MINERALS PRICED $50.00 TO
$250.00
  |
CALCITE
with included secondary copper minerals
Stock #4600
Laurion, Greece
An
interesting piece from the famous mines of Laurion. Pale sky-blue
calcite color is the result of tiny inclusions of secondary copper oxide
minerals. The calcites occur on a limonitic gossan with smattering
of small malachite and azurite crystals.
Size: 6.2 x 5.8 x 5.7 cm.
|
  |
TITANITE
with HEMATITE & ADULARIA
Stock #4662
Tormeq, Skardu,
Gilgit, Pakistan
A nice,
apple green titanite 2.5cm long on a matrix of hematite and chlorite on
adularia. The color is a bit washed out in this photo, and is
actually a very pleasing green hue!
Size: 5.2 x 3.9 x 2.8 cm.
|
|
|
  |
MALACHITE
Stock #4663
Democratic Republic of
the Congo
This is
a nicely crystalline malachite stalactite that for some reason got fatter
toward the end. Often, stalactites (or stalagmites) from the Congo
have a dull, matte finish, while this one is bright and lustrous.
Size: 11.1 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm.
|
  |
ROSELITE
Stock #4664
Bou Azzer, Anti Atlas
Mountains, Morocco
I have
put off purchasing minerals like roselite because so many of the other
internet dealers sold pieces when they first came out with good quality
specimens back in 2000. Well, I just couldn't pass these up due the
large crystals, exceptionally deep color and good contrast with the white
calcite matrix. This piece has crystals at least up to 4mm, and
possibly larger. There are several isolated crystals in addition to
the masses of really deep, rich color. So many of the arsenates are
beautifully colored, and this cobalt-arsenate is extra special.
Size: 7 x 6 x 3.3 cm.
|
 |
ROSELITE
Stock #4665
Bou Azzer, Morocco
Similar
to the last specimen, this piece has fantastic color and large
crystals. It is difficult to see the relief within the pocket, as it
is hidden by the depth of field in the photo. It is a very nice
specimen.
Size: 4.5 x 4.5 x 3.3 cm.
|
  |
SIDERITE
& HEMATITE ON CALCITE
Stock #4667
Shaft 371,
Hartenstein, Saxony, Germany
Here is
a classic from Saxony. Disc shaped siderites to nearly 2cm have
grown preferentially on one side of each large, hematite coated calcite
scalenohedra. A minor dusting of hematite is also found on some of
the siderites. For added interest, the calcites are actually
pseudomorphed or at least epimorphed from an earlier generation
calcite. This is especially obvious when the specimen is turned over
to look at the bottom where it came off the vein wall.
Size: 10.5 x 8.8 x 3.4 cm.
|
At the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines show this year, I lucked into a
new find of augelites from Peru. I had heard rumors that someone had found
augelites, but guessed that they were just Bolivian specimens brought over to
Lima to be sold as Peruvian rocks. Much to my surprise, these are indeed a
new find from Peru. The Ortega brothers from Lima located an abandoned
mine with lots of quartz crystals. They filed a concession and began
mining the quartz to be used as bases for their stone bird carvings. Soon
after mining began, they started finding Japan Law twin specimens among the
quartz plates. A few months ago, they encountered a zone with mostly
broken green crystals that they thought were fluorites. After collecting
some complete crystals, they brought some pieces to Europe and started showing
them around. Visual inspection, and testing at the museums in Milan
and Vienna proved that the mineral was actually augelite. These are among
the very finest augelites known to the mineral hobby. The crystal form,
color, and gemmy nature make these very desirable, and set them apart from
augelites from either Bolivia or the Yukon.
The specimens being offered here are the result of severe
culling. Perhaps 200 or 300 specimens were brought to the show, but
most were horribly damaged. They have yet to find any really exceptional
larger matrix specimens. The Ortegas hope to continue mining, but indicate
that it might not be worth the added investment for road building, mine
development, and purchase of larger equipment. They didn't sound optimistic for additional
production. This is most unfortunate, as evidenced by the quality of these
specimens, the mine could well redefine the quality standards for augelite.
The mine was claimed by the Ortegas under the name of Mina
Ortega. It is located to the North of the famous Huanzalá mine in Ancash
Department. I do not yet know the history of the mine, nor it's original
name, but I will certainly do some research and let you know what I find.
For the time being, all we can do is enjoy some fine new
minerals!
Please note that for some reason, the green color seems to
wash out a bit in photographs. I will make a blanket statement that the
actual color is as good or better than seen it the
photographs!
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4584
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
Two
interlocking crystals with a bit of quartz make this a really nice
specimen. The ideal specimen orientation was missed by the
photographer, so I will re-shoot this one as time permits.
Size: 2.3 x 1.4 x 1 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4585
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
A large
thumbnail specimen with several interlocking crystal. The largest
crystal is 1.6cm and is doubly terminated!
