Minerals

You will receive this 11 piece lot of raw Tanzanite.  Tanzanite is renowned for its intense blue and violet colors, but can it also be golden, green, lilac and peacock (blue and green). The sole source of tanzanite is the Merelani Hills in northern Tanzania. Discovered in the 1960s, tanzanite is considered rarer than diamonds due to its single-source origin. The mines in Tanzania are exhaustible, adding to the gemstone's allure.

With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite is relatively soft compared to some other gemstones. As a result, it requires gentle care to prevent scratches or damage.

Tanzanite is believed to aide with spiritual awareness, insight, and communication. Some attribute it with calming energies and the ability to enhance psychic abilities.

Product Type:  Raw Tanzanite (untreated)
Approx Weight (per Lot):  30.4 grams / 152ct 
Origin: Tanzania

This is a specimen of Star Mica or Muscovite and Quartz cluster.  These clusters show crystals that grow in sheets or book formations.  It is silvery gold with good transparency when held up to the light.  The name Muscovite comes from the term Muscovy Glass which was a name for the thick sheets of Mica used as a substitute for glass Russia. The name Mica is derived from the Greek word that means to split.

On this nice specimen, the matrix faces are covered with beautiful golden yellow point stars of muscovite mica, a typical shape for this rare mica formation. The stars are the result of twinning; the points show a bit of wear but this does not detract from the beauty of such a piece.

Name: Star Mica - Muscovite with Quartz  
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized  
Dimensions:  51x24x36 mm / 2.0x0.9x1.4 inches  
Weight:  43.7 Grams / 1.5 ounces  
Origin: Mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil 

This is a specimen of Star Mica or Muscovite and Quartz cluster.  These clusters show crystals that grow in sheets or book formations.  It is silvery gold with good transparency when held up to the light.  The name Muscovite comes from the term Muscovy Glass which was a name for the thick sheets of Mica used as a substitute for glass Russia. The name Mica is derived from the Greek word that means to split.

On this nice specimen, the matrix faces are covered with beautiful golden yellow point stars of muscovite mica, a typical shape for this rare mica formation. The stars are the result of twinning; the points show a bit of wear but this does not detract from the beauty of such a piece.

Name: Star Mica - Muscovite 
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized  
Dimensions:  34x25x20 mm / 1.3x1.0x0.8 inches  
Weight:  13.5 Grams / 0.5 ounces  
Origin: Mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil  

This is a specimen of Star Mica or Muscovite and Quartz cluster.  These clusters show crystals that grow in sheets or book formations.  It is silvery gold with good transparency when held up to the light.  The name Muscovite comes from the term Muscovy Glass which was a name for the thick sheets of Mica used as a substitute for glass Russia. The name Mica is derived from the Greek word that means to split.

On this nice specimen, the matrix faces are covered with beautiful golden yellow point stars of muscovite mica, a typical shape for this rare mica formation. The stars are the result of twinning; the points show a bit of wear but this does not detract from the beauty of such a piece.

Name: Star Mica - Muscovite with Quartz  
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized  
Dimensions:  49x43x27 mm / 1.9x1.7x1.1 inches  
Weight:  43.2 Grams / 1.5 ounces  
Origin: Mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil  

Sodalite is usually found in the massive form, rather than crystals. Its name is derived from its sodium content. This stone is frequently found with lapis lazuli, but contains little or no golden pyrite specks in it as lapis does. It may, however, contain patches or streaks of white calcite. Although some people think that sodalite resembles lapis in some ways, it is entirely different in chemical composition and has more of a navy blue coloring.

Would be a beautiful addition to any new or existing collection.

Name:  Sodalite
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized  
Dimensions:  45x41x42 mm / 1.8x1.6x1.6 inches  
Weight:  70.9 Grams / 2.5 Ounces  
Origin:  Mined in Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

This is natural pink Elbaite Tourmaline from Mineral Gerais, Brazil.  It is a thumbnail specimen that measures 21.8x3mm and has a weight of 1.9ct.  The tourmaline 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 Name: Tourmaline Crystal
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail Sized
Dimensions:  21.8x3.mm
Weight:  1.9ct
Origin: Mined in Morro Redondo Mine pegmatite, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Pseudomorphs are mineral specimens that have the external shape of one mineral but are composed of another.  The pseudomorph goethite after marcasite forms when marcasite is exposed to oxidizing conditions and starts to oxidize and break down. As the marcasite breaks down, goethite replaces it in the crystal structure, preserving the shape of the original marcasite crystal. The resulting specimen appears as a marcasite crystal, but is actually composed of goethite.

The Farafra Oasis, in the White Desert, has been known for a number of years to deliver incredible pseudomorph specimens. The pseudomorphs occur within the Cretaceous Khoman Chalk, from which the White Desert derives its name.

These specimens are remarkable for their relatively sharp marcasite crystal forms in aesthetic crystal clusters. They are in excellent condition.  This collector's specimen is unique, of great quality and ready for display.

Name: Goethite After Marcasite Pseudomorph
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized Specimen
Dimensions:  30x27x22  mm / 1.2x1.1x0.9 inches
Weight: 27 grams / 1 ounces
Origin: Found in White Desert, Farafra Oasis, Egypt

This is natural rough tourmaline from Glastonbury, Connecticut.  The thumbnail specimen measures 6x3mm and has a weight of 10.4 grams. This green tourmaline crystal will come protected in a Perky Box.

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. 

Name:  Tourmaline
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized  
Dimensions:   Specimen 6x3 mm
                        Specimen Box 33x33 mm / 1.3x1.3 inches  
Weight:  10.4 Grams / 0.4 Ounces (including box)  
Origin: Mined in Brack Prospect, Glastonbury, Connecticut

A pseudomorph occurs when one mineral replaces another but retains the original mineral's crystal structure. In the case of turquoise after apatite pseudomorph, turquoise  replaces apatite, but it still retains apatite's crystal shape.

This process leads to a visually fascinating specimen where the exterior shape looks like apatite crystals, but the composition and color are distinctly turquoise, often with the bright blue or green shades typical of turquoise.

Name:  Pseudomorph Turquoise After Apatite
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized  
Dimensions:   Specimen 13x10 mm / 0.5x0.4 inches  
                        Specimen Box 33x33 mm / 1.3x1.3 inches  
Weight:  11.7 Grams / 0.4 Ounces (including box)  
Origin: Mined in Baviacora Mine, Sonora, Mexico