far as the purity of the product is concerned.  

DXL3 Celestite with Calcite

Clay Center, Ottawa County, Ohio
16.5x 4.5x 1.4 cm

$275

A large celestite crystal with a couple double terminated calcites perched on its edges, from Clay Center, Ohio.  This area is better known for its zoned brown fluorites.

This is a particularly sizable and exceptionally sharp example, with a serrated termination that would almost make it suitable for self defense in Tucson.

This is the sort of material that turns up for sale in Midwestern states, where it has been field collected for decades, though which is seldom seen elsewhere.  At international shows, the bulk of the celestites seem to be from Madagascar, with the odd piece from Mexico thrown into the mix.

DXL4 Pyrite Stalactite

Ross Co., Ohio, United States

16.2x 5.5x 4.8 cm

$250

A decently sized pyrite stalactite from Ohio, composed of numerous octahedral crystals. There is a portion missing on the back near the termination, but as shown, the piece still displays perfectly from multiple angles.

RESERVED

DXL5 Aragonite Stalactite

West Wind Cave, Stauton, Augusta Co., Virginia, United States

18.8x 8.0x 6.5 cm

$280

An old aragonite stalactite from Virginia, if you look down from the top (slightly visible in the bottom-right image) you can see the hole that the carbonate-bearing water passed through, gradually depositing the aragonite that grew into the formation that you see here. 

There are a couple blemishes here and there, but overall the piece is exactly as shown in the photographs.  An old and unusual piece, from an unusual locality.

DXL6 Calcite Stalactite

Puerto Rico (!), United States

16.2x 4.6x 4.8 cm

$195

A calcite stalactite, and the only specimen I have ever seen from Puerto Rico.  There are a few chips/ scuffs that are hard to see in the pictures.

If it were from China I would never have bothered posting it, but I thought it was very interesting. 

DXL7 Tourmaline var. Liddicoatite

Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar

3.1x 1.3x 0.7 cm

$280

A very bright, magenta colored tourmaline with a flat termination, from Madagascar.  The piece lacks clarity, but again, the color is exceptional-- brighter than anything from Afghanistan or Pakistan (even their irradiated pieces) and probably brighter than most things from Brazil or Nigeria.

Liddicoatite is the calcium bearing member of the tourmaline group.

DXL8 Tourmaline var. Liddicoatite

Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar

3.0x 1.2x 0.3 cm

$185

An unsual liddicoatite crystal from Madagascar-- it's nearly flat.  The piece is sharply terminated with good color.

Liddicoatite is the calcium bearing member of the tourmaline group.

DXL9 Tourmaline var. Liddicoatite

Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar

2.0x 1.1x 1.0 cm

$145

A thumbnail specimen consisting of a terminated pink Liddicoatite crystal from Madagascar.

Liddicoatite is the calcium bearing member of the tourmaline group.

DXL10 Tourmaline var. Liddicoatite
Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
2.3x 0.85x 0.7 cm

$165

A thumbnail specimen consisting of a terminated pink Liddicoatite crystal from Madagascar.

Liddicoatite is the calcium bearing member of the tourmaline group.

DXL27 Tourmaline var. Liddicoatite

Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar

2.0x 0.85x 0.8 cm

$125

A thumbnail specimen consisting of a terminated pink Liddicoatite crystal from Madagascar.

Liddicoatite is the calcium bearing member of the tourmaline group.

DXL27 Dioptase
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
9.2x 6.1x 6.7 cm

$265

A cabinet dioptase specimen with crystals scattered throughout.  For a Tsumeb dioptase of this size, it's a reasonably good price.

DXL10 Malachite
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
5.6x 4.5x 3.6 cm

$235

An unusual malachte specimen from Tsumeb.  My guess would be that it is a pseudomorph after another mineral (azurite would be the likely candidate) but the radial form with raised plateaus doesn't really fit azurite.  Adamite takes that form, but I don't think that malachite would pseudomorph that mineral.... so it could just be a primary growth.

DXL11 Copper

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico

10.7x 9.9x 0.8 cm

$220

A decently sized plate of crystalline copper from recent finds at the Milpillas Mine.

By the standards of Michigan, they are nothing particularly special, but native copper from Mexico is pretty rare, and these bear a resemblance to the arborescent growths from Kazakhstan.  

Better than average crystallization for the locality.

DXL12 Azurite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
6.2x 3.3x 1.2 cm

$285

A group of lustrous and inky blue azurite crystals from recent finds at the Milpillas Mine. 

For the size, I think this is a very good price, particularly given the asking prices at shows and elsewhere on the internet.

DXL13 Malachite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
8.1x 6.6x 2.6 cm

$175

Over the last couple years, the Milpillas Mine has gained fame for its copper minerals, most notably its arurite and malachite after azurite pseudos. The mine has also produced decent cuprite, and interesting cuprite and chrysocolla included agates. 

DXL14 Malachite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
7.0x 4.4x 0.9 cm

$155

Over the last couple years, the Milpillas Mine has gained fame for its copper minerals, most notably its arurite and malachite after azurite pseudos. The mine has also produced decent cuprite, and interesting cuprite and chrysocolla included agates. 

DXL15 Malachite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
7.4x 4.7x 1.4 cm

$165

Over the last couple years, the Milpillas Mine has gained fame for its copper minerals, most notably its arurite and malachite after azurite pseudos. The mine has also produced decent cuprite, and interesting cuprite and chrysocolla included agates. 