Size: 2.9 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4589
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
Several
thin , green augelites are positioned at an oblique angle to the larger
crystal. A nest of tiny quartz crystals lay in the corner between
the augelites. Much greener in real life!
Size: 2 x 1.4 x .9 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4591
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
gemmy augelite is actually a candidate for cutting. The color is
really good, even if not obvious in the photo. There is a slight rub
on one edge.
Size: 1.8 x 1.4 x 1.2 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4596
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
large single crystal has good color, but does have a couple of tiny nicks
on the edges.
Size: 2 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4598
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
specimen consists of a group of seven separate crystals. There is
contacting at the outside edges, and one crystal has a small nick.
Size: 2.8 x 2.4 x 1.7 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4599
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
Three
intergrown crystals make for an aesthetic thumbnail. It is in fine
condition except for some contacting at the back side.
Size: 1.8 x 1.6 x 1.4 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4600
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
matrix group is a nice association piece. The augelite is really
sharp, but unfortunately the tips of two of the quartz crystals have been
nicked. A flattened quartz fragment looks like it might have been a
Japan Law twin.
Size: 2.8 x 2.4 x 2 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4602
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
Two
large crystals make up this specimen. The lower crystal is contacted
at one end where it intergrew with other augelites. The upper
crystal is 1.7 x 2 cm. It is rubbed/abraded along the top, back
edge.
Size: 2 x 1.8 x 1.7 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4604
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This is
a choice little thumbnail. The main crystal is a nice green, 1.5cm
doubly terminated crystal with a spray of quartz crystals at the
base. Damage free!
Size: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.4 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4605
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
large crystal tried to form a good termination on the bottom surface, but
must have intergrown with the matrix . A small quartz crystal comes
out of the bottom, and there is small nick on the back corner.
Size: 2 x 1.8 x 1.1 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4612
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
This
large single crystal is 2.5cm long, and has a strange flattened quartz
needle on one side. One edge is abraded as shown in the lower
photo. The top left part of the crystal forms a "negative"
crystal where an adjoining augelite must have been.
Size: 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.2 cm.
|
  |
AUGELITE
Stock #4613
Mina Ortega, Ancash
Department, Peru
A 2cm
long doubly terminated augelite is nested between two smaller
crystals. There is a nick on one of the smaller crystals. This
gemmy piece is one of the best of the lot.
Size: 2 x 2 x 1.4 cm.
|
  |
QUARTZ
pseudomorph AFTER BARITE
Stock #4388
Julcani mine, Angaraes
Province, Huancavelica Department, Peru
This is
an older piece. I bought this as part of a collection down in Lima about 8 years ago, and have
had it stashed (lost) in a flat since then. It is a great example of
pseudomorphism with the original barite (with classic form like those from
Frizington, England) being completely replaced by quartz.
|
  |
PYRITE
& QUARTZ
Stock #4427
Huanzalá mine, Dos de
Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru
The Huanzalá
mine is famous for great pyrites. Out of the
literally tons of pyrite I have bought down in Peru, there have only been
a few pieces with associated quartz. This a good example of the best
lot I found down in Lima.
|
  |
PYRARGYRITE
& QUARTZ
Stock #4402
San Genaro mine,
Castrovirreyna Province, Huancavelica Department, Peru
A mass
of intergrown pyrargyrite crystals "perched" on a single quartz
crystal. The pyrargyrites are 1 -1.5cm across, and only slightly
shorter than they are wide. The quartz crystal grows into the
pyrargyrites.
Size: 2.9 x 2.7 x 1.7 cm.
 BACK
VIEW
|
  |
COPPER
Stock #4479
New Cornelia mine, Ajo,
Pima County, Arizona
Well
formed spinel twins with abundant wire-like crystals define this
specimen. A thin oxide coating of probable malachite gives the
specimen a nice green patina. Good copper specimens are not common
from Ajo, and this truly a fine example. ex. Neil
Prenn collection
Size: 6 x 2 x 1.5 cm.
|
  |
FLUORAPATITE,
SIDERITE & QUARTZ
Stock #4281
Panasqueira mine,
Barroca Grande, Beira Baxia, Portugal
Several
tabular, transparent to translucent, pale green fluorapatite crystals are
perched on a doubly terminated quartz crystal. There are numerous
small siderite crystals on both the quartz and apatite. One of the
apatite crystals has a fine, hair-like inclusion of tourmaline cutting
through one side. No damage.
|
|
|
 |
SILVER,
ACANTHITE & QUARTZ
Stock #ML3536K
Uchucchacua
Mine, Oyon, Lima Dept., Peru
This
specimen has bright, lustrous quartz druse associated with acanthite
coated silver and larger acanthite crystals.
