Specimens from the Denver Mineral Show Report 2011 and India

I attended the Denver show for the first time, both as a buyer and a seller. There wasn't much truly new material of significance, but when that occurs, one just has to look harder for interesting older material. I have also included a number of Indian specimens from my recent trips.

My next updates will include new finds from Bolivia and China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that were partially sourced in Denver, but mostly through contacts in those countries.

DV01 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

7.6x 3.0x 3.0 cm

$2000

A fairly large and well terminated polychrome tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia.

This crystal grades from an orangish red, to yellowish green, to a darker brown green near the base. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact.

Typically I have shied away from these as the prices asked by the Russian dealers usually start right about (or above) where I have priced this one.

The Malchan deposit is actually a fairly recent discovery, having been discovered southeast of Lake Baikal (near the Mongolian border) in 1980. The locality has been producing in small amounts since, though on a scale far smaller than either the Brazilian or Afghan tourmaline deposits. I will also add that the "warmer" colored tourmalines (reds, yellows, oranges) are known from fewer deposits than the greens and blues (which account for the bulk of the Afghan/Brazilian production.) To my knowlege the main producers of these colors are currently Malchan (where this one is from), and the various pegmatites in Madagascar and Nigeria.

This piece really lights up when backlit correctly.

DV02 Aquamarine with Topaz

Sherlovaya Gora, Adun-Cholon Range, Nerchinsk Gem mines, Nerchinsk, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

6.0x 4.3x 3.8 cm

$1500

Despite the fact that this location has been producing gem material intermittently since 1723, specimens remain exceedingly rare. This was by far the best of approximately 5 specimens from a small pocket that were shown at this year's Denver show.

The aquamarine crystal itself has no visible point of attachment. I hesitate to call it double terminated however, because the bottom is lightly etched. The crystal has a good aqua color with slight hints of green, and very good translucency. Under the proper lighting, the color really jumps out and it can be fully appreciated.

The aquamarines have been overgrown by hundreds of terminated, colorless topaz crystals. All in all it is a very beautiful combination specimen from a classic Russian locality, certainly the type of material that is not often seen.

DV03 Apophyllite-(KF)

Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra Prov., India

11.8x 11.4x 7.2 cm

$850

A large cabinet specimen with a starburst of green apophyllite nicely centered on a white, heulandite coated matrix. A couple years ago this would have been called "fluorapophyllite," but the IMA changed the nomenclature.

Despite the fact that these have been coming out for some time, these remain among the most desirable of Indian minerals. They are not as rare as the red fluorites, but the bright greens make them stand out among the masses of generally pastel colored zeolites.

The green color is caused by vanadium inclusions on the order of parts per million. A difference of a few ppm has a substantial effect on the color of the apophyllite-(KF), and accounts for the difference in intensity of the greens from the various locations.

Please note that the last 6 mm of the crystal have been reattached. Apart from the fact that is not noticable, I personally think this is insignificant given that all of the other crystals are perfect, and that it is only a 6 mm section.... still, I realize that this may be off-putting to some people, so i have marked it at approximately 1/3 of what I would consider to be the reasonable value, had that not been the case... and even with that issue it's still a bargain.

DV04 Okenite, Gyrollite, Calcite Kandivali, Mumbai Area, Maharashtra Prov., India 20.0x 16.5x 11.0 cm $650 Yes, I am posting an okenite geode. These have become fairly common over the last 10 years, and are perhaps one of the most iconic of Indian zeolites. Actually, these is a very simple reason for this: the Kandivali quarry is located in the greater Mumbai area, and with the economic boom of the last several years, the quarry's proximity to the growing metropolis made it one of the busiest as the demand for roadfill grew. With more quarrying came more specimens, but then the city grew to include the quarry. These days, it is not uncommon to see taxies with "KANDIVALI" painted on the rear window. Of course, that meant that the value of the land the quarry was situated on increased, so as has happened at so many other locations around the world, developers bought the quarry, and now there will be no more of these okenites, or the prehnite pseudomorphs, babingtonites, etc. This is a great example of this material, a large cabinet specimen consisting of a geode filled with cotton ball-like clusters of acicular okenite and small gyrolite orbs.


