Fine Minerals - Arkenstone

D1 Dioptase on Calcite (SOLD) 6000
Tsumeb, Namibia
ex. Willy Israel Collection
Small Cabinet, 8 x 6 x 5.5 cm

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This classic example of dioptase on bright white calcite is formed like a vug, and in fact represents part of such a natural cavity which we trimmed down from a large boulder. It has bright, gorgeous dioptase crystals to 1.7 cm in size. Though it is almost pristine, there are a few minor dings here and there (though they get lost visually except on close examination. Overall, though, this is a VERY attractive and rich specimen for the price with top-quality color and lustre!

K5 Braunite (SOLD) 2500
N'Chwaning Mine
Miniature, 4.5 x 4 x 2.5 cm

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This is an exquisite, complete-all-around specimen composed of sharp crystals of braunite, to just over 1 cm in size. Hefty and impressive, as well!

WI-2196 Cerussite with phantom (SOLD) 845
Tsumeb, Namibia
Toenail, 3 x 2.5 x 1.25 cm

This is an amazing GEM crystal of cerussite with as sharp and distinct a phantom as I have ever seen. Note the stark difference in crystal habit between the phantom and the outer crystal! I have never seen a ceru so dramatic in this way, and this remarkable piece has been with Willy since 8-1-1982 when he bought it from Clive Queit. This beauty of a crystal is complete all around, save for contact on the bottom face and a few trivial little wilbers here and there. I don't go crazy about cerussite very often, but this one is a piece to get excited about. It is a small miniature or a "boxbuster" thumbnail if you squeeze it in.

WI-3610 Cerussite (SOLD) 450
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.5 x 4 x 2.5 cm

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This is a classic reticulated cerussite, complete all around in form and really pretty darn good for the price now that I look at it compared to others here. It has a few dings, though on the back of the main crystal and not visible from the front, and has excellent lustre and a rich smoky color to it. Really, a choice miniature without breaking the bank! Acquired in 1986

WI-2813 Duftite on Cerussite (SOLD) 1750
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 6 x 5 x 3 cm

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This smoky cerussite is heavily coated by billiant green microcrystals of duftite on one side, though not at all on the other. A gorgeous specimen on either side, green or smoky! As with many ceru's, there is some damage and a contact at the attachment point on the bottom, but I don't think they detract much from teh very impressive display qualities of the specimen. Acquired in Windhoek 10-30-1986.

3333 - Cadmian Willemite (SOLD) 150
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Large Thumbnail, 3.0 x 3.0 x 2.1 cm

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Very attractive coating of drusy crystals that have excellent deep yellow color and a bright luster . Rare!

1427- Smithsonite (SOLD) 150
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 3.9 x 3.2 cm

Rarely do you find smithsonite crystals up to 1.5 cm,and these beauties are sharp, lustrous, and have good color. Even better, the crystals stand out perfectly along the edge of the matrix. This is a killer miniature.

2928- Cobaltian smithsonite (SOLD) 175
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet , 6.4 x 5.1 x 4.7 cm

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Very nice pink crystals to .7 cm generously cover the top of this specimen. The excellent luster adds to the appeal.

WI-3155 Cuprite (var. Chalcotrichite) included in Cerussite (SOLD) 2500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 3.5 x 3 cm

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Like the above, it is an extremely fine example of the rare red cerussites, found just once at Tsumeb and among the most treasured of all Tsumeb minerals today for their unique beauty. This one is relatively is unusual in that 1) the crystals atop is so euhedral and 2) the association with white calcite is something I have never seen before with these. The overall contrast of deep red cerussite on sparkling white matrix is STRIKING. MUCH BETTER IN PERSON than indicated in the photos! Obtained 8-15-1986 from famous dealer Clive Queit, again on what was obviously a productive trip to South Africa just before the Denver Show. I imagine the pocket had just come out, if each dealer had a bit of it.

