View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Conor Quinlan
Joined: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Jun 10, 2020 14:53 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! (June) |
|
|
Hello Everyone,
I have many incredible specimens to share this month after expanding my personal collection during this lull.
The following mineral specimens will be posted in random order below over the course of the week. Each post will include (2) specimens with pictures & a short description:
1. Carlsbad-twinned topaz a/f orthoclase
2. Red topaz & hyalite opal
3. Beryl var. aquamarine & tourmaline var. schorl on orthoclase
4. Native copper a/f cuprite with native silver
5. Kunzite covered with bi-colored tourmaline
6. Rhodochrosite a/f bivalve fossil
7. Chunky hexagonal mimetite on matrix
8. Iridescent opal in silica matrix
9. Native crystalline gold
Mineral Posts:
3. High quality aquamarine specimens are a favorite amongst collectors because of their jaw dropping aesthetic nature. The enticing rich blue color in combination with a gorgeous crystalline structure makes this species a must have for any serious collector.
I have wanted a top quality aquamarine ever since I was a kid & this specimen doesn't disappoint with a few unique features!
Features a huge (7.3 cm) long doubly terminated partially clear aquamarine that's uniquely interpenetrated with dark scholar crystal at the center.
Dozens of complex & beautiful scholar crystals cover the specimen as well as several more aquamarine crystals.
Exhibited on a matrix of solid orthoclase which displays an aesthetic pattern of complex twinning & structural modifications.
9. Just acquired a few days ago, normally I'm not as interested in gold specimens, but this native gold exhibits some of the most interesting crystal formations I have ever seen!
Primarily a very rare (1.5 cm) formation made from (6-7) perfectly terminated spinel-law twin crystals!
Several hoppered octahedrons ranging from (1 - 3 mm) in size surround the formation.
Beautiful compact dendritic patterns are exhibited on the opposite side the specimen.
Complete "Floater" crystal with no damage or points of contact!
Exquisite top quality "mirror-brilliant" luster with a buttery yellow golden hue
Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) & Schorl (Tourmaline Group) on Orthoclase |
Locality: | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
|
Dimensions: | (11.3 x 6.9 x 6 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8595 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) & Schorl (Tourmaline Group) on Orthoclase |
Locality: | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
|
Dimensions: | (11.3 x 6.9 x 6 cm) |
Description: |
Image shows the back of the specimen where the complex twinned orthoclase is displayed. Very Aesthetic! |
|
Viewed: |
8595 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Gold |
Locality: | Eagle's Nest Mine, Sage Hill, Michigan Bluff District, Placer County, California, USA | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.1 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm) |
Description: |
Native Crystalline Gold Shows the complex & beautiful crystalline formation made up of what I believe are either spinel law, triangular contact twins or some combination. |
|
Viewed: |
8591 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Gold |
Locality: | Eagle's Nest Mine, Sage Hill, Michigan Bluff District, Placer County, California, USA | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.1 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm) |
Description: |
Native Crystalline Gold Shows the other side of the specimen which exhibits a mesmerizing compact dendritic pattern formation |
|
Viewed: |
8562 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Gold |
Locality: | Eagle's Nest Mine, Sage Hill, Michigan Bluff District, Placer County, California, USA | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.1 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm) |
Description: |
Native Crystalline Gold Angle shows the suspected "triangular contact twins" as well as some "hopped octahedron" crystals |
|
Viewed: |
8589 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) & Schorl (Tourmaline Group) on Orthoclase |
Locality: | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
|
Dimensions: | (11.3 x 6.9 x 6 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8609 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Sincerely,
Conor Quinlan | (Tucson, AZ)
(+20-Yrs) of Mineral Hunting Experience
Tucson Mineral Show Fanatic Since (1999) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Conor Quinlan
Joined: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Jun 10, 2020 15:26 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! |
|
|
Sorry for the late response, it's been a busy couple weeks.
I agree that labeling is necessary to give a specimen legitimate historical value. I should've introduced the specimen differently; yes, I wish the specimen included a label but the actual mineral itself is more important to my personal collection than the history as I collect feldspar minerals & even without a label it's still a rare ortho pseudo that was most likely sourced from Cornwall between 1828-1860s.
And w/o the label I was able to negotiate a far better deal!
