Libyan Desert Glass is believed to the result of the impact of a large meteorite, or the result of a significant aerial burst explosion around 28.5 million years ago (dated by the fission track method). They are the purest form of natural glass on earth, containing over 96% silica. They were first discovered by ancient Egyptians as evidenced by a scarab beatle carvings found on the mummy of King Tutankhamun. Today they are found in the deep Saharan desert, two days driving into a militarized zone near the border of Libya and Egypt. The leading theory leans towards an aerial burst ten thousand times more powerful than the Hiroshima nuclear detonation (Boslough). Some pieces have dark streaks; chemical analyses of these inclusions show enrichment by meteoritic elements, such as Osmium, with typical chondritic proportions (Koeberl C.). 

This beautiful example exhibits  sculpted, smooth faces and a rich yellow color. It weighs 19.96 grams.

SAPPHIRE6 - Corundum Var. Sapphire
$ 195.00
Balangoda, near Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
thumbnail - 2.8 x 1.5 x .9 cm

This beautiful double terminated sapphire crystal has a dynamic form with lots of "steps," going in and out. It's in great condition with a good blue color and transparency. It weighs 22.10 carats (over 4 grams). There is a smaller sapphire growing into the side of it. It was found in the mid 1990's.

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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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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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FLUORITE10 - Fluorite with Quartz
$ 145.00 SOLD
Riemvasmaak, Kakamas Dist. Northern Cape Prov., South Africa
small cabinet - 5.7 x 4.5 x 2.9 cm

These attractive lime green fluorites occur covered in Quartz, in this remote south African mine. As part of the prepping, the fluorites are immersed in Hydrofluoric acid (think of the blood in the movie Alien that dissolves metal) that dissolves Quartz but not the Fluorite. There are current major problems with production at the mine, and future mining is uncertain. 

This piece is a beautiful contrast of green Fluorite and well crystallized Quartz crystals growing right off the front face of the flourite! There is a smaller fluorite that is covered in druzy Quartz crystals that also serves as a contrast to show how these amazing minerals form.

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FLUORITE11 - Fluorite with Quartz
$ 135.00 SOLD
Riemvasmaak, Kakamas Dist. Northern Cape Prov., South Africa
miniature - 4.0 x 3.5 x 3.6 cm

These attractive lime green fluorites occur covered in Quartz, in this remote south African mine. As part of the prepping, the fluorites are immersed in Hydrofluoric acid (think of the blood in the movie Alien that dissolves metal) that dissolves Quartz but not the Fluorite. There are current major problems with production at the mine, and future mining is uncertain. 

This gemmy richly colored well formed fluorite cluster is handsomely "frosted" with druzy quartz. The largest fluorite measures 2.2 cm long. No damage.

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GOLD8 - Gold
$ 795.00 SOLD NET
Near Santa Elena, Venezuela
thumbnail - 1.5 x 1.2 x .8 cm

This bright, naturally crystallized gold crystal was found recently in the jungles of Venezuela. These amazing crystals are found in a remote area that is renowned for being incredibly dangerous. They find diamonds alongside gold crystals, which often have grown in Kaolin clay. They are very pure (98%+) and this adds to their intricate crystallization. It weighs 20.57 carats (4.11 grams).

It feels quite heavy in the hand and displays well, as it resembles a rose. No damage.

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