FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[bob kerr]

In the room of Marco Toroni (D13) part of his personal collection was on display - there were wonderful Pederneira tourmalines and this excellent Vesuvianite from Bellecombe, Italy - not for sale.

bob

[bob kerr]

I visited Mustafa of Fine Art Minerals where he is again set up in the lobby of the Crystal Classics building. He had some interesting double terminated quartzes with (typically) double terminated tourmalines attached.

See photos.

bob

[bob kerr]

Also, in the Crystal Classics room were the higher end pieces of that new Rhodochrosite find from Santa Eulalia, Mexico.

bob

[bob kerr]

Visiting the "White House" of Danny Trinchillo's Fine Minerals International is always a pleasure. Here's some of the eye candy he had on display.

Note especially the Bournonite specimen with the fluorite cube on top from Yaogangxian.


bob

[bob kerr]

Here's another special specimen on display in the Crystal Classics Building. It's a large Elmwood Mine specimen (about 25cm tall) that displays all four of the major species of that mine - calcite, sphalerite, barite and fluorite. I've been looking for years for a smaller piece of this combination without luck. They are few and far between.

bob

[bob kerr]

Two houses south of "The White House" you can find The Granada Mineral Showcase where you can find:

"This new high-end mineral show will feature multiple showrooms, a special exhibition, welcoming garden, coffee drinks and parking. Additionally, we will be releasing selected specimens from the Pohl Mineral Collection curated by The Arkenstone & Mineral Auctions."

This is definitely a must visit site - and don't forget to visit the downstairs where there's a large display of golds and silvers (not for sale) and some of the auction material.

see photos.

bob

[bob kerr]

Too well hidden at the far end of Buidling B (B14) is the Mineral Angel dealership. They had a large lot of "Green Quartz". These are very similar to those that came out from Russia many years ago but I think these are new to Huanggang. This new dig produced many high-quality specimens some associated with hedenbergite crystals (I always thought that the coloration was due to hedenbergite inclusions, but the dealer says the chromophore is asbestos.)

bob

[Joseph DOliveira]

Thanks for the clarification on the coloration Bob, Many of the Chinese dealers have been selling these as hedenbergite included quartz. I also saw the Huanggang mine listed as the Huanggangliang mine, I guess I'll have to redo a few labels when I arrive home.

[bob kerr]

Visited the Westward Look today - to quote Twain: "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" - or to quote Monty Python "I'm not dead yet".

12 high-end/elite dealers have taken it upon themselves to hold a show at the Westward Look in the same rooms used previously. EXCELLENT specimens abound and are a viewing delight - but simply out of range of most collectors.

I'll try to cover a few here.

First will be Marcus Budil who has an Alps display case that is something that mineral collector's dreams are made of. I especially like two pieces showing complete octahedral pink fluorites on gemmy smokey quartz. Marcus said that these came out some time ago but are new to me.

He also had an accumulation of Stibnites each of which would need their own cases for proper display.

More on Westward Look to follow.

bob

[bob kerr]

Christophe and Brice Gobin also have a room in the Westward Look and two pieces really caught my eye. See photos.

bob

[bob kerr]

Rob Sielecki at Crystal Universe (Ausrox) has a bournonite cogwheel group that must be seen to be believed - lustrous, large and complete all the way around - excellent.

bob

[bob kerr]

Gulam Mustafa had a single display case loaded with exquisite specimens - including two "kinda blue cap" tourmalines from Paprok.

bob

[bob kerr]

In what seems to be "The Mineral of the Show" theme; Fluorite, Kevin Downey of Well-Arranged Molecules has some top pieces - see photos.

bob

[bob kerr]

Every year The Ramoses in the Top Gem annex bring literally tons of Peruvian sulfides - especially pyrite from Huanzala - with usually a new or unique crystal form. This year was no exception as they were showing what appears ro be "pyrite frosting" on pyrite dodecahedrons. See photos.

Also, on offering later in the day were "Pisco Sours" - a traditional Peruvian cocktail that is quite refreshing and a real treat with cheeses, meats and crackers.

This kinda took me back to the Desert Inn days when late in the day the area around the pool became the REAL mineral central.

bob

[bob kerr]

In Wayne Thompson's Westward Look room, he was displaying many of his specimens of fluorite from around the world and through the visible spectrum. These were not for sale but were a pleasure to google over.

bob