Photo Credit: Jaya Ramachandani

DV05 Okenite, Gyrollite, Calcite Kandivali, Mumbai Area, Maharashtra Prov., India 13.0x 11.5x 14.3 cm $650 Ex. Freilich (dealer stock) A large calcite crystal on a prehnite coated matrix. On most specimens that I have seen from this location, the calcite is just an accessory to the prehnite, where it occurs as small crystals (sub 1 cm) scattered around the prehnite stalactites. That is clearly not the case with this specimen, and actually, this is the largest calcite I have seen form this location. It is positioned dramatically on its matrix, and you can see the interesting step-like growth patterns on the right side of the crystal. The left edge has a couple blemishes, but the piece is exactly as you see in the pictures. All in all, it is a dramatic cabinet specimen from a now defunct locality (see explanation in the previous specimen's description)

DV06 Fluorite on Calcite

Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang Pref., Hunan Prov., China

6.5x 3.8x 3.5 cm

$650

Fluorite has become iconic of the Chinese mineral bonanza, yet specimens from the Shangbao mine possess a beauty and refinement not often seen in the much larger masses or plates from the various other fluorite localities. As a result, they are among the most collectible and sought after

This specimen is a perfect example of why this is the case. There is absolutely no damage to the piece, which has multiple purple fluorites with beveled edges and light phantoms perched on a terminated calcite crystal.

Multiple Chinese dealers have told me over the past several months that the Shangbao Mine has closed, meaning that pieces like this will gradually become more and more scarce. Even ignoring that however, this remains an exceptional little miniature.

DV07 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

3.6x 1.4x 1.2 cm

$350

A red, well terminated tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact.

DV08 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

3.8x 1.3x 1.1 cm

$350

A pueplish-red, well terminated tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact.

The Malchan deposit is actually a fairly recent discovery, having been discovered southeast of Lake Baikal (near the Mongolian border) in 1980. The locality has been producing in small amounts since, though on a scale far smaller than either the Brazilian or Afghan tourmaline deposits. I will also add that the "warmer" colored tourmalines (reds, yellows, oranges) are known from fewer deposits than the greens and blues (which account for the bulk of the Afghan/Brazilian production.) To my knowledge the main producers of these colors are currently Malchan (where this one is from), and the various pegmatites in Madagascar and Nigeria. The famous Jonas Mine in Brazil has alos produced similar colors.

DV09 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

3.1x 1.5x 1.5 cm

$290

A well terminated polychrome tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact. The color grades from a maroon red at the base, to a yellowish orange near the top.

DV10 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

3.2x 1.2x 1.0 cm

$250

A brownish red, terminated tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact.

The Malchan deposit is actually a fairly recent discovery, having been discovered southeast of Lake Baikal (near the Mongolian border) in 1980. The locality has been producing in small amounts since, though on a scale far smaller than either the Brazilian or Afghan tourmaline deposits. I will also add that the "warmer" colored tourmalines (reds, yellows, oranges) are known from fewer deposits than the greens and blues (which account for the bulk of the Afghan/Brazilian production.) To my knowledge the main producers of these colors are currently Malchan (where this one is from), and the various pegmatites in Madagascar and Nigeria. The famous Jonas Mine in Brazil has alos produced similar colors.

DV11 Tourmaline var. Elbaite

Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

3.6x 1.6x 1.6 cm

$335

A pueplish-red, well terminated tourmaline from the Malchan pegmatite field in Eastern Siberia. There is no damage; all the edges are sharp and the faces intact.