3462 - Datolite (SOLD) 150
Wessels Mine, Kuruman South Africa
Large Miniature/Small Cabinet, 5.5 x 4.2 x 2.9 cm

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Nicely developed and lustrous, these crystals have an awful lot of character for the species aside from teh unusual pink color. IN person, they are a more pure pink thant the lavender-pink they show up as in the photos

3997- Mimetite (SOLD) 950
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet , 6.6 x 6.1 x 3 cm

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Great specimen all the way! The long slender needles of yellow-orange mimetite are beautifully sprinkled with green duftite crystals (according to clive queit, anyhow, who sold this in 1993). This specimen, is sharp, aesthetic, and a wonderful combination piece. Minor damage to smaller crystals but displays well and the large crystals atop are intact. Rare and highly desirable.

WI-3237 Beudantite (SOLD) 750
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.5 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm

DOZENS of sharp, green-brown , lustorus beudantite crystals to 3 mm cover this matrix specimen, on almost all sides. Despite beng a "rare ugly" the piece as a whole really sparkles and has some eye appeal, and the crystals are readily eye-visible, making this a very fine display specimen for the species. Acquired 8-20-1986 from Joseph Pitsch, the town baker in Windhoek who acted as a broker for many mineral deals for the miners.

WI-1365 Cerussite (SOLD) 6000 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Cabinet, 13 x 11 x 7 cm

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This is a VERY GEMMY, almost pristine, TRANSPARENT, and just plain amazing cerussite crystal of astonishing form, and quite different from anything I have ever seen. It has a rich smoky color that is unusual in large cerussites. It is very dramatic, because of the strange geometric patterning atop the sharply tapered crystal. At the base, it widens and seems to be perched on or part of a reticulated twin. It is complete on the back, though in spots coated with bluish serpierite (it doesn't detract from the viewing angle, in any case), and this rich coating of unusual bluish serpierite at the base and along the backside adds accent. Obtained 4-19-1979

WI-3239 Wulfenite (huge XL!) (SOLD) 1800 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 6.5 x 3.5 x 2.25 cm

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A HUGE wulfenite crystal for the locality. It is colored in an interesting juxtapisition of umber and black colors, for a really odd look. It DOES have good lustre, better in person than indicated here, and is just plain weird as well as huge. The crystal is complete all around and is miraculously free of damage save for one very tiny rub on the top-left. It is even perched on a little pedestal of smaller crystals so it has some surprising aesthetics! The back is completely coated by brown sparkly quartz druse, though it doesn't wrap around to the front. This significant wulfenite was obtained 8-25-1986 from a collector in Windhoek

WI-3007 Malachite ps. Azurite (SOLD) 6750 (SOLD)
"Perkin Sams Pocket," Tsumeb, Namibia
Cabinet, 11 x 10 x 8 cm

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People assume there were tons of large azurites and malachites from Tsumeb, but the fact is they are somewhat rarer than you would think, not just in the context of Tsumeb alone but from all worldwide azurite localities. This is a very large and impressive, museum-quality specimen from the famous find known as the Perkin Sams pocket after the Texas oilman who bought most of the pocket at the time - these later ended up in teh Houston Museum of Natural Science as part of their core collection (he probably thought he got it all at the time, and though a few stragglers seem to have leaked out they are still uncommon). This is a very showy piece with fat crystals of azurite almost completely pseudomorphed into a rich elvety malachite. The blocky crystal form and color scheme is classic and near unique to this pocket, and is very readily identifiable in context of other Tsumeb finds. A seam of bright blue azurite shows through on the smaller of the two conjoined crystals. Minor edge wear, but overall in very good shape and with no major damage or dents. THE CHATOYANT BRILLIANCE OF THE MALACHITE has to be seen to be believed! the pics don't do it justice. Obtained 8-14-1986

WI-5025 Mimetite ps. after Anglesite (SOLD) 2400 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5 x 3.25 x 2.5 cm

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This is a GORGEOUS, lemon-yellow, glistening specimen of mimetite. The mimetite coated and formed a thick cast over now-vanished blocky crystals of Anglesite (or possibly of unusual cerussite). It is the most beuatifula nd colorful example of this type that I have personally seen, as most such specimens seem to have dull lustre and are not as "lively" as this one. Additionally, the dramatic boxy appearance to the dominant crystal is very impressive.