I have read several articles and there seem to be relatively few locations that produce these Carlsbad pseudos, especially more recently (after 1900). I can only find one mine outside the U.K. that produces similar pseudos in Bolivia, but their appearance seems fairly distinct from the Cornwall pieces which have minute tinges of dark red-orange spots. The Cornwall Mine stopped producing these specimens in 1860s. Given this info, I am confident the specimen is from Cornwall, just don't know the exact mining date, but it's most likely before 1860!
_________________ Sincerely,
Conor Quinlan | (Tucson, AZ)
(+20-Yrs) of Mineral Hunting Experience
Tucson Mineral Show Fanatic Since (1999) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4108
Location: Germany
|
Posted: Jun 15, 2020 04:08 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! |
|
|
I really like that 11 cm aquamarine specimen from Erongo.
A world-class piece, congratulations!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Conor Quinlan
Joined: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Jun 17, 2020 18:20 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! (Mimetite & Copper a/f Cuprite w/ Silver) |
|
|
(2 of 4) Update on "Best of the Month mineral specimens":
4. Native Copper a/f Cuprite w/ Native Silver:
I have never been a huge fan of metal based minerals but I was pleasantly surprised by this stunning piece which exhibits copper in a way that was truly aesthetic to me. The sharply defined copper pseudomorph displays intricately defined crystals that maintain a perfect octahedral structure. The bit of native silver that shines though is displayed in the form of a disk along with several other smaller patches of silver which are spread all over the specimen.
7. Chunky Hexagonal Mimetite on Matrix:
Perfect & Beautiful this mimetite specimen shows how stunning the mineral can be when exhibited in the form of larger crystals (up to 1.2 cm). The appearance is somewhat special too with a butterscotch yellow color.
Mineral: | Copper a/f Cuprite w/ Native Silver |
Locality: | Rubtsovskoe Mine, Rubtsovsky District, Altai Krai, Russia | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.7 x 2.4 x 2.5 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8194 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Copper a/f Cuprite w/ Native Silver |
Locality: | Rubtsovskoe Mine, Rubtsovsky District, Altai Krai, Russia | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.7 x 2.4 x 2.5 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8191 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Copper a/f Cuprite w/ Native Silver |
Locality: | Rubtsovskoe Mine, Rubtsovsky District, Altai Krai, Russia | |
|
Dimensions: | (2.7 x 2.4 x 2.5 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8193 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Chunky Mimetite on Matrix |
Locality: | Mount Bonnie Mine, Grove Hill, Victoria Daly Regional Council, Katherine Region, Northern Territory, Australia | |
|
Dimensions: | (3.25 x 1.9 x 1.4 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8200 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Chunky Mimetite on Matrix |
Locality: | Mount Bonnie Mine, Grove Hill, Victoria Daly Regional Council, Katherine Region, Northern Territory, Australia | |
|
Dimensions: | (3.25 x 1.9 x 1.4 cm) |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
8202 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Sincerely,
Conor Quinlan | (Tucson, AZ)
(+20-Yrs) of Mineral Hunting Experience
Tucson Mineral Show Fanatic Since (1999) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4108
Location: Germany
|
Posted: Jun 18, 2020 03:57 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! |
|
|
Superb mimetite crystals!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Conor Quinlan
Joined: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Jun 18, 2020 14:43 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! (Kunzite + Tourmaline & Opal) |
|
|
Update (3 of 4) on "Best of Month" mineral specimens for June 2020:
5. Clear Kunzite w/ Bi-Colored Tourmaline:
Being an avid collector of specimens that exhibit multiple minerals I was delighted to discover this fantastic piece. Although the kunzite appears clear a very faint yellow tinge is visible & can be compounded when viewed from the correct angle. The kunzite is also nearly perfect structurally & most importantly adds an aesthetic appeal that's very unique & impossible to achieve with either mineral alone
The contrasting pink & green colors exhibited by the tourmaline are fairly vivid & have a high luster that gleams brightly when lit with lighting. All crystals are gemmy with great clarity & decently low levels of inclusions.
8. Iridescent Precious Opal in Silica Matrix:
Precious opal displays every color of the rainbow with great intensity. Exhibits green, yellow, blue & purple in lower light, then displays orange & red as light intensity increases. Opal completely fills every cavity reaching depths, as well as widths, of up to (2 cm) within & across the matrix. The largest estimated volume of almost solid opal = (2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm). The inclusion of a silica based matrix made this piece even more appealing as a naturally sourced mineral specimen.