The Malchan deposit is actually a fairly recent discovery, having been discovered southeast of Lake Baikal (near the Mongolian border) in 1980. The locality has been producing in small amounts since, though on a scale far smaller than either the Brazilian or Afghan tourmaline deposits. I will also add that the "warmer" colored tourmalines (reds, yellows, oranges) are known from fewer deposits than the greens and blues (which account for the bulk of the Afghan/Brazilian production.) To my knowledge the main producers of these colors are currently Malchan (where this one is from), and the various pegmatites in Madagascar and Nigeria. The famous Jonas Mine in Brazil has alos produced similar colors.

DV12 Fluorite on Quartz

Mahodari Quarry, Nasik Area, Maharashtra Prov., India

11.5x 8.0x 2.6 cm

$470

A yellow fluorite hemisphere on a quartz matrix, The piece is entirely damage free.

The small black dot on the lowe right side of the speimen is a julgoldite crystal.

These odd fluorites are the result of very rapid cooling, and are known mainly from two Indian locations: the Mahodari Quarry in Nasik (Maharashtra Prov.) and a second location a few hundred km to the northeast in Madhya Pradesh. Specimens from the second locality tend to be almost stalactitic in appearance, and are often found on dark amethyst. Unfortunately, they are also often scratched up, as if someone were trying to remove an unsightly coating.

DV13 Apophyllite-(KF)

Nasik Area, Maharashtra Prov., India

9.1x 7.4x 4.5 cm

$230

A cabinet specimen hosting a linear cluster of green apophyllites on matrix. A couple years ago this would have been called "fluorapophyllite," but the IMA changed the nomenclature.

It is also interesting to note that the shape of the crystals is also often indicative of their origins. Crystals with flat terminations (like these) typically originate around Nasik, the lightly colored pointed examples are usually found around Jalgaon, and the more intensely colored crystals with pointed terminations have typically come from the area around Poona.

DV14 Calcite, Apophyllite, Laumontite, Heulandite, Stilbite

Nasik Area, Maharashtra Prov., India

12.1x 6.8x 3.5 cm

$320

A cabinet specimen hosting an orange (and fairly deeply colored, for India) calcite crystal that shares its haulandite coated matrix with stilbite, apophyllite, and laumontite (that's 5 total species!)

Although there are 5 species on this piece, they are arranged very delicately and aesthetically, not at all the jumble you would expect from so many species in such close proximity.

I have stabilized the laumontite (the white crystals to the left of the calcite) with white glue. The reason you never really see laumontite specimens from India (or from anywhere else) is that they lose their moisture, and then they crumble away, usually after a couple months. That would undoubtedly have happened to this specimen, but I obtained it probably within a couple weeks of it coming out of the ground. As such, I was able to preserve it as it was found, which in my opinion is quite beautiful.

On another note, as far as India is concerned, I can only recall seeing calcites of this habit and color from Wagholi (the cavansite locality) though those are rarely larger than 1 cm.

DV15 Mesolite in Quartz

Nasik Area, Maharashtra Prov., India

10.1x 5.8x 3.2 cm

$185

A cabinet specimen hosting an orange (and fairly deeply colored, for India) calcite crystal that shares its heulandite coated matrix with stilbite, and apophyllite

There is a bit of cleaving to the calcite crystal, so the price is somewhat lower.

As far as India is concerned, I can only recall seeing calcites of this habit and color from Wagholi (the cavansite locality) though those are rarely larger than 1 cm.

DV41 Calcite, Quartz

Nasik Area, Maharashtra Prov., India

10.1x 6.7x 3.8 cm

$165

A specimen consisting of a double terminated calcite scalenohedron perched on a quartz stalactite. There is a minor cleave on the end of one of the calcite's terminations, but you have to look closely to see it, and the price takes this into account.

DV16 Mesolite in Quartz

Aurangabad, Maharashtra Prov., India

6.2x 5.7x 2.0 cm

$165

An oddity from India, this is a speicmen consisting of a botryoidal chalcedony hosting two bright, reddish orange clusters of another zeollite, possibly mesolite.