Size: 2.0 x 1.4 x 1.5 cm Thumbnail
$85.00 SOLD!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
|
|
  |
SILVER
& ACANTHITE
Stock ML3529K
Uchucchacua Mine,
Oyon, Lima Dept., Peru
This is a nice single
wire coated with acanthite crystals on a matrix of manganese silicate
altered limestone.
Size: 3.3 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm Thumbnail
|
|
|
 |
EPIDOTE
& ADULARIA
This specimen has a super association of sharp
white adularias on green epidote. The vast majority of
specimens from this local were just epidote. The pieces with either
quartz or adularia are far more rare and desirable.
|
Stock #ML3072K
Rosario Mabel Mine, Pampa Blanca, Huancavelica Dept., Peru
Size: 4 x 3 x 2 cm.
$70.00 Available!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
|
  |
RHODOCHROSITE
Stock# ML3069K
Uchucchacua Mine,
Oyon, Lima Dept., Peru
Just a nice vug filled
with rhodochrosites and a couple of quartz crystals. Definitely
better in real life than in the photo!
Size: 6 x 4 x 3 cm.
$90.00
SOLD!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
 |
SCHEELITE
& CHALCOPYRITE
on QUARTZ
Stock# ML3076K
Yao Guang Xi, Hunan
Province China
Nice sharp, lustrous
octahedrons of scheelite with purple and blue, tarnished chalcopyrites
plus a bit of siderite on a quartz point.
Size: 3.5 x 2.7 x 3.2 cm.
$90.00
Available!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
  |
RHODOCHROSITE
& QUARTZ
Stock# ML3084K
Uchucchacua Mine,
Oyon, Lima Dept., Peru
These rhodochrosites
are stepped rhombohedrons rather than the more common scalenohedrons from
Uchucchacua. The quartz druse has tiny spots of some manganese oxide
mineral.
Size: 9 X 5 X 6 cm.
$200.00
Available!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
 |
AZURITE
Stock# ML3088K
Shi Lu Copper Mine,
Guangdong Province, China
This specimen is from
the find that came out about 5 years ago. Thecrystals form a
flattened sphere of azurite.
Size: 5.5 x 4 x 2 cm.
$75.00
Available!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
  |
BOURNONITE
& PYRITE
Stock# ML3095K
Quiruvilca Mine,
Santiago de Chuco Province, La Libertad Dept., Peru
As one collector so
aptly stated "bournonite should be the National Mineral of
Peru". This piece exhibits well developed twinning.
Size: 6.5 x 6 x 4 cm.
$80.00
Available!
Please
e-mail order to
sales@minerslunchbox.com
|
 |
FLUORITE
with BARITE & QUARTZ
Stock# ML3042K
Okaruso, Namibia
This is one that just
looks good on the shelf! It has great green color, which is nicely
offset by the lighter quartz and barite, and iron stained aragonite(?).
The fluorite crystals are cubic with octahedral
modifications. The green color is really pretty!
Size: Small Cabinet
|
  |
MUSCOVITE
& TOURMALINE
Stock# ML3129K
Erongo Mountains,
Namibia
This is a really
unusual specimen. There are two muscovite "books" perched
on a black tourmaline (unfortunately, the termination is not well exposed,
and the other end is broken). The muscovites are in very good
condition, and have numerous small tourmalines growing on the
surfaces. The principal muscovite crystal is 5cm long. The specimen
actually sits up on the tourmaline, showing off the muscovites.
Size: Small Cabinet
|
|
Azurite
& Malachite
A classic specimen from the find back in the
1980's. Good luster and color. No damage.
|
Stock ML4160
Nevada Lode, La Sal, San Juan County, Utah
Size: 2.3 x 3.6 x 4.2 cm.
|
|
 |
Calcite
This is a great calcite group. It has
excellent transparency and luster. The front crystal exhibits
numerous banded "phantoms" that appear to be formed by
refraction of an interior growth plane. Ex William Severance
collection!
|
Stock ML4162
Verchniy Mine, Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
Size: 3.5 x 4.1 x 6.3 cm.
|
|
|
Pyromorphite
This pyromorphite lacks the incredible luster
found on the big money pieces, but has the aesthetics to make it a
respectable specimen.
|
Stock ML4180
Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Couer d'Alene Dist., Shoshone County, Idaho
Size: 1.6 x 4.2 x 4.8 cm.
|
|
|
Galena
& Calcite
This is a great galena specimen! The galenas
are super lustrous, and many are spinel twins! The white calcite
druse accentuates the galenas nicely! The piece stands up perfectly,
and the back is well crystallized too.
|
Stock ML4182
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca Dist., Dos de Mayo Province, Huanuco Dept., Peru
Size: 5.5 x 8.5 x 9 cm.
|
|
|
Miner's Lunchbox
