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RUTX1 - CERUSSITE with MALACHITE INCLUSIONS - $1450
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2 x 1.4 x 1 cm
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A rare treasure indeed! When this small pocket turned up in the early 1970s, Ed used his equipment (he was a geophysicist) to check the nature of the green inclusions and was the author of a short article on the find published in the Min Record special issue on Tsumeb in 1977. This is one of those original specimens, which he kept. It is a complete-all-around, pristine specimen with a gemmy large crystal on matrix with smaller crystals. This is a bright and colorful piece, with rich green inclusions that accentuate the lustre and form of the cerussite while adding a novel color. To this day, this small pocket remains unique. To our knowledge, there were just a small handful of specimens and they are all extremely rare , and hard to find available. This is small, true, but its one of the best pieces here, in my book - and among the most rare




RUTX2 - TENNANTITE - $9000
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 9 x 7 x 6 cm
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This is a tower of 3-dimensional, jet-black crystals to 4.5 cm. The piece is complete all around, 360 degrees, like a pyramid! The wet-looking patina, in contrast to the usual dull gray we see on Tsumeb tennantites, is striking and different and really makes the piece leap out as a cut above other Tsumeb examples of this species. Its a world class example of the mineral, from one of the premier localities. This collection was always known for its breadth of specimens but also noted within the community for two very fine pieces of extremely high display quality that were sold to Ed out of the personal collection of Miriam and Julius Zweibel: a smashing wulfenite specimen with metallic orange lustre (now in the Marshall and Charlotte Sussman collection); and this fantastic tower of stereotypically sharp crystals. Ed retired and moved away from Dallas in 1984 or so, taking these with him. The piece hasn't been seen outside of his homne since then, and it shocked me when I first saw it.




RUT380 - Arsentsumebite with Azurite - $475
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 3.7 x 2.8 x 2.4 cm
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This is worth it just fo rthe extremely rich, beautiful Arsentsumebite alone! Moreover, razor-sharp Azurite crystals up to 1 cm that have the deep blue color and superb luster that is so sought-after in Azurite. On top of that, the contrast with the deep green of the matrix creates a wonderful eye-appeal. Arsentsumebite is extremely rare and such rich specimens are uncommon, old pieces. Thiis is almost certainly thus a specimen from the earlier levels of the mine, early 1900s or late 1800s. Purchased in 1980 from famed Tsumeb dealers , Miriam and Julius Zweibel.




RUT126 - Mimetite - $300
Tsumeb, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5.2 x 4.4 x 4.3 cm
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Numerous scalenohedron Mimetites up to 1.2 cm that have fine luster and color that varies from nearly clear to a nice orange-yellow. The crystals are sharp and very attractive. An excellent example of the species. Purchased in 1975 from famed Tsumeb dealers , Miriam and Julius Zweibel.




RUT127 - Mottramite on and investing Calcite - $750 (SOLD)
Tsumeb, Namibia
illustrated in MINERLOGICAL RECORD'S TSUMEB SPECIAL ISSUE, 1977
Small Cabinet, 10 x 7 x 4.5 cm
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Lovely, well-formed dendritic Mottramite overlaying sharp rhombs of Dolomite and Smithsonite. A close-up of this specimen was in the MR’s Tsumeb Issue, P. 78! A very aesthetic, and clearly important, piece. Purchased in 1978 from famed Tsumeb dealers , Miriam and Julius Zweibel.




RUT156 - Smithsonite - $125
Tsumeb, Namibia
Toenail, 3 x 2.6 x 2 cm
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Gorgeous cluster of water-clear transparent scalenohedrons of Smithsonite, with the longest being 1 cm! Remarkably, two of the crystals are actually pink! These crystals are so colorless and sparkly that it actually makes it hard to photograph, so keep in mind that this terrific, aesthetic specimen is even better in person. Purchased in 1975 from Bill Larson.




RUT157 - Aragonite - $150
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.5 x 2.9 x 2.9 cm
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Very nice cluster of long razor-sharp scalenohedrons of Aragonite. Many of the crystals have a light dusting of fine inclusions. Purchased in 1975 from Bill Larson.




