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March 2008 Update
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OKF-477 Calcite Twins Lynx Mine, Long Lake, Ontario, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. A showy thumbnail which is mounted in a perky box and measures 3.1 x 3 x 3 cm. It is composed, primarily of two complex twin crystals which sit up high of a tiny section of matrix. The crystals are for the most part clear with some deeper regions appearing translucent. There are minor dustings of pyrite crystals on selective faces. Unusual to find specimens of calcite from this locale that are tiny and totally damage free such as this one. Looks to be a floater but hard to tell what’s below the side attached to the base of perky box. Outstanding specimen! 125$
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OKF-478 Rutile Quarry near Chateau Brilliant, North shore of Lake MacGregor, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. This partial twin (octling) measures 2 x 2 x 1,4 cm overall and is deep red in color. The piece is highly striated, translucent and nicely formed. This damage free crystal has a tiny attachment area and another which is poorly cleaned, almost appearing as if there is an area of matrix (which it is not). An uncommon specimen in this fine a quality and twinned. The type of piece which I sometimes under describe that is desirable on so many different levels. 225$
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OKF-479 Pyrite Navajun, Spain. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. This cluster is composed of four cubes to 1.4 cm on edge. The stack is aesthetic and measures out at 3.3 x 2.1 x 2.4 cm. The crystals are perfectly formed and of the high luster one expects from the best material from this locale. The smallest cube has a tiny chip on a single corner which is not distracting. A great quality, affordable, thumbnail specimen. 35$
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OKF-496 Sphalerite Poudrette Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Canadian Museum of Nature specimen, circ. 1972. A cluster measuring 2.6 x 2.4 x 1.6 cm overall. Floater cluster with one tiny area of contact. Damage free and displays well from all sides. Opaque crystals of a black/ green color which measure to 1.7 cm each. Moderate luster and interesting form. A common species which is rare in good crystals at this famous locale. 110$
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OKF-497 Siderite Twin Poudrette Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Circ. 1982. This is an exceptional example of a specimen for which this site is famous. It is a damage free floater which measures 3.7 x 3.5 x 1.5 cm overall. The form is excellent! Deeply knotched twin re-entrant angles. Mildly translucent crystal has other minerals (likely feldspars) as minor coatings. The small ones don’t get any better than this fine example. And the price is excellent for one of this high a quality….60$
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OKF-499 Arfvedsonite, Sodalite and Natrolite De-Mix Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collector, 1980. Here is a beautiful example of a rare species in a damage free floater crystal. The arvedsonite is jet black with the highest of luster. It is a double terminated piece but approximately half of one termination is cruder that the others which are exceptionally fine. 2.2 x 1.9 x 1 cm. The rider crystals are small and complete and the entire specimen is moderately striated. A fine example at a price that can’t be beat! 35$
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OKF-501 Petarasite De-Mix Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collector, 1980. A Mt. St-Hilaire rarity for which this species is the type locality. Very rare in a crystal of any level of completeness. This is a crystal measuring 1.6 x 1.5 x 1.4 cm which is single terminated and has other species in minor crystals embedded within it and on it. Rather crude in form (much better than most, however), but very nice luster and an exceptionally rare find at any price. 550$
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OKF-502 Serandite, Analcime and Natrolite RESERVED De-Mix Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Prev. Canadian Museum of Nature, ex. Jaques Bradley Collection, 1983. St-Hilaire is famous for this aesthetic combination of minerals. This fine example is a damage free floater with a large serandite measuring 1.5 cm on edge with white natrolites and analcine crystals of excellent form. Minor rhodochrosite and other minerals too. 3 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm overall. The serandite crystal is salmon color which does not show well in these photographs. Aesthetic and displays great from all sides. Priced to go at 120$
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OKF-503 Catapleiite De-Mix Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collector, 1980. A pair of somewhat triangular crystals of this rare mineral measuring 2.4 and 2.2 cm wide. One of the crystals is different…I’m not sure if this is twinned or simply parallel growth. There are somewhat rough in areas and excellent in others areas. The pair can be had for 100$
