View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 02, 2009 17:56 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Thanks for taking time to look at my collection photos and to comment, Nurbo!
That quartz is also one of my favorites. I will be posting soon a rose quartz and a nifty little amethyst cluster of scepters. I hope you all like them as well.
Cheers,
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nurbo
Joined: 23 Sep 2008
Posts: 457
Location: Lancashire
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 02:27 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Hi Jim
Your very welcome Im really looking forward to seeing more of your collection.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 08:38 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
When I saw this specimen, I said to myself instantly, "Now that is a 'Houran' piece!" It is a doubly-terminated ruby poised perfectly on matrix. Originally acquired by Wendell Wilson in 1978. Again, I focus on loose gem crystals, but the occasional matrix specimen does find it's way to us.
Cheers!
Description: |
Corundum, var. ruby, Mysore, India, 3.6 x 3.5 x 2.1 cm |
|
Viewed: |
33335 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
33347 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
33309 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
33328 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 08:46 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
I get a great deal of requests to share this photo, so I thought I would post it for my FMF friends.
This photo (by my friend Jeff Scovil) has appeared all over the mineral literature, because it beautifully shows just how amazing Arkansas diamonds can be. The crystal is known as the "Okie Dokie Diamond" -- it is one of the most famous recent diamonds found at the Crater of Diamonds. You can read about the discovery of this gem in my chapter with Mike Howard in the AMT book.
Only 3% of diamonds found at the Crater weigh 1 carat or more, and yellow is one of the rarest colors (white and brown are most common).
This is one of my favorite crystals ever...enjoy!
Description: |
Diamond (4.21 -carats, rare canary-yellow color for locality), Crater of Diamonds State Park, Pike Co., AR, ~1.5 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
33377 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 08:57 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Here are some photos of diamond displays we have done over the years -- layout and exhibition comes naturally to me (I am a psychologist who studies sensation and perception after all!).
The exhibits showcase the geological and social history of the Crater of Diamonds State Park. An important part of our exhibits is to tell the stories behind the individual diamonds -- each crystal has a great personal history that made it famous. Sadly, it seems that most exhibits do not include this element of the "human interest" story to specimens. Pedigree and provenance can be just as fascinating as the specimens themselves.
The specimens are currently on temporary display at the Heard Museum in McKinney, Texas.
Cheers!
Description: |
Houran special display of Arkansas diamonds at the 2008 Tucson Show (part of the official AMT exhibit) |
|
Viewed: |
33337 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Houran special exhibit of Arkansas diamonds at the 2006 Denver Gem and Mineral Show |
|
Viewed: |
33337 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Aymeric
Joined: 20 Feb 2009
Posts: 32
Location: Between France & Pakistan
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 13:22 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Greetings Jim !
Those are magnificent crystals & specimen ! I especially like the Swat emerald & Brandberg quartz (definitely my favourite species!), this Mysore ruby and Yellow Crater diamond are gorgeous too. Only one thing comes to my mind, "more ! pleeeeaaaase ?"
Cheers,
Aymeric
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Montanpark
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
Posts: 241
Location: Mainz
|
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 18:05 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Gorgeous Merelani diopside!!
pls more ;-)
cheers
Roger
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 04, 2009 11:31 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Thanks so much for the compliment on the diopside! I really love that one, and I like to think it was saved from being cut.
Today, I thought I would share some cute scepter crystals. I really like scepters for some reason - they particularly remind of rocketships or castles and hence seem animated and majestic.
Description: |
Quartz, var. amethyst, cluster of scepter crystals, Maharashtra, India, 2.4 x 2.1 x 1.6 cm |
|
Viewed: |
33208 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Deeply-colored rose quartz crystals form a scepter over a gemmy to milky quartz crystal, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2.6 x 2 x 1.8 cm, ex-Jim Couch |
|
Viewed: |
33256 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Etched elbaite to form a scepter crystal, Araguaia, Brazil, 3.3 x 0.5 cm |
|
Viewed: |
33239 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 07, 2009 08:53 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Hi FMF Friends,
I wanted to share a crystal that always draw my attention when I see it in my array -- a nice emerald from North Carolina. What strikes me about it is that it has substantial width rather than being really thin like many of them. Also, the hexagonal form is very sharp for the locality and there is great luster. Most such crystals show an eroded or corroded look.
