Chinese Babingtonite Specimens
The mineral babingtonite is a rare silicate which seldom
forms nice crystals and is only known in a few noteworthy locations: the Lane
Quarry in Massachusetts and recently the Roncari Quarry in Connecticut are well
known to east coast collectors. The babingtonites from these classic east coast
localities have recently been eclipsed by a new find from China, however. All
experts strongly agree that these new babingtonites are, by far,
the best ever found. Yes, by far the best the world has ever seen. They are far
larger, crisper in their crystal form, higher in luster and have better mineral
associations, often being found in combination with finely crystallized quartz
and prehnite. In a nut shell, they are the best of the best and will be looked
at as modern classics.
The prices of these specimens have been commensurate with
other fine specimens that are considered the best of their species and rare in
exceptional specimens. Even what I would consider poor quality specimens have
been in the thousands of dollars. This year at the Tucson Show I finally made
the plunge and purchased a lot of eight specimens which I consider to be the
best of all those I saw with the several dealers who had them. They were not
cheap but they were much more reasonably priced than the past two years. The
best two of these were the finest quality specimens I have seen of this
material. Let me explain…
While some dealers look at black minerals with the same
basic guideline in mind (bigger is better), I do not. Yes, large crystal size
is very important but, in my mind, black minerals must have exceptional luster
to be considered of fine quality (this probably comes from 40 years of
collecting black uvite crystals here in New York State!). These specimens I’ve
been seeing which have good, but not exceptional luster and run thousands to
tens of thousands of dollars are NOT the best examples of the species.
The specimen to follow have the top luster I am speaking of and they don’t get
it from being oiled! Further, the crystals are very sharply formed, sometimes
complex in their morphology and often double terminated. They sit up high off
their matrices and the minerals which compose those matrices are also
exceptional for their form and luster. In other words, the entire specimen
exhibits that “flash” we all desire in displayable mineral specimens no matter
what their color or species. I would not have invested so much money in adding
more black minerals to my specimen inventory in these tough economic times
unless I felt they were as good as I am implying.
These specimens have trickled out of China over the past
three years with few of this high a quality being made available. It is my hope
that any collector looking for quality specimens will recognize the value
presented here. Waiting another year or two is unlikely to affect the pricing
of this material but it could certainly limit its availability. Please
note…all of these specimens have been photographed under low lighting so the
luster on the babingtonite crystals is even higher than the images indicate!
OKI-712 Babingtonite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County, Sichuan
Prov., China. This fine example is compsed of numerous crystals to over 1.5 cm
each which spray out in all directions from this aesthetic miniature. 5.3 x 4 x
3.3 cm overall. There is one tiny contact on the base, otherwise a damage free
floater. Exceptional luster, form and aesthetics. Lots of flash created by the
tiny quartz crystals scattered everywhere on this one. Great piece! 395$
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Custom engraved acrylic base. |
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OKI-713 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. A great specimen for the collector who enjoys fine
combination pieces. This is actually a well balanced mix of double and single
terminated clear quartz, large prehnite balls, to 3 cm, and babingtonites of
great luster to 1.3 cm each. The specimen is almost a floater with only a small
area of base contact and two tiny quartz crystals with minor damage on the
back. Outstanding quality which will be appreciated. The specimen views
exceptionally well from any direction, it sits well and it has lots of flash.
There are several parallel plated mineralized on all sides which compose the
piece. 6.8 x 5.5 x 5. cm overall. Comes with a custom engraved
acrylic base. Nice! 400$
OKI-714 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. Here is a top shelf miniature composed of super sized
single and double terminated babingtonites to 3.2 cm each. The biggest crystal
is double terminated and all are damage free. Base is flat and not
crystallized. Beautiful high luster crystal interlock with minor quartz and a 2
cm prehnite ball. 5.5 x 5 x 2.7 cm. Crystals of this size are far from common
and especially uncommon in such fine form and luster. This piece will speak for
itself and not want for a home for very long. 1,400$
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Custom engraved acrylic base. |
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OKI-715 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This amazing piece is certainly a show stopper.
Measuring in at 11.3 x 5.5 x 4.2 cm it is the type of cabinet specimen which
commands interest. A pleasing mix of species dominated by numerous HUGE babs
to 4 cm each, many of which are double terminated and of high luster.
Looks like a floater (maybe a small area of contact on some of the prehnite).
NO damage. Everything is very clean and attractive. The double
terminated quartz crystals scattered about on the specimen add flash. This
piece displays wonderfully. It is not every day that killer specimens like
this become available at the low price I am asking. You’ll be surprised.
Comes with a custom engraved acrylic base. $5,000
OKI-716 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This large plate of crystals if fully mineralized on both
sides and has only one thin edge contact. Babs to 2.2 cm each, many of which
are double terminated totally coat one side and about 25% of the second side.
11 x 7 x 3.2 cm overall. Fantastic specimen in all regards. 750$
OKI-717 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz
SOLD Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster of large crystals (to just shy of 4 cm each)
creates what has to be considered an important piece. They don’t get much more
impressive than this one. The specimen is a simple plate of crystals with one
area having a small area of crystal contact which isn’t distracting to the
overall impressiveness of this monster. 11 x 7.3 x 5 cm overall. Fine luster
and superior crystal size but this on the radar of serious collectors who look
for the best. There is no question as to what species dominates this specimen
with the accessories is small, non-distracting crystals. I could probably write
a page on how good this specimen is but won’t. If you have been considering
getting one of the best specimens from the top locality for the species in the
world…well, here you are. Price on Request
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Prehnite ball with quartz. |
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Custom engraved acrylic base. |
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OKI-151 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This fine example is the second-best piece I was able to
find Tucson show. The display face is liberally coated with fine, large,
lustrous babingtonites to over 2 cm on edge. Almost all the crystals are doubly
terminated and none show any form of damage. They are not densely intergrown,
but spread out nicely with prehnite and clear quartz filling the voids between
them. The specimen measures 10 x 8 cm and is a plate slightly over 3 cm thick.
This piece sits nicely on edge and views beautifully from all sides. The only
contact is the base on which it sits. The quartz crystals are excellent and the
prehnite balls are up to 2 cm each. The backside of the specimen is coated by
small prehnites and a few quartz crystals. This specimen is of the highest
quality found for this material. $1995
OKI-152 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This miniature is a plate measuring 4.1 x 4 cm. It is 2
cm thick and its backside is coated by prehnites of a lower luster. The display
face is beautiful sporting two large babingtonite crystals the largest of which
is 2.4 cm. The second-largest measures just shy of 2 cm. There are two edge
contacts on the plate and no damage to the babingtonites, quartz or prehnite. A
very nice specimen for the collector who desires large crystals on small
matrices. $395
OKI-153 Babingtonite, Prehnite and Quartz Near Meigu, Xichang County,
Sichuan Prov., China. This piece is an absolute killer miniature. It measures
5 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm and is dominated by a single huge babingtonite crystal
measuring 2.7 cm in length, 3 cm in width, in 1.2 cm in thickness. It is of is
slightly lesser luster than the others specimens described in section, but the
crystal was so impressive and well displayed that I could not turn it down.
This is another fine piece for someone who likes big crystals on a small
matrix. The prehnite is slightly yellow in color and the quartz are so clear
that they are barely visible. An impressive specimen for this rare species.
$495
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