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OKF-504 Catapleiite De-Mix Quarry, Mt. St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Ex. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Dr. Steve Chamberlain collector, 1980. This is an exceptionally well formed crystal with only the smallest of matrix contacts. No damage. I’m not sure if this is twinned or simply parallel growth, but there is obviously some thing unusual going on here. It measures 1.6 cm across and is aesthetic for the species. Great luster, color and form all add to how desirable this rare find is. A fine piece in all regards. 200$
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OKI-212 Gypsum (“Rams Horn Selenite”) Qinnong Mine, Guizhou Prov., China. This is a magnificent specimen which I purchased five years ago in Tucson and placed on display here at my home. Since then I have seen no equal. This fine specimen measures 20.5 x 10 x 8.5 cm overall and has a large crystal spray measuring 7.5 x 7.5 cm in its central region. These primary selenites show superb form and the entire piece is overgrown by tiny secondary crystal of selenite giving the piece a wonderful sparkle. Similar to the classic Mexican material but even flashier. There are other smaller curved selenites as well as the primary grouping. There is a minor rub to the top of one of the selenites which is not distracting when displayed properly. Nice large display piece which seems to be a rarity for this prolific country. Minor sawing to base so it sits nicely. A great piece. 800$
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OKI-216 Smithsonite Kelly Mine, Magdelena, New Mexico. 5.5 x 3.5 x 2 cm specimen with beautiful, classic green/blue balls of smithsonite on a dark brown/black matrix. There is only the slightest of damage to the very edge of piece on left side of specimen (nearly invisible and not at all distracting. This one sits up on edge nicely and is a fine display specimen of this classic material. 250$
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OKI-217 Smithsonite Kelly Mine, Magdelena, New Mexico. 6.5 x 4.1 cm plate which is a cast after some other mineral of botryoidal form. It is composed of the typical, beautiful, classic green/blue balls of smithsonite. It is a damage free display piece which is uncommon on today’s market in this quality. Classic American material in a nicely sized and formed piece. 375$
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OKI-218 Smithsonite Kelly Mine, Magdelena, New Mexico. 4.8 x 4.2 x 2.5 cm specimen on minor matrix. It is composed of a darker than normal color of smithsonite in a thick coating on matrix. It is a damage free of great quality which displays nicely. Classic American material in a brightly colored and nicely formed piece. 250$
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OKI-221 Rhodochrosite, Fluorite and Pyrite Wudong Mine (Babu), Liubao, Chang Wu County, Wuzhou Prefecture, Guangxi Prov., China. This is a very bright red specimen with crudely formed crystals on pyrite, minor green fluorite and other sulfides. Minor damage to lower right of piece which, as you can see is not distracting. I’d say it is in very good condition for this material. 5 x 4 x 3.3 cm. Displays nicely and adds great color to any display. Nicely priced and several steps brighter than the usual pink and washed out red materials from this location. 95$
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OKI-223 Calcite “Cup Calcite”, “Flower Calcite” Bao Shan, Yunnan Prov., China. These strange crystals appeared several years ago, were always uncommon and always expensive (until now). They are formed much like an overgrown pyromorphite, vanadinite or mimetite crystal being hoopered and hollow. This one measures 6.1 cm long and has a couple contact areas but is in good condition. Priced to go. 40$
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OKI-224 Calcite “Cup Calcite”, “Flower Calcite” Bao Shan, Yunnan Prov., China. These strange crystals appeared several years ago, were always uncommon and always expensive (until now). They are formed much like an overgrown pyromorphite, vanadinite or mimetite crystal being hoopered and hollow. This one measures 8.4 cm long and is a floater with only one very minor chip (tough to find). Entirely hollow down middle and could be substituted for a shot glass! Priced to go. 95$
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OKI-225 Calcite “Cup Calcite”, “Flower Calcite” Bao Shan, Yunnan Prov., China. These strange crystals appeared several years ago, were always uncommon and always expensive (until now). They are formed much like an overgrown pyromorphite, vanadinite or mimetite crystal being hoopered and hollow, but this one is not hollow. This one measures 6.2 cm long, is singly terminated and damage free. Minor striations. A fine piece. Priced to go. 65$
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OKI-226 Fluorapatite on Quartz Yaogangxian Mine, Yihang County, Chenzhau Prefecture, Hunan Prov., China. Several fine fluorapatites to 1.5 cm are gracing the side of two clear quartz points. The terminations of the apatites are clean and gemmy and the prisms are included, translucent and slightly frosted in some cases. The front/ side view is great and other views okay. There is no damage to the piece. The specimen measures 4.4 x 3 x 2 cm. A nice piece and certainly not a common species for this prolific mine. 60$
