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Wulfentite, Mimetite and Calcite
Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein,
Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Over the late 2007 and 2008 collecting seasons some of these fine specimens were trickling out of Mexico and showing up in the inventories of some of the “big” dealers…at some amazingly big prices. At the 2009 Tucson Show two wholesalers had supplies of the same material available for sale. One had quite a bit of the material but almost all was damaged. The second dealer had far less and I found none which were damage free. As you will see from the specific descriptions and images there are several crystal forms among the wulfenites. They have nice transparency and are at the very least translucent. The mimetites are consistently a deep green color, botryoidal and silky in their surface texture. The calcite is a minor species and usually white in color adding a nice contrast to the color mix in some specimens. The crystals of wulfenite are seldom over a cm each but the overall size of the specimens available varied greatly. They are an attractive butterscotch color, slightly striated and of outstanding luster for the species. If I had wanted to spend thousands an get specimens a foot across I could have. The problem is that the crystals were still the same size so I saw no point in anyone doing this unless they intended to cut up the specimens into many smaller pieces.
These are priced to move and the best of the five flats I purchased. Nothing above 100$ Enjoy.
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OKI-200 Wulfentite and Mimetite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This is a dome shaped specimen measuring 4.8 x 4 x 2.4 cm. It has lots of small wulfenites to .8 cm each (most .4 to .6 cm). They are slightly bipyramidal in form with basal pinicoids truncating the bipyramids. Nice crystal translucence and crystals have darker color band around their midsections. Minor mimetite balls. I see one small broken crystal with magnification within body of the piece and minor damage on back of specimen. Sawn flat base. 35$
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OKI-202 Wulfentite and Mimetite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. Here is a larger specimen with fine bipyramidal wulfenites to 1.3 cm each. The entire piece measures 7.7 x 6 x 3.2 cm. There is a good quantity of both species and they are spread out nicely on this elongated piece. It views well from all sides with only a couple small chipped crystals which show themselves under magnification. Sawn base. Great specimen which would surely be a treat for any collector who enjoys Mexican minerals or wulfenites. 95$
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OKI-204 Wulfentite and Calcite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This specimen is different in that the crystals are blocky and gemmy (with moderate inclusions). The crystals are lustrus and up to .7 cm each. They have a nice contrast against the brown gossan and the small metallic looking calcites add additional appeal. There is minor sawing to one edge and back. 5.4 x 4 1 1.5 cm. No damage. 50$
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OKI-205 Wulfentite, Mimetite and Calcite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This dome shaped specimen is really attractive on all its sides. All minerals are present in nice colors and forms. The specimen is a floater with a vug on one side. The wulfenites are blocky and are up to .5 cm each. The only damage is a tiny contact mark on its base. 5.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Great piece. 65$
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OKI-206 Wulfentite and Calcite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. This 4.4 x 3.6 x 3 cm piece is a dome coated by small double terminated wulfenites to .5 cm and large green mimetite balls. No damage. Exceptional miniature sized specimen. 45$
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OKI-207 Wulfentite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. Blocky, slightly tapered rectangular crystals to .8 cm on one side of a sawn specimen plate measuring 7.2 x 3.5 cm. Great coverage of crystals on a fine damage free specimen. 40$
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OKI-208 Wulfentite and Mimetite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. Excellent coverage by large (to 1 cm) wulfenites and tiny green mimetite balls. The specimen measures 5.7 x 4.3 x 1.7 cm and is partially sawn flat on the back. I see three crystals damaged when under magnification. This damage will not appear obvious and I still consider this a fine specimen even given my hatred of damage. 70$
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OKI-210 Wulfentite and Calcite Level 6, San Juan Poniente Vein, Mina La Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. A nice coverage of double terminated crystals to .7 cm each on one side of this plate. It measures 6 x 4.2 cm and is 1.5 cm thick. No damage. Nice example. 40$
