|
|
|
(CORUNDUMS AND OTHER MINERAL SPECIMENS FOR
SALE) |
| |
| |
| |
| It has been so much fun collecting that we
decided to see if selling would bring similar enjoyment.
Through numerous friendships struck over the years, I think we have
a good head start and hope you agree.
|
| Please
take a look below at our Indian minerals, including some
rare and superb "arborescent" pentagonites! These are
some of the finest I have seen. |
| The
corundum specimens shown in the
PHOTOESSAY and GALLERIES are not for sale, but many similar
fine ones are. We shall soon have another section
devoted to these. In the future, we will show photos and
develop a detailed list of available specimens. I can send JPG's of
anything we have that you would like to see. We also are willing to assemble suites of
specimens according to your preferences. Just let me know by
email at <collector@corunduminium.com>
what you are interested in. |
|
| At this initial stage, over
1,000 corundum specimens, plus hundreds of specimens of other
minerals that will be available.
Below is a mere sample. As you
see, the specimens range from ugly to the finest
museum pieces. |
| I am not
able to take credit cards, but can take PayPal payment over
the Internet. Cash or bankable check is
preferable (though in some cases funds would have to clear
before shipment). We will ship by insured
Priority or First Class U.S. Mail anywhere in the U.S. for
the quoted price. Please contact us if you prefer
another destination or mode of delivery. |
| |
|
MINERALS OF INDIA
[Work in progress; locality
data, other details to follow (8/11/05)] |
|
The Deccan Plateau is known for basaltic lava flows which
contain pockets often lined with zeolites and associated
minerals. Contractors excavating primarily for road
gravels have learned how to detect and exploit these
pockets; and the results are some of the World's most
fascinating specimens. |
 |
|
Cavansite: Huge (relatively
speaking) ball of radiating terminated crystals,
slightly more than one inch in diameter, from the Wagholi Mine, Poona,
India. [#41; $1,150] |
|
| Pentagonite: "Arborescent" cluster
of terminated crystals of this variant of cavansite - an
extreme rarity! Height of the cluster is
approx 1-3/8 inches. [#42; $2,650] |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Calcite stalactite, approx. 5-1/2 inches
long. Highly translucent to gemmy. It is
"missing" one radiating crystal, but unless you look
closely you would never know where it was attached.
[#24; $400] |
|
| This 7 inch long drusy quartz stalactite is peppered
with tabular crystals of stilbite - and it shows no dings!
[#1; $450] |
|
 |
|
 |
|
"Green stilbite". This rarity
is probably colored by chlorite inclusions.
Diameter of cluster is approx. 3 inches. |
|
| Prehnite with apophyllite. This network of
pale green prehnite (pseudomorph
after laumontite?) has numerous attachments of white
apophyllite (the sharp rectangular solids). Diameter
of the specimen is approx. 4 inches.
[#9; $375] |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Powellite on scolecite.
Well-formed powellite crystal approx. 1/2 inch on an
edge, in radiating crystals of scolecite - a great
rarity! Specimen diameter is approx. 2-1/2
inches. [#8; $850] |
|
| Green calcite (new find - only a few
decent specimens in existence). Lovely, pale green
cluster of completely terminated crystals approx. 3
inches long by 2 inches deep by 1-3/4 inches high.
[#12; $850] |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Chalcedony with stilbite. This
aesthetic specimen of icy clear chalcedony and
salmon-colored stilbite crystals is one of my favorites.
It stands about 2-1/4 inches high. [#6; $500] |
|
| Apophyllite. This is a superb
specimen from a recent find. Gem crystals of this
habit and rich lime green color are quite rare.
Many on this 5 inch long specimen are "water clear"!
[#25; $2,950] |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Apophyllite and Stilbite. This
5-3/4 inch long specimen has numerous tabular green
apophyllite crystals competing for space with pinkish
orange stilbite crystals. [#15; $750] |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Himalayan Corundums |
|
| Hunza Valley, Pakistan:
Purple sapphire DTXLs in matrix, translucent to gemmy,
euhedral, mirror faces, thumbnail to about 2" diameter
matrix ($20-$250) (rare until last year, but recently
they are becoming more common). Jegdalek, Afghanistan: Ruby XLs in white calcite
(classical material, recently found).
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Chumar Mine, Ganesh Himal, Nepal: The Chumar Mine, developed around 1980,
produced very little material, but its best specimens are among the
finest crystalline clusters in the World. We have a few recent
specimens available, from micros to a 1" cluster (right), and a few
larger matrix specimens ($5-$500).
The northeastern Taplejung region of
Nepal is beginning to produce
interesting pale to medium blue sapphires ($25-$200). |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| |
 |
Karnataka (Mysore) Province occasionally produces
very large ruby crystals. Some are opaque brownish red; but a
new discovery produced subtranslucent "wine purple" crystals (see
also photoessay). A few of these extremely rare monsters (from about 5 to 16-1/2
pounds - see left) are available ($1500-$10,000). Tapered star rubies, domed
to show asterism, but not of great color, are common ($5 -$20). |
|
 |
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
A few "watermelon
rubies", nodules of a blue mineral of as yet unknown
composition containing ruby corundum, were found in fuchsite schist
($10 - $500). I have occasionally seen this material
alleged to have originated in Tanzania, but am unaware of any
deposit there. |
|
| |
| Sri Lankan Corundum |
| |
Small crystals, mostly gemmy pale to medium
blue or pale yellow, but a few with "fancy" colors - nothing
really great here to spare ($20-$100). |
|
|
|
| |
| Burmese Corundum |
| |
From entire lots or collections of Burmese
material (from various localities in Mogok, Mong Hsu, etc.)
purchased, there are many interesting ruby and sapphire
specimens. Most are attractive, and some are higher end -
something for everybody wanting Burmese corundum! Prices range
from $10 to $10,000. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Brazil |
|
|
 |
|
Though noted for its spectacular
minerals, Brazil is not a well-known corundum source. Two mines
produced fine cab grade ruby and sapphire; and the miner of both saved the
best crystals, which we were able to purchase for the collection.
Needless to say, these are rare. Sapphires are about $2 per gram;
rubies (not as nice habit, but superior as rough), about $10 per gram. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
| Dark green emeralds
are perhaps Brazil's most highly regarded gemstone, and years ago I stumbled
across some huge ones! The largest single crystal (left) is the size
of a spray paint can, and is slightly translucent (the smaller broken and
healed interpenetrant twin is totally translucent)! The plate (right)
is approximately 12" by 15", and most of the crystals show rich color and
good translucency. Several other interesting but less expensive pieces
are also available. |
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
| Miscellaneous |
|
|
| There are other individual
specimens and lots (corundum) from diverse localities; fluorites (Medoc,
Ontario; China), some cabinet celestites (a geode of water clear crystals
from Madagascar, and a trio of U.S. with three different habits);
tourmalines, arborescent silver micros and thumbnails (mainly, Zacatecas;
but a few minor Kongsbergs); and a few hundred "rock shop front bin"
quartzes, garnets,... . Inquire. |
|
|
| |
The only thing at this time is the Indian
carving of the "Ganesha" illustrated in the photoessay (which weighs about
45 lbs.; for $10,000, which works out to about ten cents a carat); but
arrangements are being made with my foreign colleagues for some interesting
and outrageous minerals. See also "LINKS" for items offered directly;
and keep your eye on this page for updates. |
|
