CLASSICS
Mineral Classics
Mineral classics are typically referred to species that are more uncommon, or localities that are highly desirable and are known to produce one or two major collector-grade minerals. Some of the mainstream "classics" are Dioptase from Tsumeb, Namibia, Azurites from Milpillas, Mexico, Rhodochrosites from the Sweet Home Mine, Colorado, Azurites from Bisbee, Arizona, and Coppers from Michigan. There are many more classic minerals and localities, all of which have been deemed desirable since the dawn of mineral collecting. These specimens and localities are typically sought after by connoisseurs, and the most refined, sophisticated and advanced collectors.
Calcite
The Jewel Pocket, Elmwood Mine
Carthage, Smith County,
Tennessee
8.8 x 9.4 x 6.1 cm
This world-famous Calcite is one of the greatest examples of the Calcite species of all time. This doubly terminated and perfectly twinned Calcite is truly a hallmark of the famed Jewel Pocket, which is where the finest examples of Calcite were recovered from the Elmwood Complex.
Private Collection
Primary Malachite on Shattuckite
Omaue Mine, Opuwo Rural,
Kunene Region,
Namibia
7.1 x 6.5 x 6.3 cm
This Namibian classic is one of the most visually intriguing and beautiful mineral specimens in the world. The luster of the Primary Malachite crystal coupled with the sparkling, deep blue Shattuckite and Quartz matrix creates an unbelievably striking appearance.
Private Collection
Vesuvianite
Jeffrey Mine, Val-des-Sources, Les Sources RCM, Estrie, Québec,
Canada
6.0 x 7.5 x 6.7 cm
The famed violet-capped Vesuvianites came from the Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources (formerly Asbestos), Québec. Opened in 1879 as a major chrysotile-asbestos operation, the mine ended up producing three of the greatest Vesuvianite specimens of all time, this being one of them.
Private Collection
Rhodochrosite
Good Luck Pocket, Sweet Home Mine, Detroit City Claim Block, Mount Bross, Alma Mining District, Park County, Colorado, USA
13.4 x 10.9 x 7.5 cm
This world-class Rhodochrosite specimen from the famous "Good Luck Pocket" is a true example of a mineral classic. The Rhodochrosites from the Sweet Home Mine are one of the most legendary minerals to collect, and are often one of the hardest things to obtain.
Private Collection
Dioptase on Calcite
Tsumeb Mine,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
15.4 x 15.1 x 8.8 cm
This large specimen features all of the most desirable qualities exhibited in world-class Dioptase specimens from the Tsumeb Mine. This specimen is one of the few examples that show clarity within the Dioptase crystals, as typically Dioptase is mostly opaque.
Private Collection
Red Beryl on Rhyolite
Wah Wah Mountains,
Beaver County,
Utah
7.5 x 6.8 x 6.5 cm
This is likely the most famous Red Beryl specimen in the world. The balance and aesthetic of this piece is otherworldly, as is the clarity, color and luster of the crystals. The qualities of the crystals, coupled with the once-in-a-lifetime aesthetic set the standard for the species.
Private Collection
Phosphophyllite
Unificada Mine, Cerro de Potosí (Cerro Rico), Potosí (Potosí Municipality), Tomás Frías Province, Potosí, Bolivia
4.6 x 5.7 x 3.9 cm
Phosphophyllite is regarded as a holy grail species for almost all collectors. The legendary status of these pieces is due to their neon green color, and their near-impossible to obtain nature. This extremely rare matrix specimen displays the color that collectors look for in a Phosphophyllite.
Private Collection
Rhodochrosite on Matrix
Uchucchacua Mine, Uchucchacua area,
Oyón District, Oyón Province,
Lima, Peru
5.0 x 7.3 x 3.9 cm
The clarity and luster of the crystals are significantly above other specimens that have circulated the high-end mineral market; these crystals glitter like gemstones. The color is also as good as it gets, with cherry-red colors that contrast beautifully against the glittering matrix.
Private Collection
Amazonite and Smoky Quartz
Chandelier Pocket, Sky Hawk Claim,
Florissant, Teller County,
Colorado, USA
7.7 x 6.6 x 4.2 cm
This specimen was considered the finest specimen recovered from the “Chandelier Pocket”, and was collected on July 13th, 2020 by Tim Dorris. This piece was formerly in the collection of Andrew K. Ford, and Frank Imbriacco III, and is now in an elite private collection.
Private Collection
Hematite on Magnesite with Uvite
Pomba pit, Serra das Éguas,
Brumado, Bahia,
Brazil
10.5 x 8.9 x 8.6 cm
The Hematites from Bahia, Brazil are one of the most coveted classics. This specimen showcases the best qualities of the find: a mirror-like Hematite crystal that is isolated on a contrasting Magnesite matrix, decorated beautifully with red Uvite crystals.
Private Collection
Kämmererite
Kop Krom Mine, Kop Daglari, Aşkale District, Erzurum Province,
Turkey
8.3 x 2.3 x 8.0 cm
Ideal Kämmererite specimens not only show rich, neon-violet Crystals, but gem-like clarity in the crystals. One of the rarest traits seen in the very best specimens is a bright, pink matrix that contrasts and frames the main crystals. This specimen is one of the finest of the species.
Private Collection
Celestite
Sakoany deposit, Katsepy Commune,
Mitsinjo District, Boeny,
Madagascar
12.2 x 15.8 x 13.0 cm
The most desirable Celestite specimens exhibit large crystals with window-like clarity and glassy luster. It is hard to come by perfectly intact examples exhibiting the ideal qualities, while also boasting ideal, pastel-blue colors. This specimen ranks in the top percentage of Celestites.
