This beautiful interpentetrating twin, fluorite came from the Les Tolonen collection. We were able to acquire 100 flats of his best material, representing his 100 trips to the cave-in-rock district spanning 35 years of his doing business in the area while it was in production. You don't often see complete cubes of fluorite from Illinois (or really any location). Both are zoned with a puplish-blue exterior and a light yellow core in each crystal. The large crystal is sitting on a smaller one that is on a small bit of matrix on the very bottom (if you'd like an acryllic base and mineral tack, just ask and I'll include it). Most Illinois fluorite has damage of one kind or another due to the softness of flluorite and the lack of care during recovery. This piece is in great shape, considering everything. There are a few Tiny chips no bigger than 1 mm, typically along an edge (as pictured). Overall, it's a good twin. 

WULFENITE2 - Wulfenite with Mimetite on Limonite
$ 495.00 SOLD NET
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
cabinet - 11 x 7 x 5 cm

Wulfenites as well as Mimetite specimens were mined about 2 years ago at the Ojuela mine, following a prolonged draught that lowered the water table low enough to allow mining in these previously flooded zones. Since then there have been production issues due to re-flooding, as well as cartel activity in the area. Even when they were producing, this was a fine example of the wulfenites found at the time. They are forming on top of green Mimetite (most obvious in third pic). The crystals appear a little more orangy in incandescent light, but are bright and glassy regardless.  It's in great condition overall with a small touch of damage on the lower bottom right side (not visible when displayed).  I can include a stand if requested.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

PHENAKITE2 - Phenakite
$ 195.00 SOLD
Anjanabonoina Pegmatites, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
thumbnail - 2.6 x 1.2 x 1.1 cm

This crystal has a large transparent area within it that calls attention to the multiple faces that sets Phenakite apart from other whitish minerals. This is actually a large example, as most Phenakites from Madagascar are very small. This one is also bright and has a good termination. No damage.

 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

SPESSARTINE6 - Garnet Var. Spessartine
$ 125.00 SOLD
Nani, Loliondo, Tanzania
miniature - 3.2 x 3 x 3 cm

 It comes from the same deposit that hit the market with a "splash," a couple years ago. When first discovered garnets like this were over $500. The deposit proved to be overly fruitful, and the price fell dramatically. For $125, this is a value for exactly what it is: a well formed gemmy orange-red spessartine garnet. It weighs 36 grams. There is some very minute chipping along an edge or two, but overall it's in good condition with good color and nice sharp faces as pictured. It is noteworthy for its bright orange color (not brownish at all) and transparency. 

 

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