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FC17 - Cuprite on Copper
Tsumeb, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5.2 x 3.2 x 1.5 cm

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An exquisite specimen, with SHARP, METALLIC< fiery red cuprite crystals perched on sharp, elongated copper cyrstals. Copper of this quality is extremely uncommon for Tsumeb. Cuprite more so in any kind of good cubic form, let alone with such lustre! The combo....seen only a few times, in small pockets. This is an exceptional competition-quality miniature. It is MUCH better in person, too.





FC18 - Cerussite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 6 x 4.7 x 4 cm

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This ia a MATRIX speicmen of reticulated cerussite, with incredible visual appeal and sexy aesthetics! The piece displays fully upright and is just breathtaking for its complexity and the elegant positioning of the crossing spokes. It is twinned, though we refer to it as reticulated , as well, for the obvious complexity. As with most large cerussites from Tsumeb, after 30 years and more out of the ground and given the fragility, there is minor damage. However, the damage on the righthand side does not detract visually, though it needs to be mentioned there are some broken spokes there (You can see the contacts when you look close, but they are snapped off cleanly at bases and you do NOT see the contacted spots where they attached, except on close exam). Visually, it LOOKS like a 10k cerussite small cab...but is much more affordable because of damage that frankly most people would not even notice, in my opinion, though I woul dbe remiss if i myself did not note it. And it has MUCH BETTER LUSTRE and glassiness in person than the pics can convey. Truly, it will be like a starburst of light in a showcase. I will make a custom lucite mount for this one, included in the price, to ensure that it can be safely displayed in the optimal poisition.





FC19 - Cerussite with Smithsonite included by Hematite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 6.2 x 4.6 x 2 cm

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A unique combination piece from a small one-time pocket, totally unique in Tsumeb mining! This specimen has GEMMY, jewel-like, V-twins of cerussite to several centimeters in size perched ON elongated scalenohedral smithsonite crystals! the smithsonites are colored red by minute inclusions of hematite. Thus, this is unique for the color contrast, the combination, and the visual juxtaposition compared to any other ceru/smith association I am aware of.





FC20 - Mimetite (Gem Pocket 1971)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Toenail, 2.6 x 1.7 x 1.2 cm

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This specimen is from the famous “Gem Pocket" of mimetite found in 1971 and not surpassed since by any mimetite from any location, according to most people who score such things (though China is giving them a good run). As you can imagine, they are highly desirable and hard to obtain after some 30 years. Just a handful are for sale in any given time, now. This specimen is among the largest crystals that would have been found at the time, certainly among the stoutest in girth. I am told there were only a dozen or so crystals of this calibre or better. Most surviving Gem Pocket specimens are small pieces with small crystals (some of you have probably seen several 20k-plus small mini's that were half the size of this one and no better in quality floating around at certain shows). THIS piece is the single largest gem pocket crystal that I have seen on the market, personally, or even heard about.I think this price is eminently reasonable for a specimen of this quality and size, compared to what the more dinky ones already go for, and I bought the collection in large part because it has this incredible mim which i regard as a "quick sell". MORE GEMMY IN PERSON, PLEASE NOTE!





FC21 - Calcite on Malachite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.5 x 3.1 x 1.9 cm

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A supremely aesthetic and unusual Tsumeb piece with a perfect rosette of calcite, complete, perched nicely on primary malachite crystals! In person, the deep green of the malachite is more readily apparent





FC22 -Cobaltian Smithsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Large Thumbnail, 2.8 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm

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The large crysatl on this exquisite Thumbnail is 2cm tip to tip! This is an extremely elegant and fine, competition-quality piece. In person the color is , i need to say, slightly less rich than shown, more a peach than a pink hue (There is a very slight bit of matrix on the back, attached. that matrix adds reflection of some color to the photos when in person it isn't as deep a pink color but it IS as elegant and sharp as you see!). The gemminess and translucency are high, and the lustre is fantastic.





FC23 - Cerussite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Miniature, 3 x 2.7 x 2.1 cm

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A killer miniature of GEMMY, lustrous, GLASSY , v-twinned cerussite! perfect all aroun dwith no damage! AND BETTER IN PERSON!