CERUS1

WI(T23) Reticulated Cerussite (SOLD) 950 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 3.5 x 1.6 cm

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An amazing reticulated latticework of cerussite, that makes for a stunning miniature! As with all such pieces, there is some minor damage but frankly its all in context and th eexquisite pattern generally distracts the eye from focusing on any contacts left around the edge of the piece where some small spokes might have come off. The patterns and complexity are just mesmerizing, and this style of reticulation is extremely rare.

WI-3611 Cerussite V-twin on Cerussite "heart twin" (SOLD) 800 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.75 x 3 x 1.75 cm

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WOW! I think the pics pretty much say it all...just a superb miniature of exquisite form! Acquired at the Munich show in 1989.

CALCS

WI-1462 Cerussite (SOLD) 175 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2 x 1.5 x 1.25 cm

A sharp, complete-all-around thumbnail featuring a GEM crystal of tabular smoky cerussite, perched on just a bit of matrix for drama! Acquired 7-7-1978

WI-1468 Cerussite (SOLD) 195 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 cm

At first glance, this looks like a $1000 killer and a floater! And, it IS technically complete all around, but it has a contact on each face about the middle that is visible if you start to look really closely and that brought down the value from what we estimated in the purchase of the collection. Still and all, at the right price, its really a showy specimen of finely reticulated cerussite with unusually equant geometry to it!

WI-3190 Duftite included in Calcite (SOLD) 245 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5 x 3.2 x 1.5 cm

An unusually fine specimen with glassy crystals of sharp rhombohedral calcite, heavily included with bright grass-green duftite as opposed to the usual dull, darker green variety. Obtained 7-25-1986

WI-2129 Mottramite coating on Calcite (SOLD) 595 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5.5 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm

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A choice miniature with a rich mottramite coating on top of "winged" calcite crystals, and then a second generation of crystal-clear, gemmy calcite dics atop the mottramite in between and at the base of the "wings". VERY nice example of this rare pocket, from which I have seen a number of specimens but none I liked better. Obtained 8-1-1982

WI-3186 Dioptase included in Calcite (SOLD) 395 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 4 x 2 cm

A dramatic, gorgeous, and colorful specimen with deep green dioptase inclusions twinkling inside clear calcite rhombohedra that are so sharp you could cut your finger on one. The inclusions are, unusually, oriented along several planes of the crystal such that they leave a colorless rim of clear calcite around the included areas, except the center of some upper crystal faces where the inclusions do surface. One minor ding at a lower crystal, otherwise pristine. Obtained before the Denver show, in South Africa in August 1986 just after the pocket was found.

WI-3187 Dioptase included in Calcite (SOLD) 395 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm

A dramatic, gorgeous, and colorful specimen with deep green dioptase inclusions twinkling inside clear calcite rhombohedra . This specimen is more richly included than the others above, so much so that it looks like a carpet of sparkling dioptase spreading out from the calcites, rather than included in them! A few minor dings on the periphery, otherwise pristine. A few tiny yellow spots may be micro-wulfenite crystals in association or included at the edge of one of the calcites. Obtained before the Denver show, in South Africa in August 1986 just after the pocket was found.

WI-3546 Malachite on Calcite ps.after Calcite (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 3.5 x 1.75 cm

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Bright electric-green, velvety malachite balls perched on sparkling calcite that has formed as a secondary-generation negative cast after large calcite rhombohedra, now mysteriously gone! Interesting AND attractive! Obtained from Sid Pieters in 1986 in Windhoek, before the Tucson show of that year.

