Moldavite is a green tektite. A tektite is an impact glass, created due to the impact of a meteorite with the earth's crust. It is believed that the meteorite that created the Ries Kessel (a massive 15 mile diameter crater), 120 miles away in Germany "splashed," hot material into the atmosphere that cooled as it fell back to Earth. This impact material, landed across a relatively small (10 to 15 square mile) area in the current Czech Republic. This impact event is dated around 15 million years ago. Moldavite miners must dig holes to access this old layer in which the Moldavite is found. Moldavite is typically quite small, with the largest pieces generally available, weighing between 30 to 50 grams (up to 6-7 cm long).

This original piece  was carved by Donald Stevens, an american carver based in Bangkok. It weighs 15.7 grams, (78 carats) which means the original piece was probably well over 30 grams. The color is spot-on leafy green and gemmy. The detail work is fantastic with all the bumps of the toad. I was captivated by the quality, and the rarity of the material. 

CORUNDUM8 - Corundum var. Sapphire
$ 295.00
Potanino Mine, Ilmen Mountains, Russia
cabinet - 10 x 8.5 x 7 cm

A really cool example of a blue sapphire crystal in matrix from Russia. This is an old location I only see in collections once in a great while. It stands by itself nicely.

It weighs 491 grams / 17 ozs

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

MALACHITE3 - Primary Malachite
$ 275.00 SOLD
Bisbee, Arizona
miniature - 4.8 x 3.0 x 2 cm

The Malachite is bright and complete, and is shaped loosely like a waffle cone. Chatoyant, and heavy for its size. no damage.

This was originally from Les Presmyk (comes with their original old label mentioning the "kuhlmeyer collection")

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

CERRUSITE2 - Cerrusite facetted stone
$ 1400.00 SOLD NET
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia
thumbnail - 3 x 3 x 2 cm

Years ago I acquired a large piece of cerrusite gem rough from the Charlie Key collection. Jay Medici is an accomplished cutter in Ohio, who as a student of Art Grant, specializes in cutting soft stones such as calcite, fluorite, and cerrusite. This stone is bright and holds many internal rainbow reflections, as Cerrusite has a high refractive index. It is gemmy with minor inclusions and a light cognac color, quite indicative of Tsumeb cerrusite.  It weighs a masssive 253 carats! This is a great stone for a cut stone collector or as an impressive pairing with a fine specimen. 

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

PROUSTITE1 - Proustite
$ 3900.00 SOLD NET
Nieder Schlema, Germany
miniature - 3.8 x 2.5 x 2 cm

Proustite is a sulfosalt mineral consisiting of silver sulfarsenide. This specimen was found in Nieder Schlema Germany probably over a hundred years ago (as is typical of pieces from this locality). The first pic shows the cherry crimson color of the crystal with an LED backlight, the second pic is not backlit.The primary crystal is 3 cm long by 1.2 cm wide. There is one repair to this primary crystal that is imperceptible. 

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

TSAVORITE4 - Garnet var. Tsavorite
$ 625.00
Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mtns., Arusha Region, Tanzania
thumbnail - 1.6 x 1.3 x .7 cm

Bright, gemmy complete floater. It weighs 15 carats. It has many natural crystal faces that make it appear facetted, but is natural. In normal light it is slightly lighter in color than pictured. Gem crystals like this have become popular in custom, high gauge wire wraps. This would be perfect for one given it has a natural, terminated flat back. 

---

(click on the picture to enlarge)

DIOPTASE1 - Dioptase
$ 650.00
Altyn-Tyube, Karagandy Oblast, Kazakhstan
cabinet - 15 x 9 x 7 cm

This is a large dramatic example of Dioptase. It exhibits the best color from Kazakhstan, a rich emerald green. The dioptase from here is typically formed in seams within the host rock, and the crystals are commonly small, but intensely brilliant. 972 grams/ over 2 pounds. (I'm not quiting my day job to become a hand model, it just helps to know how large this piece is).

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

GOLD22 - Gold w/ Quartz
$ 435.00 SOLD NET
Carson Hill Mine, Calavares Co., California
thumbnail - 2.8 x 1.3 x .6 cm

Beautiful patina, bright rich color. 9.1 grams. I got this piece in a large trade, and I've priced this competitively at $48 a gram.

---

(click on the picture to enlarge)

HERKBOTTLE1 - Herkimer diamonds with Spinel Pendant
$ 65.00 SOLD NET
Ace of Diamonds Mine, Herkimer County, New York
thumbnail - 2.3 x 1.1 x 1.1 cm

Once in awhile at the bottom of pockets in Herkimer, there will be a sand that includes perfect tiny micro herkimer diamonds. Over many years I've picked out these herkimers from the sand and graded out the perfectly clear, complete crystals. The pendant is a hand-blown pyrex bottle topped with a sterling silver cap. I added a cherry red gem spinel crystal from Burma, to add contrast both in form and color. Each one is completely unique as these are labor intensive, original creations. The pic is a consisitent representative of what we currently have in stock.

---

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

OPAL14 - Opal var. Hyalite
$ 135.00
San Luis Potosi, Mexico
small cabinet - 5.3 x 5 x 2.3 cm

This opal has a beautiful contrast of clear internal characteristics, and orange and red highlights within the piece. The clear areas will fluoresce green under short wave. The red/orange areas do not fluoresce as the iron quenches the fluorescence.  It has a range of different sized boytroidal bubbles, and a nice depth within the stone. No damage.

 

---

(click on a page number to go to that page:)

1

2

 page 1 / 2  -  20 specimens selected  -  next  -  top  -  Home