Minerals

Iceland Spar, also known as optical calcite, is a clear, transparent variety of calcite famous for its unique optical property called double refraction. When you place the crystal over text or an image, it appears doubled — a visual effect that occurs because light splits into two rays as it passes through the crystal. This fascinating trait made Iceland spar historically important in early optical instruments and scientific studies, including navigation and the development of polarizing microscopes.

It’s typically colorless or very lightly tinted and forms naturally in sharp, rhombohedral shapes. High-quality Iceland spar is most famously found in Iceland, though it also occurs in places like Mexico, the U.S., and China.

Iceland Spar (optical calcite) is often associated with clarity, insight, and truth. Because of its double refraction property, some see it as a symbol of seeing beyond surface appearances — helping to highlight different perspectives or reveal hidden aspects of a situation. It's thought to support clear thinking and honest communication, making it a favorite for meditation or decision-making spaces.

Name: Iceland Spar Optical Calcite
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized
Dimensions: 30x27x25 mm / 1.2x1.1x1.0 inches 
Weight: 44 Grams / 1.5 Ounces
Origin: Guangxi Province, China

This is a well-formed albite that shows very well with its white cubic shiny crystal and good luster and translucence on top of a block of orthoclase crystal. This old collection specimen comes mounted in a Perky display box.

Product Name: Natural Albite on Orthoclase Crystal  
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized  
Dimensions: 36x34x34 mm / 1.4x1.3x1.3 inches Box  
Weight:  11.35 Grams / 0.4 Ounces (including Box)   
Origin: Mined in Ossipee, Carroll County, New Hampshire

Gormanite is a rare phosphate mineral best known for its striking blue to greenish-blue color, often forming as fibrous or radiating crystal clusters. It was first discovered in Yukon, Canada, and is named after Canadian mineralogist Don Gorman. 

Due to its rarity and delicate crystal habit, gormanite is primarily of interest to collectors and mineral enthusiasts. Well-formed specimens are appreciated for their intense color, silky luster, and often intricate, fibrous formations. Gormanite is relatively soft (around 4.5–5 on the Mohs scale) and fragile, so it's best suited for display rather than handling.

Name:  Gormanite
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized  
Dimensions:  33x33 mm / 1.3x1.3 inches (including box) 
Weight:  11.8 grams / 0.4 Ounces (including box)
Origin: Mined in Galilea, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Grossular garnets are a variety of garnet known for their diverse range of colors, transparency, and wide occurrence across different geological settings. The grossular garnet specimens from Lake Jaco, Chihuahua, Mexico are renowned for their classic crystal shape and attractive yellow-green coloration.  These particular clusters are beautiful and intricate formations.

Garnets are believed to have properties associated with vitality, courage, and creativity. They are thought to bring balance and stability.

Name: Grossular Garnet Crystal Cluster
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized
Dimensions: 41x28x27 mm / 1.6x1.1x1.1 inches 
Weight:   38.8 grams / 1.4 Ounces
Origin: Lake Jaco, Mexico

Howlite was discovered near Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1868 and named after Henry How, a Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist.  It often forms in nodules which resemble cauliflower heads. The nodules are opaque, white with gray or black veins, often showing web-like pattern. 

Howlite is said to be an extremely calming stone, it can be an excellent antidote to insomnia.  It is also said that Howlite teaches patience and helps to eliminate anger and strengthens positive character traits.  

Name:  Howlite on Matrix
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized  
Dimensions:   Specimen 30x26 mm / 1.2x1.0 inches
                        Specimen Box 33x33 mm / 1.3x1.3 inches  
Weight:  17.5 Grams / 0.6 Ounces (including box)  
Origin: Mined in Fishells Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

This is an interesting matrix comprised of Azurite and Quartz zones from Conception del Oro, Mexico.   The specimen displays beautiful azurite that forms on the surface as small crystals and shows some patches of quartz crystals. It is in very good condition. 

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

Name: Azurite on Matrix 
Specimen Size:   Miniature-Sized
Dimensions:   53x44x31mm / 2.1x1.7x1.2 inches
Weight: 70.4 Grams / 2.5 Ounces
Origin: Mined in Conception del Oro, Mexico

Grossular garnets are a variety of garnet known for their diverse range of colors, transparency, and wide occurrence across different geological settings. The grossular garnet specimens from Lake Jaco, Chihuahua, Mexico are renowned for their classic crystal shape and attractive yellow-green coloration.  These particular clusters are beautiful and intricate formations.

Garnets are believed to have properties associated with vitality, courage, and creativity. They are thought to bring balance and stability.

Name: Grossular Garnet Crystal Cluster
Specimen Size:  Miniature-Sized
Dimensions: 38x37x34 mm / 1.5x1.5x1.3 inches 
Weight:   60.9 grams / 2.1 Ounces
Origin: Lake Jaco, Mexico

This is a sculpted plate of Limonite after Pyrite.  Limonite after pyrite is a type of pseudomorph, meaning limonite has replaced the original pyrite crystal structure while keeping its shape. This occurs when pyrite oxidizes over time, often in the presence of water and oxygen, transforming into limonite, a mixture of hydrated iron oxides. The result is a rusty brown to yellowish mineral that retains pyrite’s cubic or pyritohedral shape but with a softer, earthy texture.

It believed that limonite after pyrite combines pyrite’s energy of strength and manifestation with limonite’s grounding and protective qualities. It is sometimes associated with stability, resilience, and transformation, symbolizing the ability to adapt and grow through life’s changes.

This is a great thumbnail sized Limonite after Pyrite pseudomorph specimen from Spain.

Name: Limonite after Pyrite Cluster
Specimen Size:  Thumbnail-Sized
Dimensions: 25x15x7 mm / 1.0x0.6x0.3 inches
Weight: 3.09 Grams / 0.1 oz
Origin: Mined in Carratraca, Spain

Serpentinite is a rock composed of one or more serpentine group minerals and is named after the Latin word "serpens" meaning a serpent, alluding to the appearance of snake skin.  Minerals in this group are rich in magnesium and water and are light to dark green. They are formed by serpentinization, a hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle. 

Serpentinite is thought to aid in grounding, protection, and clearing negative energy. It is believed to help with emotional resilience and spiritual transformation, making it a favored stone for balancing energy and navigating life changes. 

Product Type: Serpentinite
Dimensions:  31x31x27 mm / 1.2x1.2x1.1 inches  
Weight:  22 grams / 0.8  ounces
Origin: Bazhenovskoe Mine, Russia

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: 43x33x26 mm / 1.7x1.3x1.0 inches  
Weight:  41.69 Grams / 1.5 Ounces  
Origin:  Mined in Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada