The Danburite crystal weighs 83 carats (16+grams) and the cut Danburite oval weighs 7.20 carats. Danburite crystals are notoriously damaged, and finding a sizeable one with no dings and some clarity is remarkably difficult. Danburite has a hardness of 7 - 7.5, and has a higher refractory index than a diamond, so as a cut stone it is quite sparkly. It is a Calcium Borosilicate, and it is taken out of a zinc mine by enterprising Mexican miners. Lately production has been very poor, with primarily "lechosa," or "milky" crystals being found. The entire chizel shaped termination is pristine. There is some side damage on the piece, but the clarity and intact termination makes up for that. I got the cut stone out of an old collection, it was facetted around 20 years ago. the price was right, so I'm passing it along. The two pics show the front and back of the crystal. 

DATOLITE1 - Datolite with Quartz
$ 65.00
Dalnegorsk, Primorskij Kraj, Russia
miniature - 4.4 x 3.7 x 2.8 cm

This bright twinned Datolite is perched alongside a cluster of Quartz crystals. Many Datolites from this location are either dark and blocky or so light in color as to seem invisible. This example has a slight green tint. Some of the quartz crystals have broken off, but the centerpiece is the Datolite, which is in great shape (very tiny chipping along an edge, seen with loupe).

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

ACANTHITE1 - Acanthite
$ 99.00 DISCOUNTED 40.00% OFF TO $ 59.40
Imiter, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
miniature - 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.8 cm

This bright, aesthetic specimen is composed of numerous octohedral crystals, including a "tower," that extends up from the large mass of Acanthite crystals. It sits up nicely by iteself. No visible damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

ACANTHITE3 - Acanthite
$ 55.00 DISCOUNTED 25.00% OFF TO $ 41.25
Imiter, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
miniature - 4.5 x 2.8 x 1.8 cm

This piece is very bright with sharp edges. no visible damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

HERKIMER6 - Quartz, var. Herkimer Diamond
$ 120.00
Ace of Diamonds Mine, Herkimer County, New York
miniature - 3.7 x 2.5 x 2.1 cm

Herkimer Diamonds are a special variety of Quartz, found in Herkimer county, New York. The deposit occurs in dolomite (silicified limestone) and is incredibly difficult to break. Fossils are found alongside Herkimers, that further indicates a low temperature crystallization. Miners use heavy sledge hammers and chizels to remove many feet of overburden, to expose the pocket layer. Herkimers were named by General Herkimer in the mid 1800's.

This interesting cluster consists of 5 clear crystals, that grew this way in the pocket, were mined individually and then re-constructed using clear epoxy. There are several small contacts (where ever smaller herks grew and were not recovered), and one small black spot where it contacted the dolomite slightly. Overall damage free.  

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

WULFENITE3 - Wulfenite
$ 225.00
Wulfenite from Villa Ahumada, Sierra de Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico
miniature - 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.3 cm

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

APOPHYLLITE5 - Apophyllite with Scolecite
$ 225.00
Jalisgoan, near Jalgoan, Maharashtra State, India
miniature - 4.95 x 3.95 x 3.3 cm

This dynamic piece has the unusual components of both green apophyllite and sprays of white Scolecite. It was found in summer of 2012 in a small pocket in a village in India, after they had dug a well. The longest Apophyllite is 2.0 cm long. The apophyllites are bright and reflective and quite green (not too light). They have flat terminations simlar to the famous "disco ball," find many years ago. No damage. THis is a well balanced piece of contrasting form and color. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

LINARITE1 - Linarite
$ 95.00
Sunshine #1 Mine, Bingham, NM
miniature - 4 x 3.1 x 1.4 cm

I just acquired this from John Rakovan, who for years has lead research digs to the various mines in Bingham, NM. Fluorite is the primary mineral found, and Linarite is quite rare. This one has a distinct rich blue color.It comes with his label.

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