Cheers,
Description: |
Beryl, var. emerald, 3 x 2 cm, Hiddenite, North Carolina, USA |
|
Viewed: |
33145 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
33172 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Looking down on top of the c axis |
|
Viewed: |
33186 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jason
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Posts: 254
Location: atlanta
|
Posted: Aug 07, 2009 12:40 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Very nice emerald spec. living close to N.C. and going there quite often i have seen many a specs. from there and I must say yours is very nice..good shape and decent color..not a common look for N.C. emerald...nice!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 07, 2009 14:41 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Thanks for the comments, Amethystguy!
The emerald was found by long time NC dealer Bud Sigmon. It is more gemmy than it looks, and the "tuncated triangle" hexagonal shape is a bit unusual from my understanding.
Cheers,
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brooks
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 36
Location: Portsmouth, VA
|
Posted: Aug 08, 2009 10:40 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Jim, thanks for sharing your wonderful collection with us. I hope to in the near future create my own collection thread to share with those in this forum.
_________________ Brooks
"Happy Trails to You" - Roy Rogers |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 09, 2009 07:09 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Hi Brooks,
Great to hear from you, and thanks for the compliment. I hope you do show off your collection here soon. It's so fun giving people a peek into your collecting philosophy. I display regularly at different shows, but I tend not to show the gem crystals you're seing here, as most times people just like to see my Arkansas diamonds. In fact, many people don't fully realize that I collect gem crystals of many gem species.
I can't wait to see your stuff, so please post soon!
Cheers,
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 12, 2009 13:34 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
This is a really nice crystal previously in the Tom Gressman collection. These Ferro-Axinite crystals came out of Russia for a short time in the late 1990s-early 2000s, and they are regarded amongst the most impressive examples of the species ever found. This specimen is a highly lustrous, gemmy, trichroic smoky purple, red and brown color, d/t crystal cluster.
Description: |
Axinite-fe, Puiva (Pouyva) deposit, 75 km from Saranpaul, Polar Urals, Tyumenskaya Oblast', Siberia, Russia, 3.1 x 2.2 x 0.7 cm |
|
Viewed: |
32947 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 12, 2009 13:37 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
I think I’ve seen more fine red beryl TNs than morganites, so it was great to find this small crystal with a light peachy-orange color. It is very gemmy with good luster. Ex -Jean Behier Collection.
Description: |
Beryl, var. Morganite, Madagascar, 2.2 x 2.8 x 0.7 cm, |
|
Viewed: |
32936 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 14, 2009 13:29 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
I have only a few tourmalines in my collection. This is the rare variety called liddicoatite. The crystal is pristine and completely gem quality. There is a nice color separation, which even I can see (being color blind) under certain lighting! It is a little jewel in person.
Description: |
Liddicoatite, Madagascar, 25 x 9 mm |
|
Viewed: |
32791 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 14, 2009 13:36 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Again, euclase is one of my favorites species. This crystal, from a find in 2005, makes a great complement to my example from Brazil. It is a gem euclase of deep color and pristine condition front and back. The minor associated specks are pyrite. It came from the Marc Weill Collection.
Description: |
Euclase, Gachala, Boyaca Department, Colombia, 2.1 x 1.3 x 0.7 cm |
|
Viewed: |
32788 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
32806 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 24, 2009 14:54 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Here's a recent acquisition that I was thrilled to get, since it is my birthstone! Peridot, the gem form of forsterite, is one of the birtstones for August. This example is a sharp, lustrous crystal from the classic locality, and it came from the Ernie Schlichter Collection
Description: |
Forsterite (peridot), St John's Island, Egypt, Africa, 2 x 1.1 x 0.6 cm |
|
Viewed: |
32720 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
32622 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Peridot, back view of crystal |
|
Viewed: |
32634 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Dallas
|
Posted: Aug 24, 2009 14:58 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
This is a rare, gem quality aquamarine from the Mourne Mountains, Co. Down, Ireland. It has a great pedigree (ex Irv Brown, Tim Sherburn), but what makes it extra special to me is the locality.
You see... I'm adopted, and my Irish adoptive father used to take me to rock and mineral shows when I was very young. He didn't really like minerals himself, but he loved making his son happy. I show this gem crystal as a way to pay homage to my father and the Irish name of Houran.
Cheers!
Description: |
Beryl (aquamarine), Mourne Mts, County Down, Ireland, ~3 cm |
|
Viewed: |
32678 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Jim
MAD about crystals |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brooks
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 36
Location: Portsmouth, VA
|
Posted: Aug 24, 2009 17:38 Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection |
|
|
Jim, Absolutely love the gem crystals, especially the Euclase. So fine!
_________________ Brooks
"Happy Trails to You" - Roy Rogers |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|