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Chinese Mineral Specimens "Top Shelf Killers"
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OKE-139 Acanthite Huang Tong Xiang Mine, Town of Lu Jiang, Anhui Prov., China. This large acanthite cluster is composed of large and poorly formed crystals of this silver sulfide. The specimen measures 10 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm with crystals to 3 cm each. There are numerous tiny contact marks of a brighter luster which don’t distract from its looks and a couple of tiny wire silvers on the backside which are hardly noticeable. This is a substantial piece at a good value. 1,850$
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OKE-130 Azurite Ball Chengmenshan, Jiangxi Prov., China. Here is one of the finest azurite specimens I have ever seen from any location. It is highly aesthetic and composed of large crystals. I found a total of nine of these beauties at this year’s Tucson show and grabbed them all up. There were a couple others which had noticeable damage which I passed on. They are likely from an old find which did produce a few nice balls like this. They were certainly few and far between then. Now they are nearly impossible to find. This ball is well formed measuring 8 x 7 x 7 cm and is the deep blue color that one expects in a top azurite (and which is nearly impossible to photograph well). The crystals are thick and blocky and very large. Some crystals are up to 2.2 cm each and most are well over a cm on edge. This floater is displayable from any angle and quite amazing. There are a couple minor rubs that are not readily evident. This is a top shelf azurite specimen at a low price due to the overall lack of appreciation of these fine minerals from China. Killer specimen…. 1,200$
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OKE-161 Fluorite Xianghuapu, Linwu County, Chenzhou District, Hunan Prov., China. Huge cluster of green cubes to \over 4 cm each on edge. The cluster is a dome shaped piece which is in excellent condition. There are two or three small rubs and one badly dinged cube on the backside. Great condition for such a large piece. Approximately 28 x 22 x 14 cm in size. Cubes have great clarity and a frosted surface effect yet retains a nice satin luster. Nice phantoms in some crystals. The matrix is brown and can be viewed through many of the crystals and between them in a coulpe of places. A fine specimen to bring some size contrast to a collection focusing on smaller specimens or an excellent home decor piece. 1,950$
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OKE-169 Rhodochrosite, Quartz, Fluorite Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China. (I was told it was from Ba Pu, Guanxi Prov., China but I am 95% sure this is wrong and its owes its origins to the Yaogangxian Mine). Most people have only recently become aware of rhodochrosite form China due to its influx beginning in 2005. Truth is the material has trickled in for over a decade but in extremely small amounts, none of which has ever been very good. I have followed this mineral closely over those years and have never found a finer, larger crystal than the one viewed here. The rhodos from China are generally very poor. Usually tabular and light pink in color no one has ever gotten too excited about them. This crystal is 5.1 cm wide and 4.1 cm high. It is very thin and translucent with the typical pink color. Lots of other surface interest including fluorites, quartz, quartz capped by fluorite and a second generation of fluorite. Small chip on one edge otherwise damage free. I have this mounted showing the damage but it could easily be mounted in a way which would hide it. This is truly an exceptional find which must rank as one of the top crystals to ever be found in China. It would be an outstanding addition to any Chinese or rhodo collection. Very displayable and desirable but not at a outrageous, rhodo type price. This one can be yours for…. 1,700$
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