I saw some of these at the Houston show for prices starting about double mine....

New and very unusual material, I had not seen anything quite like this prior to this year.

DV17 Mesolite in Quartz

Aurangabad, Maharashtra Prov., India

3.5x 3.3x 1.9 cm

$160

An oddity from India, this is a hemispherical specimen consisting of a botryoidal chalcedony geode enclosing a bright reddish orange cluster of another zeollite, possibly mesolite.

I saw some of these at the Houston show for prices starting about double mine....

In any case, this is a beautiful and very unusual "toenail"/ small miniature sized specimen that certainly stands out.

DV18 Ettringite, Andradite

N'chwanning Mines, Kalahari Mn Fields., South Africa

4.1x 4.0x 3.5 cm

$350

A bright yellow, terminated crystal of ettringite on a matrix mostly composed of andradite. These ettringites are from a find made within the last year and a half.

The last major find of sizable prismatic ettringite at this location was in the 1980's. Since then, there have been numerous crusts, jumbles of small crystals, and flattened examples that don't really stand out from their matrixes.

The ettringite crystals from this find have been quite large by the standards of the species. The pieces posted here are not the biggest crystals from the find, but even so, they remain quite sizable for ettringite.

I will also add that I have priced these significantly lower than what I have seen from the couple other places offering them

DV19 Ettringite, Andradite

N'chwanning Mines, Kalahari Mn Fields., South Africa

5.8x 2.6x 2.2 cm

$250

A bright yellow, terminated crystal of ettringite on a matrix mostly composed of andradite. These ettringites are from a find made within the last year and a half.

The last major find of sizable prismatic ettringite at this location was in the 1980's; since then there have been numerous crusts, jumbles of small crystals, and flattened examples that don't really stand out from their matrixes.

The ettringite crystals from this find have been quite large by the standards of the species. The pieces here are not the biggest crystals from the find, but even so, they remain quite sizable for ettringite.

I will also add that I have priced these significantly lower than what I have seen from the couple other places offering them

DV20 Ettringite, Andradite

N'chwanning Mines, Kalahari Mn Fields., South Africa

4.3x 1.3x 1.2 cm

$200

A bright yellow, terminated crystal of ettringite on a matrix mostly composed of andradite. These ettringites are from a find made within the last year and a half.

The ettringite crystals from this find have been quite large by the standards of the species. The crystals posted here are not the biggest from the find, but even so, they remain quite sizable for ettringite.

I will also add that I have priced these significantly lower than what I have seen from the couple other places offering them

DV21 "Achtaragdite" (Hydrogrossular-Chlorite-Carbonate pseudo after Wadalite [?])

Akhtaragda River mouth, Vilyui River Basin, Saha Republic, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

2.2x 2.1x 1.7 cm

$85

A very unusual pseudomorph, I have only seen a few of these for sale, usually labeled as "Feldspar ps. Helvite." According to Mindat they are actually a combination of minerals after (most likely) a hydrogarnet, though exactly what species has been replaced is unknown.

In any case, this is a pretty good example of this rare pseudo... an interesting mineralogical oddity.

DV22 "Achtaragdite" (Hydrogrossular-Chlorite-Carbonate pseudo after Wadalite [?])

Akhtaragda River mouth, Vilyui River Basin, Saha Republic, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

2.4x 2.2x 2.0 cm

$100

A very unusual pseudomorph, I have only seen a few of these for sale, usually labeled as "Feldspar ps. Helvite."

According to Mindat these specimens are actually a combination of minerals that have replaced what was most likely a hydrogarnet. Exactly what species the specimen originally was however, is unknown.

In any case, this is a pretty good example of this rare pseudo.... an interesting mineralogical oddity.

DV23 Monazite

Olhos D'Aghua Dist., Bocaiuva, Minas Gerais, Brazil

3.3x 3.1x 2.4 cm

$300

A rather large specimen of V-twinned monazite crystals from a very small new find in Brazil. I remember a few years ago there were a number of X-twins from Buenopolis, but those generally much smaller.

