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29 Mar-00:03:53 Identification question (Jim Wilkinson)
28 Mar-23:16:36 Re: collection of volkmar stingl (Volkmar Stingl)
28 Mar-18:25:15 Re: collection of firmo espinar (Firmo Espinar)
28 Mar-09:37:50 Re: 2 unknowns co-occurring with caledonite, grand reef mine, az (Cfrench58)
27 Mar-19:47:08 Re: 2 unknowns co-occurring with caledonite, grand reef mine, az (Pete Richards)
27 Mar-16:15:44 Re: 2 unknowns co-occurring with caledonite, grand reef mine, az (Cfrench58)
27 Mar-15:18:59 Re: 2 unknowns co-occurring with caledonite, grand reef mine, az (Alfredo)
27 Mar-14:39:29 2 unknowns co-occurring with caledonite, grand reef mine, az (Cfrench58)
27 Mar-05:21:48 Re: the mim museum in beirut, lebanon (Mim Museum)
27 Mar-05:03:26 Re: trying to find information on rose/pink quartz and tourmaline associations. (Ning)
27 Mar-02:39:50 Re: the mim museum in beirut, lebanon (Tobi)
27 Mar-00:23:28 Re: collection of volkmar stingl (Volkmar Stingl)
26 Mar-00:53:41 Re: collection of volkmar stingl (Volkmar Stingl)
25 Mar-13:32:10 Re: collection of michael shaw (Michael Shaw)
25 Mar-00:25:58 The mizunaka collection - quartz (Am Mizunaka)
23 Mar-13:35:22 Re: collection of firmo espinar (Firmo Espinar)
22 Mar-08:32:28 Re: collection of michael shaw (Michael Shaw)
22 Mar-04:20:41 Re: the mim museum in beirut, lebanon (Mim Museum)
21 Mar-22:49:19 Re: green seam. Looks like it in a state of decay. (Ning)
21 Mar-22:47:40 Re: green seam. Looks like it in a state of decay. (Ning)
21 Mar-22:45:25 Re: green seam. Looks like it in a state of decay. (Ning)
21 Mar-15:34:23 Re: the mizunaka collection - quartz (Am Mizunaka)
21 Mar-14:35:08 Re: jim’s mineral collection (Jim Wilkinson)
21 Mar-14:15:36 The 4th phoenix heritage mineral show (phms) hosted by mineralogical society of arizona (m (Chris Whitney-smith)
21 Mar-04:36:10 Re: the mizunaka collection (Tobi)

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Jim Houran Collection
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Jim




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PostPosted: 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,

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nurbo




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PostPosted: 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.
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PostPosted: 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!



4534tn.jpg
 Description:
Corundum, var. ruby, Mysore, India, 3.6 x 3.5 x 2.1 cm
 Viewed:  32768 Time(s)

4534tn.jpg



DSCN8606.jpg
 Description:
the back
 Viewed:  32780 Time(s)

DSCN8606.jpg



4534a.jpg
 Description:
another view
 Viewed:  32742 Time(s)

4534a.jpg



4534.jpg
 Description:
another view
 Viewed:  32759 Time(s)

4534.jpg



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PostPosted: 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!



Copy of Okie Dokie diamond.jpg
 Description:
Diamond (4.21 -carats, rare canary-yellow color for locality), Crater of Diamonds State Park, Pike Co., AR, ~1.5 cm.
 Viewed:  32810 Time(s)

Copy of Okie Dokie diamond.jpg



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PostPosted: 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!



ark1.jpg
 Description:
Houran special display of Arkansas diamonds at the 2008 Tucson Show (part of the official AMT exhibit)
 Viewed:  32771 Time(s)

ark1.jpg



b2e5.jpg
 Description:
Houran special exhibit of Arkansas diamonds at the 2006 Denver Gem and Mineral Show
 Viewed:  32770 Time(s)

b2e5.jpg



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Aymeric




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PostPosted: 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
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Montanpark




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PostPosted: Aug 03, 2009 18:05    Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection  

Gorgeous Merelani diopside!!

pls more ;-)

cheers
Roger
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PostPosted: 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.



amethyst scepter cluster.jpg
 Description:
Quartz, var. amethyst, cluster of scepter crystals, Maharashtra, India, 2.4 x 2.1 x 1.6 cm
 Viewed:  32641 Time(s)

amethyst scepter cluster.jpg



rose quartz scepter.jpg
 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:  32688 Time(s)

rose quartz scepter.jpg



sceptertourmaline.jpg
 Description:
Etched elbaite to form a scepter crystal, Araguaia, Brazil, 3.3 x 0.5 cm
 Viewed:  32673 Time(s)

sceptertourmaline.jpg



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PostPosted: 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,



emerald3.jpg
 Description:
Beryl, var. emerald, 3 x 2 cm, Hiddenite, North Carolina, USA
 Viewed:  32577 Time(s)

emerald3.jpg



emerald4.jpg
 Description:
side view of the emerald
 Viewed:  32603 Time(s)

emerald4.jpg



emerald2.jpg
 Description:
Looking down on top of the c axis
 Viewed:  32618 Time(s)

emerald2.jpg



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Jason




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PostPosted: 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!
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PostPosted: 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.

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Brooks




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PostPosted: 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.
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PostPosted: 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,

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PostPosted: 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.


axinite.jpg
 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:  32382 Time(s)

axinite.jpg



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PostPosted: 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.


Morganite.jpg
 Description:
Beryl, var. Morganite, Madagascar,
2.2 x 2.8 x 0.7 cm,
 Viewed:  32367 Time(s)

Morganite.jpg



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PostPosted: 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.


liddicoatite.jpg
 Description:
Liddicoatite, Madagascar, 25 x 9 mm
 Viewed:  32221 Time(s)

liddicoatite.jpg



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PostPosted: 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.


euclaseblue1.jpg
 Description:
Euclase, Gachala, Boyaca Department, Colombia, 2.1 x 1.3 x 0.7 cm
 Viewed:  32220 Time(s)

euclaseblue1.jpg



euclase top.jpg
 Description:
Looking down the c-axis
 Viewed:  32231 Time(s)

euclase top.jpg



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PostPosted: 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


peridot 1.jpg
 Description:
Forsterite (peridot), St John's Island, Egypt, Africa, 2 x 1.1 x 0.6 cm
 Viewed:  32150 Time(s)

peridot 1.jpg



peridot 2.jpg
 Description:
Peridot, nice front view
 Viewed:  32046 Time(s)

peridot 2.jpg



peridot 3.jpg
 Description:
Peridot, back view of crystal
 Viewed:  32066 Time(s)

peridot 3.jpg



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PostPosted: 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!



Beryl-Aquamarine-Ireland_0652.jpg
 Description:
Beryl (aquamarine), Mourne Mts, County Down, Ireland, ~3 cm
 Viewed:  32112 Time(s)

Beryl-Aquamarine-Ireland_0652.jpg



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PostPosted: Aug 24, 2009 17:38    Post subject: Re: Jim Houran Collection  

Jim, Absolutely love the gem crystals, especially the Euclase. So fine!
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