Private Collection
Rhodochrosite on Tetrahedrite
Graham's Pocket, Sweet Home Mine, Detroit City Claim Block, Mount Bross, Alma Mining District, Park County, Colorado, USA
8.6 x 8.4 x 5.5 cm
The Sweet Home Mine located in Alma, Colorado is perhaps one of the most iconic localities in the United States that produced collectible specimens. This piece exhibits the ideal cherry-red color, glassy luster and contrasting black Tetrahedrite matrix.
Private Collection
Willemite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
5.3 x 5.0 x 3.1 cm
Willemites from the Tsumeb Mine are one of the most desirable mineral classics. Tsumeb Willemites are rare, and have a unique appearance that makes them easy to recognize. This specimen shows the ideal glittering crystal spheres, with the perfect mint-olive green hue.
Private Collection
Smithsonite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
13.5 x 12.7 x 12.0 cm
Pink Smithsonites from the Tsumeb Mine are always a must-have for sophisticated collectors, especially when focusing on classic localities. This large, and perfectly undamaged Smithsonite exhibits both ideal colors, namely the bright pink, and the warm-orange hues.
Private Collection
Azurite on Matrix
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
7.5 x 6.3 x 7.0 cm
Azurite from the Tsumeb Mine is a renowned classic in the mineral collecting world. Operating since the early 1900s, thousands upon thousands of specimens have been recovered from this famous locality. However, very few show the desired transluscent, gem-blue color.
Private Collection
Crocoite in Matrix
Red Lead Mine, Dundas mineral field, Zeehan mining district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia
10.3 x 8.2 x 7.4 cm
This beautifully colored Crocoite specimen exhibits the best possible color, and the most ideal clarity and luster. Gem Crocoite in matrix is almost non-existent, and this piece is one of the few unicorns of the find. Exceptional Crocoites from Tasmania are regarded as true mineral classics.
Private Collection
Apophyllite with Scolecite
Jalgaon District, Nashik Division,
Maharashtra,
India
12.5 x 11.0 x 6.8 cm
Arguably the most famous combinations from India is the Apophyllite/Scolecite pairing. The mint-green Apophyllite against the stark white Scolecite creates a lovely appearance. This specimen shows the best qualities of both minerals, sparkling Scolecite, and glassy Apophyllite.
Private Collection
Hematite ps. after Magnetite
Payún Matrú volcano, Altiplano de Payún Matrú, Agua Escondida District, Malargüe Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina
9.1 x 14.0 x 7.5 cm
These specimens captivated the mineral collecting community due to their sparkling, lustrous appearance. The best examples of the find showed mirror-like luster, and large, isolated, skeletal crystals. This specimen is one of the finest specimens from the entire find.
Private Collection
Kämmererite
Kop Krom Mine, Kop Daglari, Aşkale District, Erzurum Province,
Turkey
7.9 x 8.6 x 6.5 cm
Finding a truly fine Kämmererite specimen is difficult, as there are few exceptional specimens. This example exhibits the finest qualities of the species, with hot pink and purple hues, and sharp, exposed crystals. This specimen was formerly in the collection of Gail and Jim Spann.
Private Collection
Rhodochrosite with Tetrahedrite
Tetrahedrite Raise, Sweet Home Mine, Detroit City Claim Block, Mount Bross, Alma Mining District, Park County, Colorado, USA
9.7 x 8.2 x 7.6 cm
The Sweet Home Mine located in Alma, Colorado is perhaps one of the most iconic localities in the United States that produced collectible specimens. This piece exhibits very rare spherical Tetrahedrites, and cubic Fluorites; one of which is vibrantly green.
Private Collection
Calcite var. Cobaltoan
Bou Azzer Mine, Ouisselsate Caïdat, Amerzgane Cercle, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
10.5 x 14.0 x 10.1 cm
Moroccan Cobaltoan Calcites are a classic in the world of high-end mineral collecting. These Calcites posses a color unlike anything else. The unique and striking color make this piece one of the most well-known and finest examples of the find.
Private Collection
Dioptase on Matrix
Kaokoveld Plateau,
Kunene Region,
Namibia
5.3 x 5.0 x 4.7 cm
The Kaokoveld Plateau in Namibia is known for producing some of the finest elongated Dioptase crystals in the world. This particular specimen is a competition level miniature, and shows a single, isolated crystal over an inch long perfectly positioned on matrix.
Private Collection
Calcite
Dalen-Kjørholt Mine, Brevik,
Porsgrunn, Telemark,
Norway
7.9 x 9.0 x 7.2 cm
This is one of the finest examples of Calcite ever recovered from Norway. The specimen exhibits the most ideal color and structure, and displays a remarkable and memorable aesthetic. The piece is recognized as "The Hedgehog", and showcases the finest qualities of the find.
Private Collection
Dioptase on Dolomite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
10.5 x 10.4 x 6.3 cm
Dioptase specimens from the Tsumeb Mine are by far the most famous find of the species, and this piece is a clear example why. The richly colored crystals with brilliant luster are desirable beyond measure, and the Dolomite matrix has a beautiful dusting of sparkling Calcite crystals.
Private Collection
Creedite
Akchatau Mine, Akshatau (Aqshatau), Shet District, Karaganda Region,
Kazakhstan
7.5 x 7.5 x 7.0 cm
Exceptional Creedites are a challenge to obtain. Finding consistently saturated crystals, with the correct coloration is a challenging task. This Creedite showcases the best qualities the locality has to offer, and was formerly in the collection of Desmond Sacco.
Private Collection
Dioptase on Calcite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region,
Namibia
7.5 x 7.4 x 7.6 cm
The most color combination seen on Tsumeb Dioptase specimens is the green on white; green Dioptase on white Calcite. The shocking contrast is highly desired amongst collectors, and this Dioptase shows that perfectly. These specimens are true mineral classics.
Private Collection