WI-3268 Cuprite (var. Chalcotrichite) included in Calcite (SOLD) 375 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 3 x 1.75 cm

Rich red inclusions of chalcotrichite completely fill these calcite rhombohedra with a most unusual color! Obtained 8-15-1986

MIX1

WI-3783 Azurite and Arsentsumebite (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.7 x 3 x 2.5 cm

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A specimen with shocking blue, deep azure crystals highlighted by bits of arsentsumebite. Clearly an older specimen from the first oxidation zones, perhaps from remining of the pillars from those old days. This specimen has a killer lustre that does not come through in the photos!.

WI-3082 Tennantite with Quartz (SOLD) 175 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5.5 x 2.5 x 2 cm

Exceptionally sharp crystals to 1.3 cm, perched on tennantite and quartz matrix. Nice! Acquired 8-10-1984

WI-2171 Malachite on Dolomite cast (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 4 x 2.25 cm

An attractive specimen of velvety puffballs of malachite having liberally coated a thin dolomite cast (after calcite, I presume). Acquired 8-1-1982

WI-2764 SCHNEIDERHONITE (SOLD) 4500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm

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An extremely rich and important specimen of the very rare iron arsenate SCHNEIDERHONITE! It has a dozen thick, at crystals to 1cm or more and some larger as well. The best of species was found from a small series of finds on the lower levels of Tsumeb, and this IS one such specimen of import. It features lustrous, jet-black crystals to over 1 centimeter, arranged as if windswept along the top of this matrix and covering the front surface (and in fact the matrix itself is massive schneiderhonite). It is one of our most significant specimens in the collection, without a doubt. Acquired 7-23-1984.

WI-3156 Scorodite (SOLD) 1500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4 x 2.5 x 1.7 cm

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This showy miniature has relatively large crystals of scorodite arranged like a spray of flowers, and though dark and not highly lustrous these are still excellent crystals for the species. They have medium lustre, and show excellent form as well as a rich blue color. Acquired 8-15-1986

WI-3024 Pyrite (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.7 x 1.75 x 1.5 cm

A RARITY indeed! From Tsumeb, pyrite in crystalline form is quite uncommon and this is as fine a thumbnail example as I have seen , featuring a near-2-cm crystal stacked atop others, like a snowman. Acquired 8-15-1986

3264- Chalcanthite included in Aragonite (SOLD) 275 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm

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Attractive and unusual specimen in which the Aragonite is turned blue by the Chalcantite inclusions. This would be a good addition for any Tsumeb or carbonate collector.

3344- Malachite on reticulated Cerussite (SOLD) 150 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5 x 3.2 x 1.6 cm

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2754- Aragonite var. Tarnowitzite (SOLD) 175 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet , 7.7 x 6 x 3.4 cm

Wellöformed clusters of intergrown aragonite crystals with excellent luster.

1700 - Malachite (SOLD) 45 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.2 x 2 cm

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Rich and dense acicular coating of Malachite, accented by small quartzcrystals. The luster is outstanding, and the color a deep green. A very nice thumbnail example of velvety maalachite from tsumeb.

2706- Hydrocerussite on Cerussite on Galena (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet , 6.3 x 5.6 x 3 cm

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This is an important combination specimen, in which you have several sets of complex twinned cerussites coated with the snow-white hydrocerussite. The complex twinning and the coating make this both attractive and a very good addition to the serious collection.

1718 - Cerussite (floater!) (SOLD) 250 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4.4 x 4.4 x 2.0 cm

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Nice, unusually complete sixling of Cerussite. Many of the chisel-shaped crystals have excellent clarity and luster and amazingly there is virtually no damage save a few trivial dings on a few back faces. The whole roseate crystal is a twin and a floater, with just a tiny bit of matrix on the back-middle showing where it was attached! There is also a small amount of Duftite to add to the specimen.