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OKI-219 Apophyllite Fengjiashan Wollastonite Mine, Daye Mining Area, Hibie Prov., China. Thesae are the fist we have seen of this new color for the Daye mine material. Huge crystals for this locale, too! The crystals are gemmy and a peach color which is very attractive, in hand. The crystals on this one are up to 3 cm each and the entire piece is a 5 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm cluster which sits on edge and displays beautifully. High luster. I only found about a dozen of these at Tucson and all the others had excessive damage. Will there be more? If no these are important specimen which you had better get after now. I only have these three and I’m not asking an arm and leg for them. 135$
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OKI-219 Apophyllite Fengjiashan Wollastonite Mine, Daye Mining Area, Hibie Prov., China. These are the first we have seen of this new color for the Daye mine material. Huge crystals for this locale, too! The crystals are gemmy and a peach color which is very attractive, in hand. The crystals on this one are up to 3 cm each and the entire piece is a 5 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm cluster which sits on edge and displays beautifully. High luster. I only found about a dozen of these at Tucson and all the others had excessive damage. Zero damage, almost floater with very minor base contact. Will there be more? If no these are important specimen which you had better get after now. I only have these three and I’m not asking an arm and leg for them. 135$
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OKI-227 Apophyllite on Amethyst Fengjiashan Wollastonite Mine, Daye Mining Area, Hibie Prov., China. These are the first we have seen of this new color for the Daye mine material. Huge crystals for this locale, too! The crystals are gemmy and a peach color which is very attractive, in hand. The crystals on this one are up to 2.5 cm each and the entire piece is a 7.5 x 6 x 4.5 cm cluster which sits on edge and displays beautifully. High luster. Harsh contacts on back. Damage free display face. Amethyst crystals are on back so not really displayable. I only found about a dozen of these at Tucson and all the others had excessive damage. Will there be more? If no these are important specimen which you had better get after now. I only have these three and I’m not asking an arm and leg for them. An important specimen. 250$
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OKI-229 Grossular-Andradite near Sandare, Cercie Nioro do Sahel, Kayes Region, Mali, Africa. I have known of and purchased the garnets, epidote and prehnite material from this area for 20 years (long before it was known on the general mineral market). These are by FAR the best quality garnets I have seen from the locale in that time. The identification of the garnet species is still being debated, but while that goes on why not get one of these fine crystal groupings!? This plate has crystals to 2.2 cm each combining to form a specimen that measures 10 x 6.7 x 3.8 cm. The crystals show beautifully formed faces with interesting growth features and are translucent. They are zoned in their growth and may, in fact, be several species of garnet in each crystal. This beautiful piece has very minimal contacts with other crystals, displays on both sides and a fair amount of smaller, secondary growth garnets. Amazingly clean form, high luster and lack of damage make this a wonderful specimen. 195$
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OKI-230 Grossular-Andradite near Sandare, Cercie Nioro do Sahel, Kayes Region, Mali, Africa. I have known of and purchased the garnets, epidote and prehnite material from this area for 20 years (long before it was known on the general mineral market). These are by FAR the best quality garnets I have seen from the locale in that time. The identification of the garnet species is still being debated, but while that goes on why not get one of these fine crystal groupings!? This grouping has crystals to 3.8 cm each combining to form a specimen that measures 11.2 x 7 x 6.5 cm. The crystals show beautifully formed faces with interesting growth features and are translucent. Many areas are translucent green. They are zoned in their growth and may, in fact, be several species of garnet in each crystal. This beautiful piece which has numerous contacts with other crystals but a relatively clean display face. Crystallized on all sides and a fair amount of smaller, secondary growth garnets. 150$
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OKI-232 Hemimorphite from a small unnamed prospect, Wenshan, Yunnan Prov., China. An exceptional plate of hemimorphite of mixed blue colors. This specimen measures 16.3 x 12.2 and is about 5 cm thick on average. It is damage free, saw trimmed to size and stands on edge for display. Great colorful display specimen which speaks for itself in the photos. 375$
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OKI-233 Hemimorphite from a small unnamed prospect, Wenshan, Yunnan Prov., China. An exceptional plate of hemimorphite of mixed blue and white colors. This specimen measures 18 x 11.5 and is about 4 cm thick on average. It is damage free, saw trimmed to size and stands on edge for display. Great colorful display specimen which speaks for itself in the photos. . 375$