The crystals are exceptionally sharp for the size, and the faces well defined. Moreover, some of the faces could actually be called lustrous, and the specimen is complete all around.

This is an excellent miniature specimen of this normally unremarkable species.

DV24 Perovskite

Miass, Ilmen Mts, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Southern Urals, Urals Region, Russia

3.9x 3.9x 2.1 cm

$200

A nice miniature specimen with a sharp and complete, cubic perovskite crystal on matrix.

DV25 Miersite on Cuprite

Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb deposit, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia

4.4x 3.3x 2.8 cm

$430

These cuprites have been around for the last two years, more or less, but the prices have been very, very high. I noticed that one dealer had lowered his prices a bit, so I purchased several specimens.

This specimen would be a very good cuprite in its own right, except that it is one of very few specimens that also has the rare silver copper iodide miersite present as a bright yellow crust on one of the cuprite faces.

Miersite is known from only a few loactions worldwide, and almost always occurs as microcrystals. The only decent specimens I know of have come from the Broken Hill complex in Australia, and now the Rubtsobskoe Mine in Russia.

The marked price would be good for just the cuprite alone, but the miersite is an added bonus.

DV26 Cuprite

Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb deposit, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia

6.7x 5.3x 3.4 cm

$300

This specimen has a minor silver association, particularly visible in the lower left hand image.

DV27 Cuprite, Silver

Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb deposit, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia

4.0x 2.7x 2.5 cm

$160

This specimen has a silver association, partially visible in the lower right hand image. There is more of this silver on the bottom.

DV28 Red Quartz, Calcite, Dolomite Chalcopyrite

Fengjiashan Mine, Huangshi Pref., Hubei Prov., China

16.0x 12.9x 10.5 cm

$370

A large cabinet specimen of quartz, stained bright-red by iron oxide inclusions. Parts of the quartz cluster have been overgrown by dolomite, chalcopyrite, and there are calcite scalenohedrons interspersed throughout the matrix.

These were first debuted about a year ago, and are a beautiful example of red colored quartz.

DV29 Red Quartz, Calcite, Dolomite Chalcopyrite

Fengjiashan Mine, Huangshi Pref., Hubei Prov., China

16.2x 13.2x 6.5 cm

$360

These were first debuted about a year ago, and are a beautiful example of red colored quartz.

DV30 Red Quartz, Calcite, Dolomite Chalcopyrite

Fengjiashan Mine, Huangshi Pref., Hubei Prov., China

14.5x 12.3x 7.6 cm

$335

A large cabinet specimen of quartz, stained bright-red by iron oxide inclusions. Parts of the quartz cluster have been overgrown by dolomite, and chalcopyrite.

These were first debuted about a year ago, and are a beautiful example of red colored quartz.

DV31 Red Quartz, Calcite, Dolomite Chalcopyrite

Fengjiashan Mine, Huangshi Pref., Hubei Prov., China

17.2x 13.1x 8.0 cm

$330

A large cabinet specimen of quartz, stained bright-red by iron oxide inclusions. On this speicmen, most of the quartz cluster has been overgrown by calcite scalenohedrons which are also stained red by iron oxide.

These were first debuted about a year ago, and are a beautiful example of red colored quartz.

DV32 Dioptase

Christoff Mine, Kuene Region, Kaokoveld Plateau, Namibia

3.5x 2.7x 2.2 cm

$165

A nice minature specimen consisting of a medallion-like cluter of elongated dioptase crystals. This locality is the latest Namibian dioptase producer, and it's specimens have some of the largest crystals found in the country to date: the average crystal size at Tsumeb and even the early 2000's finds at Kandesi were considerably smaller.

This is nice miniature specimen from the find, and an example of material that has not been very widely available.