2194 - Cerussite on Duftite (SOLD) 150 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 3.8 x 3.6 x 2.9 cm

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Very nice twinned (!) fat and gemmy crystal sitting aesthetically on a matrix of Duftite. Nicely accented with several smaller Cerussite crystals along the base. NICE MINI!

2204 - Cerussite (SOLD) 395 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4.8 x 2.8 x 1.4 cm

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Superb luster, clarity, and form make this an absolute killer GEM crystal of cerussite. Add a little bit of matrix as we have here for even more aesthetics, and you have the recipe for a competition-quality miniature. Acquired 8-1-1982

3976 - Cerussite (SOLD) 250 (SOLD)
Kombat Mine, Namibia
SMALL CABINET, 5.8 x 4.0 x 2.4 cm

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Aesthetic and dramatic, this set of four wonderfully developed crystals has lots going for it. Great form, excellent clarity below the frequently frosted surfaces, and some associated Duftite. There is some tip damage on a couple of the crystals. Nonetheless, the form and geometry of the piece stand out.

WI-2216 Cerussite included by Linarite, Posnjakite, Others (?) (SOLD) 2500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.5 x 3.2 x 0.4 cm

This specimen is a FLOATER, sharp and complete all around. The thin cerussite crystal is coated front and back with sparkling, twinkling blue mineralization that is a combination of several copper minerals, from what we can tell. It look so much LIKE a wulfenite that at one point it was labelled as such! The piece is BEAUTIFUL and glows when well lit with a rich mix of greens and blues that is more evident in person. It is hard to photograph and these pics don't do it justice. It has one clean repair about the middle, hard to see. This unique specimen was obtained 1-8-1982 before the Tucson show of that year, while helping dealer Clive Queit prepare in South Africa. I have never seen the like!

2130 - Chalcanthite included in Aragonite (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 9.8 x 4.6 x 2.1 cm

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A superb and aesthetic specimen! The beauty of the this Chalcanthite overgrown and intermixed with Aragonite cannot be overemphasized, and the pics do a good job conveying this. Note how thick the growth is, that this is not a crust but rather many generations of layering one atop the other making for a thick specimen. Simply a wonderful piece and very unique and unusual. Colors like this just don't often come from any mine!

2209 - Gypsum (SOLD) 250 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4.4 x 3.2 x 2.5 cm

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Rarely do you see a Gypsum from Tsumeb with this kind of visual appeal. The crystal has great form, a beautiful silky luster, and it sits aesthetically on matrix. This is a terrific miniature but also a significant one for the species from this locality.

3569 - Cadmian-Willemite on Cuproadamite (SOLD) 850(SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
SMALL CABINET, 5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4 cm

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Rare and important combination piece, the lovely aesthetics add even more to the desirability of the specimen. With superb luster and color on the 1-cm-long Willemite blades, they lay attractively on the green-blue druse of cupro-adamites for a sharp contrast. This is definitely a terrific specimen at every level. Even better in person!

3003 - Goethite on Calcite (SOLD) 395 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
CABINET, 12.0 x 8.7 x 5.3 cm

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This piece features eye-catching lustrous Goethite in silky-smooth drapery over Calcite rhombohedra, all perched against contrasting matrix of another generation of calcite.. The coatings are so sharp, in fact, that the crystal edges of the Calcites below can be clearly followed. This is an interesting and lovely specimen of a very unusual combination of these species.

3229 - Tennantite ps. Azurite (SOLD) 1250 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
SMALL CABINET, 6.1 x 6.0 x 4.9 cm

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There can be no denying what a great specimen this is. It is a rare pseudomorph with a green patina so deep that the photos cannot capture it and a form so sharp that you can just picture the original Azurite sitting there smartly, straight up on matrix! Now, the azurite is replaced by tennantite which sits on massive tennantite matrix. Whether you collect pseudos, Tsumeb, or just fine specimens, this one deserves serious consideration because of the perfection and sharpness of the crystal which is highly unusual for this material - often the crystals are etched and rough.