RUT158 - Smithsonite - $175
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Miniature, 3.2 x 2 x 1.8 cm
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A wonderful, very large single scalenohedral crystal of Cobaltian Smithsonite. The light pink color is complimented by the translucent to transparent clarity and a superb luster. When backlit or toplit, it just glows! In person it is slightly more pink than beige. Damage free, and sharp in every respect. A terrific single. Purchased in 1975 from Bill Larson.




RUT201 - Cuprian Smithsonite - $450
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 6.5 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm
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A beautiful specimen of over a dozen modified rhombohedrons strung like pearls along creamy matrix. This Cuprian Smithsonite is one of the rarest and most sought-after varieties because of its vibrant apple-green color, and you can see why. Combine this with excellent luster, and you have an outstanding specimen of this rare habit. Purchased in 1976 from famed Tsumeb dealers , Miriam and Julius Zweibel.




RUT222 – Aragonite v. Tarnowitzite - $145
Tsumeb, Namibia
Large Miniature, 5.9 x 3.8 x 2.4 cm
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This excellent specimen consists of several large (up to 1.8 x 1.3 cm) pseudo hexagonal crystals. The uniformity and richness of the white color is very attractive. Combine that with excellent luster and form, and you have a very aesthetic specimen.




RUT243 - Smithsonite - $600
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.2 x 2.8 x 2.7 cm
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Lovely cluster of sharp, striated scalenohedral crystals up to 1.6 cm in length. The crystals are remarkably gemmy, glassy, have superb luster, and show just a hint of pink . This excellent miniature is much better in person! Purchased in 1976 from the Zweibels.




RUT245 - Azurite - $600
Tsumeb, Namibia
Miniature, 4.2 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm
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Classic Tsumeb Azurite! This single 3-dimensional, fat crystal with attached matrix has a gorgeous blue color, very sharp faces and termination, and fine luster. The few attachment points along one edge in no way detract from the overall appeal of this dynamite miniature. It leaps out at you. It is unusual in that several small malachite pseudomorphs after azurite are attached, and yet the main crystal itself is unaltered and remains sharp and bright azureite without a large amount of malachite alteration as you normally expect. Purchased in 1976 from Bill Larson




RUT251 - Smithsonite - $150 (SOLD)
Berg Aukas, Namibia
Miniature, 3.9 x 3.7 x 2.7 cm
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Sheaths of crystals form plates and ultimately several mamillary structures (the largest is 2 cm across!) that reflect light and glow like you only dream of! It looks like they are coated with SUGAR, in person! The crystals are clear and slighly green-tinted. This is an unusual form and habit for Tsumeb...because it isn't from Tsumeb. Material from Berg Aukas was often sold OUT OF shops and dealerships in Tsumeb and the error passed on to collectors in the 1960s and 1970s. In retrospect, we know very well that this style of bundled translucent crystals is from Berg Aukas. Doesn't change its value here, or its desirability! They are equally rare specimens from an equally defunct mine. Purchased from Bill Larson in 1976




RUT253 – Cuprian Smithsonite - $750
Tsumeb, Namibia
ex. Robert Rich Collection
Small Cabinet, 7.2 x 3.5 x 3.2 cm
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Very aesthetic and lustrous 1 mm crystals of pale green Cuprian Smithsonite deposited over a matrix of white drusy crystals. Bright and sparkly from top to bottom, this is really quite a lovely specimen. Purchased from Bill Larson in 1976




RUT260 - Smithsonite - $150
Tsumeb, Namibia
Small Cabinet, 7 x 5.5 x 5 cm
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Very sharp and large (up to 1.5 cm on edge) rhombohedrons of almost colorless Smithsonite. The luster is very good, and the main crystals are virtually ding-free. Naturally, there is contact damage along the edges of the specimen, but it is trivial. The display face is pristine save for a contact on the lower-right crystal. Purchased from the Zweibels in 1976




RUT273 - Scorodite - $2750
Tsumeb, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.1 x 1.9 x 1.4 cm
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A HUGE , sharp crystal of deep blue Scorodite with sharp edges and superb luster. For this style in particular, teh crystal is superb. The single crystal is completely exposed on front and ensconced in matrix which covers the back side but leaves the tip freestanding. This is a MAJOR Tsumeb thumbnail specimen; and a major scorodite from any locality as well! Purchased from the Zweibels in 1976





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