Although the mineral Creedite is common, excellent examples are not. This is a great example all around. It has a good orange color, matched with bright clear crystals. It is just the right size, and has a "well placed," ball in the center that makes it quite aesthetic. It's in fine condition, esp. since virtually all creedites are damaged (many occur on the ceiling of the mine and have to be pried loose with a pole and then hopefully caught as they fall (like spiked coconuts falling - yikes!). This one has a barely noticeable spot on the far left side where three or four small crystals are missing, which is nothing for a cluster of this size. 

Creedites are found in a highly mineralized clay (that affects their color), within a Breccia Pipe, that had injected hot solution that later crystallized as Creedite. Mining these is fraught with danger, as cave-ins are quite common, and have finished recent production (according to Mike New).

SIKHOTE7 - Sikhote-Alin Meteorite
$ 215.00 (=~ € 201.90) SOLD
Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Eastern Siberia, Russia
small cabinet - 6.2 x 4 x 1.8 cm

This nickel iron meteorite fell on Feb. 12, 1947 in the Sikhote-alin Mountains of Eastern Siberia, Russia. It is the largest observed meteorite fall in history, with over 23000 kg raining down on the earth in the form of iron shrapnel and the more rare individual fallen meteorites such as this one. A couple years ago, the Russian government has made it difficult to export, and diggers I knew said there was almost nothing left to find.

This specimen has two faces; one side is covered in regmaglypts and along the edges it has a lip that formed when it was falling through the atmosphere while oriented on one side (the friction creates heat that melts the surface of the iron and it ripples  to the edges of the piece and creates a lip). The other side is more coarse.  it weighs 94 grams. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

HESSONITE6 - Garnet var. Hessonite w/ Diopside
$ 595.00 (=~ € 558.76) SOLD
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada
miniature - 3.4 x 2.1 x 1.8 cm

This specimen exhibits a single large, gemmy garnet surrounded by smaller garnets and nicely framed by Diopside crystals. The back side of it has a little cavern filled with Diopside, with more small garnets. It is unusual to find a hessonite that is well "situated," on matrix. The Jeffrey mine has been closed for years, with only a little digging with hand tools off and on for the last two years. No chips or dings. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

FAIRBURN1 - Agate Var. Fairburn
$ 245.00 (=~ € 230.08) SOLD
Fairburn, Custer Co., South Dakota
small cabinet - 5.5 x 4.8 x 2.5 cm

Fairburn agates are incredibly rare. I have hunted for them before in South Dakota and found nothing for two days (others spend months and find none). I found this in an old collection, and it still has the sticky tape label on the back (pictured). It is not polished or damaged at all. It weighs 104 grams. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

AQUA10 - Beryl var. Aquamarine
$ 295.00 (=~ € 277.03)
Quy Chau District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam
thumbnail - 2.85 x .6 x .6 cm

This crystal was "hiding," in a gem rough parcel. I think the owner overlooked the termination. This is a relatively new location. This crystal is a stunner, with excellent color and unparalleled gem clarity. I can mount on a custom acrylic base if desired. no damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

AQUA9 - Beryl Var. Aquamarine with Muscovite
$ 235.00 (=~ € 220.68) SOLD
Skardu, Skardu Road, Haramosh Mts, Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan.
miniature - 5 x 4 x 3.5 cm

This beautiful miniature Aqua, stands elegantly by itself. There are numerous double terminated Aquas perched on a mass of muscovite crystals. No visible damage. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

TOPAZ9 - Topaz Var. Imperial
$ 65.00 (=~ € 61.04) SOLD
Oro Preto, Brazil
thumbnail - 2.8 x .9 x .8 cm

Bright, transparent imperial Topaz crystals are proving very difficult to find on the market any more. This one shines like a cut stone because it is so gemmy. It has some very micro chips along edges (visible with microscope). It weighs 3.7 grams. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

FELDSPAR1 - Feldspar with Biotite mica, Smoky Quartz, Topaz and Schorl
$ 195.00 (=~ € 183.12) SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia
cabinet - 12.2 x 11.6 x 2.9 cm

This attractive specimen features a broad composition of minerals. there are several large Biotite Mica crystals, as well as larger Smoky Quartz crystals. There is one topaz crystal perched in the middle (1.7 cm wide), and numerous small gemmy topaz crystals sprinkled around the piece. Other smaller crystals include whiter Cleavelandites, and several Schorl crystals spread through out. this menagerie of minerals is all on top of well crystallized beige feldspars. I first got this piece as part of the Charlie Key collection, then sold it to Steve Dowell then acquired it again with Steve's entire collection. 

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