DV33 Dioptase

Christoff Mine, Kuene Region, Kaokoveld Plateau, Namibia

3.4x 3.2x 2.4 cm

$165

This is nice miniature specimen from the find, and an example of material that has not been very widely available.

DV34 Rhodochrosite
Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan
5.6x 3.4x 1.6 cm
$230

A very unusual rhodochrosite, from a find made in the mid 1990's. Botryoidal rhodochrosite is known from a few places, particularly a few long closed localities in Germany and Japan. Where these differ most however, is in the depth of the red color. More often than not, botryoidal rhodochrosite tends to be a very light pink. At Ushkatyn, it is nearly maroon. Actually, I cannot think of another location that has quite this color of rhodochrosite, be it crystalline or botryoidal.

This specimen is rather unique because you can actually see the many small crystals that have formed in an almost compressed manner, making the specimen appear botryoidal. On most of these pieces, the individual crystals are indistinguishable.

This interesting material is not often available, and while I don't expect them to sell particularly quickly, they were just too cool to pass up.

DV35 Rhodochrosite

Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan

7.8x 6.5x 2.1 cm

$390

A very unusual rhodochrosite, from a find made in the mid 1990's. Botryoidal rhodochrosite is known from a few places, particularly a few long closed localities in Germany and Japan. Where these differ most however, is in the depth of the red color. More often than not, botryoidal rhodochrosite tends to be a very light pink. At Ushkatyn, it is nearly maroon. Actually, I cannot think of another location that has quite this color of rhodochrosite, be it crystalline or botryoidal.

One side of the specimen has been polished to show the concentric banding of rhodochrosite beneath the surface.

The piece is probably 90% rhodochrosite, usually rhodo layer s somewhat thinner.

This was one of the larger specimens available, and I selected it because it did not have a shard-like appearance, as is so often the case when a specimen was originally part of a much larger layer of material. It also shows the botryoidal habit well, and the rhodochrosite is particularly thick.

This interesting material is not often available, and while I don't expect them to sell particularly quickly, they were just too cool to pass up.

DV36 Rhodochrosite
Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan
5.0x 3.9x 2.9 cm
$200

A very unusual rhodochrosite, from a find made in the mid 1990's. Botryoidal rhodochrosite is known from a few places, particularly a few long closed localities in Germany and Japan. Where these differ most however, is in the depth of the red color. More often than not, botryoidal rhodochrosite tends to be a very light pink. At Ushkatyn, it is nearly maroon. Actually, I cannot think of another location that has quite this color of rhodochrosite, be it crystalline or botryoidal.

DV37 Rhodochrosite
Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan
5.6x 3.4x 1.6 cm
$185

A very unusual rhodochrosite, from a find made in the mid 1990's. Botryoidal rhodochrosite is known from a few places, particularly a few long closed localities in Germany and Japan. Where these differ most however, is in the depth of the red color. More often than not, botryoidal rhodochrosite tends to be a very light pink. At Ushkatyn, it is nearly maroon. Actually, I cannot think of another location that has quite this color of rhodochrosite, be it crystalline or botryoidal.

DV38 RhodochrositeUshkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan

8.2x 5.3x 2.5 cm

$250

There is some edge wear, but given the condition that these are usually in, this one is in pretty good shape. The the Russians tended to treat this stuff as lapidary material, so specimens would get thrown together, and often times destroyed. That is how these specimens were kept, and i searched to find the examples that were best suitable for specimens.

This piece survived pretty well, displaying the botryoidal form and a nice pearly luster.

This interesting material is not often available, and while I don't expect them to sell particularly quickly, they were just too cool to pass up.

DV39 Rhodochrosite

Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan

6.8x 7.5x 2.3 cm

$300

This is one of the larger specimens I obtained, and this material is not often available these days.

DV40 Rhodochrosite

Ushkatyn deposits, Zhayrem, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan

6.1x 4.3x 2.1 cm

$200

This piece clearly displays the botryoidal form and a nice pearly luster