2727- Azurite (SOLD) 195 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Large Thumbnail/Small Miniature, 3.1 x 2.8 x 1.5 cm

Very sharp, highly lustrous azurite crystal with excellent color. There is a small amount of matrix in the back. This crystals packs a lot of bag for the buck.

2933- Dioptase on Calcite (SOLD) 250 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Small Cabinet , 7.9 x 4.5 x 3.7 cm

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Large (up to .8 cm) lustrous dioptase crystals with good clarity generously spread out over a coating of clear glassy calcite crystals.

WI-3320 Wulfenite (SOLD) 250 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.5 x 2.5 x 0.3 cm

This is a beautiful, translucent, sharp wulfenite crystal of a quality and color so rare for Tsumeb that it leaps out to the eye immediately and you think at first glance it might be Moroccan. It is complete on both sides, with sharp faces. It is a tragedy it has just a few minor chips on the edges, or it would be worth a fortune, and so is instead priced modestly. There are some dings, tis true, but it is still a very colorful and relatively large Tsumeb wulfenite and the price reflects a downward adjustment, so I can certainly recommend it for somebody who wants a showy-than-usual Tsumeb wulf for the shelf, without paying the stiff premium they usually command. Acquired 8-15-1986 from Clive Queit

5020- Anglesite (SOLD) 150 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5.2 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm

Fantastic zoned crystal of anglesite with two lovely attached small crystals for accent. The zoning here is truly spectacular. The bottom edge is partially contacted and partially broken, but that is a small price to pay for the miner being able to recover this gem at all!

3402 – N’Chwaningite & Calcite (SOLD) 600 (SOLD)
N’Chwaning mine, near Kuruman, South Africa
Thumbnail, 1.7 x 1.3 x 0.4 cm

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Both important and attractive, this combination thumbnail has two well-formed, quality Calcites and several good sprays of N’Chwaningite. Originally from the collection of Pieter De Bruyn, this would be an important addition to the serious Thumbnail or rarity collection.

413 - Ce-Agardite (SOLD) 100 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.6 x 1.6 x 0.6 cm

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Rich example of the new species Cerium Agardite, in the form of pistachio-green acicular crystals on contrasting matrix. Nice!

3606- Willemite ps. Azurite (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Miniature, 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.1 cm

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Fantastic pseudomorph, and a very unusual combination of minerals, at that. This is a well-known replacement but is very rare on the market and to my knowledge came from one small pocket in the 1970s. The azurite has been replaced by both white and blue willemite in two separate generations of pseudomorphism! This is a killer specimen for the Tsumeb or pseudomorph collector. Thatâs all there is to it.

3401 Sturmanite ps. Gypsum (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Black Rock Mine, near Kuruman, South Africa
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 1 x 0.5 cm

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This is an amazing pseudomorph (and i DO believe it , this time! ) . The Sturmanite, which replaces what appears to be an extruded Gypsum, has a very nice color and superb luster. And the aesthetics! As good as the pics are, it is much better, yet, in person.

2755- Malachite ps. Native Copper (SOLD) 195 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Mimiature, 4.5 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm

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Delicate charming mini that is so much better in person. Holding it in your hands, you can see the native copper shining through the malachite like copper snow on a dendritic Christmas tree. Very very nice and very very unusual!

1770 - Mottramite (SOLD) 495 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
CABINET, 13.5 x 9.5 x 6.0 cm

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Beautuful specimen of almost solid botryoidal Mottramite, with just a small amount of accenting matrix. The color is a RICH deep green that is remarkably consistent across the surface of the mineral and is better in person. This is a terrific specimen for the species!

3257- Willemite (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Large Miniature, 4.9 x 4.1 x 2.4 cm

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Very nice specimen of Willemite crystals (!) cover the top of this matrix. Good form and color make this a very desirable piece.