FC24 - Cuprian Smithsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.4 x 2.1 x 1.3 cm

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A gorgeous, glowing specimen with sharp GEMMY, TRANSLUCENT rhombs to 8 mm. this is the rarest pocket, I would say, of green smithsonite. There are very few extant and most are, like this one, rather small. Buy for the color, not the size...and you will see that the color gives it a display value beyond the mere size.





FC25 - Dioptase
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.1 x 3 x 2.8 cm

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A beautiful specimen of dioptase of TOP quality, emerald-green with high lustre and some translucency, wreathed around a calcite matrix! Sharp crystals, some doubly-terminated, to 9 mm.





FC26 - Tarnowitzite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Miniature, 3.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm

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This is a super miniature featuring a barrel-shaped, doubly-terminated tarno perched on a small knoll of matrix. It is very aesthetic, very lustrous, and has a pleasing stark white color more obvious in person since 3-dimensional white minerals like this are hard to photograph





FC27 - Smithsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm

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Rare, elongated, scalenohedral smithsonite crystals! This is a very rare crystal habit for the species, so far as i know unique to Tsumeb in crystals of such size and quality. This pristine miniature has SHARP xls to 2 cm.





FC28 - Dioptase on Calcite rhombohedra
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm

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A gorgeous miniature dioptas,e that doesn't break the bank: this specimen features a main crystal 1.7 cm long and 1 cm thick! It has TOP color, lustre, and is just much better in person than it appears, as with all dioptase in photos.





FC29 - Dioptase
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 1.6 x 1.5 x 1 cm

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Simply a killer thumbnail. THIS IS A GEM CRYSTAL! 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.9 cm





FC30 - Dioptase on Calcite rhombohedron
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 1.9 x 1.4 cm

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A very cute toenail-sized specimen featuring a perfect, sharp, gemmy, lustrous dioptase perched atop a complete calcite rhomb! Stunning contrast!





FC31 - Cuprian Smithsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.4 x 2.4 x 2.3 cm

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Talk about rare. I had NEVER seen a smithie from this pocket for sale. I have seen the style in a few books, only. These large, blocky, TRANSPARENT, pseudocubic crystals are 1 cm on edge! This is a unique, incredible specimen for the species. If trimmed further, it would surely be an equally incredible thumbnail, but as stands its a fine miniature.





FC32 - Wulfenite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5.1 x 2.9 x 2.3cm

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Wulfenite from Tsumeb is usually, frankly, rather ho-hum and grungy. The best specimens, of course, are not! Rarely, you get gemmy wulfenite, and colors of reds and orange from Tsumeb that are killers. However, I have not yet seen such a yellow wulfenite, and not only colorful but big, pristine, and incredibly aesthetic to boot! It can display either vertically or horizontally depending on personal taste. Its complete all around, and to me it is a miracle this thing survived and even formed in the first place without SOME contact beyond the narrow baseline at the bottom. This is a stunning wulfenite from any locality but for Tsumeb, it has even more appeal because of the lack of competitors for the species, at this quality level. Perhaps my gfavorite piece in the collection for sheer visual impact an dsurprise value in a Tsumeb case...





FC33 - Anglesite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 8 x 6 x 3.5 cm

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A true killer in every sense. This is, for the rarity and style, and the aesthetics and quality, my favorite piec eof the collection. It is a GEMMY, transparent, nearly pristine crysatl of anglesite - this is very rare from Tsumeb, actually, particularly in good crystals. I have never seen one so gemmy and so perfect, and it is on matrix as well so you couldn't ask for more! 3-D, complete 360 degrees...





FC34 - Aragonite var. Nicholsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 8.7 x 7 x 3.1 cm

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This specimen hosts two superb, elongated, very well formed crystals to 7 cm of the rare aragonite varietal termed nicholsonite. The yellow color is due to high nickel content. This is not a valid species anymore, but is a valid subtype of aragonite, rich in both nickel and lead (tarnowitzite, has just the lead part). I have not seen a more aesthetic example of this rare material for sale!






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The Arkenstone - Dr. Robert Lavinsky
PO Box 450788
Garland, TX 75045-0788
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