Mineral: | Spodumene (variety kunzite) and 'Tourmaline' |
Locality: | Dara-I-Pech District (Pech District), Kunar Province (Konar), Afghanistan | |
|
Dimensions: | 21 x 3.5 x 2.75 cm |
Description: |
Kunzite & Bi-Colored Tourmaline |
|
Viewed: |
8072 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Spodumene (variety kunzite) and 'Tourmaline' |
Locality: | Dara-I-Pech District (Pech District), Kunar Province (Konar), Afghanistan | |
|
Dimensions: | (21 x 3.5 x 2.75 cm) |
Description: |
Kunzite & Bi-Colored Tourmaline Close-up of bi-colored tourmaline crystals on kunzite |
|
Viewed: |
8079 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Spodumene (variety kunzite) and 'Tourmaline' |
Locality: | Dara-I-Pech District (Pech District), Kunar Province (Konar), Afghanistan | |
|
Dimensions: | (21 x 3.5 x 2.75 cm) |
Description: |
Kunzite & Bi-Colored Tourmaline Back side of the specimen which is only kunzite |
|
Viewed: |
8078 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Opal |
Locality: | Queensland, Australia | |
|
Dimensions: | (5.5 x 5 x 4 cm) |
Description: |
Precious Opal in Silica Matrix Close-up of precious opal veins in the silica based matrix |
|
Viewed: |
8106 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Opal |
Locality: | Queensland, Australia | |
|
Dimensions: | (5.5 x 5 x 4 cm) |
Description: |
Precious Opal in Silica Matrix |
|
Viewed: |
8093 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Sincerely,
Conor Quinlan | (Tucson, AZ)
(+20-Yrs) of Mineral Hunting Experience
Tucson Mineral Show Fanatic Since (1999) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Conor Quinlan
Joined: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 24
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Aug 10, 2020 18:55 Post subject: Unique Ultra-Rare Silver Amalgam Specimen: Luanheite & Eugenite |
|
|
Although Silver Amalgams are ultra-rare in nature when they do occur they are generally quite dull in appearance & form in thin sheets.
However, this particular specimen exhibits a far more complex & thick structure, as well as a very unique, highly aesthetic, bronze patina in addition to the silver! More than likely a one-of-a-kind specimen!
(SEM) tested to verify the existence of both Luanheite as well as Eugenite by Prof. N. Rudashevsky (Signed Document w/ Labeled SEM Images).
Also found additional deposits of the following minerals:
Stephanie | Freibergite | Pyragyrite | Polybasite | Acantite | Sphalerite | Arsenopyrite | Limonite | Quartz
Mineral: | Luanheite |
Locality: | Privol'noye Mine, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia | |
|
Dimensions: | (5.9 x 3.3 x 1 cm) |
Description: |
Front Side of the luanheite |
|
Viewed: |
7692 Time(s) |
|
Mineral: | Luanheite |
Locality: | Privol'noye Mine, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia | |
|
Dimensions: | (5.9 x 3.3 x 1 cm) |
Description: |
Back Side of the luanheite |
|
Viewed: |
7697 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Sincerely,
Conor Quinlan | (Tucson, AZ)
(+20-Yrs) of Mineral Hunting Experience
Tucson Mineral Show Fanatic Since (1999) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Peter Lemkin
Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Posts: 398
Location: Prague
|
Posted: Aug 10, 2020 23:21 Post subject: Re: Unique Ultra-Rare Silver Amalgam Specimen: Luanheite & Eugenite |
|
|
Wow! Not only rare, but a nice and large specimen. Lucky you.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
James Catmur
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 1347
Location: Cambridge
|
Posted: Aug 11, 2020 10:53 Post subject: Re: Unique Ultra-Rare Silver Amalgam Specimen: Luanheite & Eugenite |
|
|
Conor
I am not sure they are 'ultra-rare in nature' as I have a fair number in my collection. They are not common but there are far rarer minerals.
Have a look at this one on the Spanish side
https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=151067#151067
James
Conor Quinlan wrote: | Although Silver Amalgams are ultra-rare in nature |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4108
Location: Germany
|
Posted: Aug 13, 2020 03:20 Post subject: Re: Best Finds of the Month! (Kunzite + Tourmaline & Opal) |
|
|
Conor Quinlan wrote: | Opal
Queensland, Australia
Dimensions: (5.5 x 5 x 4 cm)
Precious Opal in Silica Matrix | Gorgeous opal - I love it!!!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|