K15 Jacobsite (SOLD) 950 (SOLD)
Wessels Mine
Miniature, 6 x 4 x 3 cm

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Jacobsite is described in the Cairncross book Manganese Adventure as being very rare and only seldom occurring as small sub-mm octohedral crystals in protected vugs. THESE, however, are freestanding, SHARP, lustrous crystals to 3 mm in size aethetically arranged on a contrasting matrix of lizardite and minute garnets!

K1 Bultfonteinite (SOLD) 1200 (SOLD)
N'Chwaning II Mine
Miniature, 5 x 4 x 3 cm

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This is, as the pics show off pretty well, a choice display-quality example of sugary orange-peach-pink colored Bultfonteinite (note that it changes color a bit in different lighting conditions).

K6 Rhodochrosite with Quartz and Manganite (SOLD) 895
N'Chwaning Mine
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 2.25 x 2.25 cm

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This is a brilliantly sparkling specimen with tiny, jet-black manganite crystals perched on sparkly quartz druse, itself coating liberally a cluster of basally-terminated rhodochrosite crystals. The contrasts are striking! The rhodo formed as a "cap" of some kind upon an earlier generation of rounded rhodochrosite or calcite, as it has a rounded indentation in the base. This is one of the most breathtaking rhodo thumbnails I have seen. Sure, there are pieces with bigger crystals, and gemmier, but what a combo....!

K7 Ettringite (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
N'Chwaning Mine
Miniature, 5 x 3.5 x 2 cm

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LEMON-yellow ettringite crystals of this size are exceedingly rare! This one is complete all around the front and sides, contacted only along its back side, and so it displays stunningly in a showcase and adds a color that is, except for sulfur and a few rare species, pretty unique in the natural mineral kingdom (well, for nonradioactives).

K10 Sugilite XLS (SOLD) 975 (SOLD)
Wessels Mine
Miniature, 5 x 5 x 3 cm

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A very colorful specimen chock-full of microcrystals of sugilite which are just eye-visible, and form a rich carpet through several veins and vugs. Excellent specimen for the price!

WI-4087 Tennantite ps. after Galena (SOLD) 2500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 7 x 6 x 3.5 cm

A VERY SHARP 3.5-cm galena crystal is partially replaced, here, by tennantite. The crystal is especially fine for Tsumeb, where large and sharp galena crystals are rare despite tonnes of massive material recovered. It is pristine and complete, except for a tiny bit of the backside where you can see that the replacement has not been fully completeed yet. There are traces of interesting blue mineralization at the zone of alteration, as well. An important specimen as this alteration has not been reported, to my knowledge.

WI-1677 Wulfenite (RED!) (SOLD) 750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 5 x 3.5 x 1.75 cm

A rare example of the strking red wulfenite found here only once to my knowledge, in the late 1970's. This one was in fact acquired from Clive Queit on 4-15-1979. It has crystals to just over 1 centimeter, perched amodst small white xls of dolomite on tennantite matrix.

WI-1677 Tennantite (SOLD) 500 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm

WOW! A COMPLETE FLOATER CRYSTAL showing the perfect crystal habit, with no deformity from the ideal angles on any side save for one small outgrowth at the lower-left (where I would mount the piece for display in any case, so it serves as a natural pedestal)! There is a small "cap" of tiny ankerite crystals at the tip of one point.

WI-3603 Anglesite (SOLD) 200 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 2 x 2 cm

A SHARP, gemmy, clear crystal of anglesite measuring over 2 cm caps this perfectly balanced thumber! Anglesite of such quality, in any size, is rare from Tsumeb - and yellow anglesite even more so.

The Arkenstone - Dr. Robert Lavinsky
PO Box 450788
Garland, TX 75045-0788
Phone 972-414-9003 "normal hours" Central Time Zone, E-Fax 413-581-0589

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