DXL16 Malachite

Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
8.4x 5.0x 3.1 cm

$145

Over the last couple years, the Milpillas Mine has gained fame for its copper minerals, most notably its arurite and malachite after azurite pseudos. The mine has also produced decent cuprite, and interesting cuprite and chrysocolla included agates. 

DXL17 Aquamarine

Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co., Colorado, United States

3.8x 3.4x 2.4 cm

$200

A rare example of lightly colored aquamrine on a bit of smoky matrix from Mt. Antero, Colorado. 

Hard to find, especially as a matrix specimen, and I imagine that any claim owners who set up in Tucson would ask a much higher piece for fresher pieces....

DXL28 Calcite
Yizhang Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
10.5x 10.2x 5.2 cm

$175

A group of pagoda like, stacked calcite crystals from China,  There is a bit of damage, particularly as minor edge chipping/ scuffs.  Overall however, it's what you see in the pictures.

DXL18 Calcite

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

13.0x 9.4x 6.5 cm

$275

A group of calcite crystals on a chert matrix, featuring a single larger yellow crystal.  

These do not turn up for sale very often any more, though the piece is particularly notable for having its termination.  On the odd occasions when I do see these calcites, there are almost always very significant cleaves.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL19 Sphalerite

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

12.4x 7.5x 5.0 cm

$335

A cluster of dark, metallic sphalerite crystals on matrix, from a classic American locality. 

Sphalerite and galena specimens from this area, tend to have a sharpness and crisp geometric quality that I don't often see in specimens from other localities-- I think it's a combination of distinct crystals, clean edges and extra three-dimensionality, attributes that seem to lack in the jumbled sphalerites from any of the other major localities in Peru, Bulgaria, Kosovo or China.  

In addition to displaying that special "Tri-State crispness", the piece is well balanced, and has very good composition.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL20 Sphalerite

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

9.6x 10.2x 6.5 cm

$365

A cluster of large sphalerite crystals on a dolomite-covered chert matrix, from a classic US locality.

There is one small area of damage on the bottom right side of the crystal (best visible in the side view) but this does not particularly detract when positioned for display.  Overall the piece is extremely well balanced and put together.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL24 Galena

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

18.2x 11.3x 5.4 cm

$460

Ex. Colorado School of Mines

A old cabinet specimen of galena on a chert plate.  The cubic galena crystals have interesting octahedral growths on the main faces, and some of the crystals have a later coverage of marcasite.  There are a couple minor chips, but they are hard to spot, unless you are looking for them.

This could be split into two specimens, or even displayed horizontally as is.  Given the age of the piece and the relative scarcity of larger examples, I decided to leave it as is.

This is classic US material, not to be confused with more contemporary specimens from the Viburnum Trend District in neighboring Missouri.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL25 Galena

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

11.0x 8.2x 5.3 cm

$275

A pair of lustrous galena crystals with sharp edges from a classic American locality. There is no matrix on this one, the piece is flat on the back.

Galena and sphalerite specimens from this area, tend to have a sharpness and crisp geometric quality that I don't often see in specimens from other localities-- I think it's a combination of distinct crystals, clean edges and extra three-dimensionality, a set of attributes that seems to lack in the galenas from any of the other major localities in Peru, Bulgaria, Kosovo or Missouri.  

That "Tri-State crispness" is also what makes them so easily distinguishable from the contemporary Viburnum Trend specimens, which tend to have compound faces that contribute to an overall messier appearance. 

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL21 Galena

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

6.3x 3.2x 4.0 cm

$135

A pair of lustrous galena crystals on a chert matrix, from a classic American locality. 

Galena and sphalerite specimens from this area, tend to have a sharpness and crisp geometric quality that I don't often see in specimens from other localities-- I think it's a combination of distinct crystals, clean edges and extra three-dimensionality, a set of attributes that seems to lack in the galenas from any of the other major localities in Peru, Bulgaria, Kosovo or even Missouri. 

That "Tri-State crispness" is also what makes them so easily distinguishable from the contemporary Viburnum Trend specimens, which tend to have compound faces that contribute to an overall messier appearance. 

This is an excellent miniature, very well balanced, though there is a small chip on the corner of one of the crystals-- it doesn't really impact the appearance, as the pictures show.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL22 Sphalerite

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

7.8x 6.2x 3.5 cm

$185

A group of large, distinct and very three-dimensional sphalerite crystals on matrix, from a classic US locality.

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites, and Picher itself is a ghost town.

DXL23 Sphalerite

Picher, Tri-State Lead Zinc District,  Oklahoma, United States 

8.8x 6.6x 3.8 cm

$175

A cluster of dark reddish, metallic sphalerite crystals on matrix, from a classic American locality. There is a bit of chipping on the bottom.

Sphalerite and galena specimens from this area, tend to have a sharpness and crisp geometric quality that I don't often see in specimens from other localities-- I think it's a combination of distinct crystals, clean edges and extra three-dimensionality, attributes that seem to lack in the jumbled sphalerites from any of the other major localities in Peru, Bulgaria, Kosovo or China.  

Mining in the area began around the 1850's-60's on the Missouri side of the district, with the last mine closing in Oklahoma in 1967 (that should provide some idea of the age of this piece.)  Because of the environmental impact of the extensive lead mining, the area is today home to 3 Superfund sites,  and Picher itself is a ghost town.