Crystals & Minerals

Rutile from Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil is a particularly good locality for collector-quality rutile. It is quite different in appearance from the familiar golden rutile needles included in quartz.

Diamantina rutile is commonly found as well-developed, elongated tetragonal crystals with very strong luster. The colour can range from reddish-brown to a very dark wine-red or blood-red, sometimes appearing almost black until the crystal is placed in strong transmitted light. This deep red colour is a characteristic noted specifically for rutile from the Diamantina area and has been associated with relatively higher iron content

Name: Rutile
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions: 20x6x4 mm (Box 33x33 mm / 1.4x1.3x1.3 Inches)
Weight:  11.4 Grams / 0.4 Ounces  (including Box)
Origin:  Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil 

This Diopside specimen, collected in 2002, is from the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources), Québec, which is a classic Canadian mineral locality. The crystals are typically green to pale green, colorless or grayish-green, and can be quite transparent and glassy. They commonly occur as slender prismatic or very flat, blade-like crystals, sometimes with strong vertical striations. Some of the Jeffrey Mine diopside is particularly attractive because the crystals are transparent and sharply formed. 

Diopside is especially interesting at Jeffrey Mine because it occurs with other well-known minerals from the locality, particularly grossular garnet, vesuvianite, prehnite and wollastonite. Diopside specimens from the mine are now increasingly difficult to obtain, since the Jeffrey Quarry is closed.

Name: Diopside 
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions: 27x7x5 mm / 1.1x0.3x0.2 inches
Weight:   2.8 grams / 0.1 Ounces
Origin: Mined at Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Québec, Canada

This specimen of violet manganoan Vesuvianite was collected in the now closed Jeffery Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources), Québec, Canada. This thumbnail specimen features a cluster of lustrous, intergrown Vesuvianite crystals displaying attractive shades of pink, purple and warm salmon-orange. Fine striations are visible on many of the crystal faces, and the specimen has good colour and visual interest from both sides. 

The Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Quebec, is a classic Canadian locality known for producing Vesuvianite in a remarkable range of colours, including pink, purple, green and multicoloured crystals. Now closed, the mine remains an important source of collectible mineral specimens. This is an attractive example of the colourful Vesuvianite from this well-known locality.  A great addition to any collection!

Name: Vesuvianite Crystal 
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions: 22x15x13 mm / 0.9x0.6x0.5 inches 
Weight: 3.16 grams /  0.1 ounces
Origin: Mined in Jeffery Mine, Asbestos, Québec, Canada

Green tourmaline from the Santa Rosa Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is attractive collector material known for its rich green colour, lustrous crystal faces and well-defined, strongly striated crystals. The Santa Rosa Mine is a well-known Brazilian tourmaline locality and has produced a variety of tourmaline compositions and colours. This tourmaline specimen has not been treated in any way, it is 100% natural.

It is believed that Tourmaline can be used to repel negativity.  It is said to enhance one's physical wellbeing by providing an increase in physical vitality, emotional stability, and intellectual acuity. 

Product Type: Tourmaline 
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions:  24.8x10x8mm
Weight:  4.3 grams | 22 ct 
Origin: Santa Rosa Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Russia is the classic locality for uvarovite, and the Saranovskii Mine in the Middle Urals is its type locality.  Uvarovite's most desirable colour is a rich emerald or chrome green, often with a very attractive sparkling appearance. Unlike many garnets, however, uvarovite almost never occurs as large individual crystals. It is usually found as tiny, sharply formed crystals covering the surface of a chromite matrix, producing what mineral collectors call a uvarovite druse.

Name:  Uvarovite
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized  
Dimensions:  51x30x6 mm / 2.0x1.2x0.2 inches 
Weight:  24.3 grams / 0.8 ounces
Origin: Mined in Saranovskii Mine, Ural Mountains, Russia

This is a collect of beautiful, thumbnail sized mineral specimens.  These rare, premium specimens will be protected in individual display boxes that measure 28x28x21 mm (1x1x7/8 inches).

Mined in various locations as follows: (thumbnail size)

• Cuprite - Daye Mine, Hubei Prov. China
• Autunite - Daybreak Mine, Spokane County, Washington USA
• Scholzite - Reaphook Hill Deposit, Blinman, S. Australia
• Smithite Realgar - Lengenbach Quarry, Binntal, Valais, Switzerland

Apophyllite and prehnite are beautiful minerals that are often found together in attractive mineral specimens. Apophyllite is known for its clear, white, pale green, or sometimes pink, glass-like crystals that often form sharp pyramidal or prismatic shapes.  Prehnite is typically pale green to yellow-green and is commonly found in rounded, grape-like formations called botryoidal aggregates. 

Apophyllite is believed to promote self-reflection and authentic self-expression, helping to reduce stress, release mental blockages, and overcome anxiety by revealing truth and facilitating the release of suppressed emotions. Prehnite is considered a stone of unconditional love, known for its healing properties, especially for healers, and is thought to bring harmony to spaces, assist in decluttering, and create a healing sanctuary, particularly when used in gardens.

Name: Apophyllite and Prehnite Cluster Crystal
Specimen Size:  Cabinet-Sized
Dimensions: 65x58x49 mm / 2.6x2.3x1.9 inches
Weight: 86 Grams / 3 Ounces
Origin: Mined in Mumbai (Bombay), India

Quartz crystals are among the most abundant and well-known minerals on Earth. It belongs to the hexagonal crystal system, and typically forms six-sided prismatic crystals with a pointed termination. Its crystals can be colorless or exhibit a wide range of colors. The color variations are often due to the presence of impurities or trace elements during the crystal's formation. Quartz is transparent to translucent. 

Phantom quartz is a variety of quartz, or "rock crystal", that forms over pre-existing crystals. The included crystal is visible due to some variation in composition making the boundary of the included crystal visible. Such crystals display the outlines of numerous smaller crystals, known as phantoms.  Great crystal to acquire.

Prehnite can form prismatic, tabular, or pyramidal crystals, but usually occurs in botryoidal, reniform, stalactitic, granular, or compact habits.  It is usually green in colour, but may be white, colourless, yellow, or gray.  It has a colourless streak.  Prehnite is transparent to translucent, with a vitreous to pearly luster.  It forms in cavities in basaltic lavas.

Prehnite is said to be a stone of unconditional love and the crystal to heal the healer. Placing it in the garden is believed to help make a home into a healing sanctuary and teach one how to be in harmony with nature. A good Fung Shui stone, prehnite is said to be helpful for decluttering, helping one let go of possessions no longer needed.

Name: Prehnite Crystal Cluster
Specimen Size:  Cabinet-Sized
Dimensions: 75x40x29 mm / 2.9x1.6x1.1 inches
Weight: 94 Grams / 3.3 Ounces
Origin: Mined in Mumbai (Bombay), India

Prehnite is a green to yellowish-green colored mineral that belongs to the phyllosilicate family. It is composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicate, with traces of iron, magnesium, and other elements. Prehnite crystals have a unique pearly luster and can form in a variety of shapes, including tabular, prismatic, and stalactitic formations.

Prehnite is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and emotions, promoting relaxation and inner peace. It is also said to be a stone of unconditional love, compassion, and healing.

Name: Prehnite and Graphite Crystal Clusters (3 Piece Lot)
Specimen Size:   Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions: 17x15x9 - 20x18x13 mm / 0.7x0.6x0.3 - 0.8x0.7x0.5 inches
Weight: 13.4 Grams (Total) / 0.47 Ounces (Total)
Origin: Mined in Merelani Hills, Arusha, Tanzania