Dravite Tourmaline Crystal, Tanzania

Beautiful MALACHITE specimen in botryoidal form. Rich, green color. This piece glistens in the light. Collected in the 1990’s from the Mashamba West Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the collection of Roger Maynard, Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey in New Mexico.

MALACHITE is a copper carbonate mineral, frequently found with Azurite. It occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. Malachite is a banded light and dark green crystal with a dull and silky luster. Its various crystal habits include massive forms that are botryoidal, stalactitic or globular. The crystals are fibrous and are frequently found as pseudomorphs of Azurite. Malachite is very popular mineral among collectors and lapidary and jewelry artists. It belongs to the Monoclinic Crystal System. Hardness is 3.5 – 4 on the Mohs’s scale.

Metaphysical properties: Malachite is an important protection stone. It absorbs negative energies and pollutants. Malachite is an extremely versatile healing stone. Malachite lowers blood pressure and treats asthma, epilepsy, fractures, swollen joints, growths, travel sickness, vertigo, and tumors. It enhances the immune system. Malachite can assist in restoring strength and vitality after illness and in rebuilding or repairing tissue after surgery.

Location: Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi mining district, Lualaba, Democratic Republic of Congo

Specimen size: 4.5 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches

Specimen weight: 235 grams (8.3 ounces)

Aragonite Crystals, Morocco

Andradite (Melanite) Garnet Cluster, Mali

Cluster of emerald-green DIOPTASE crystals with white Calcite crystals. The largest dioptase crystal is 0.4 inches long. Luster is adamantine. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the famous TSUMEB Mine in Namibia.

At least 30 individual, emerald-green DIOPTASE crystals sprinkled on a Dolomite matrix. The largest dioptase crystal is 0.3 inches long. Luster is adamantine. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the famous TSUMEB Mine in Namibia. From the collection of Kim Cathcart.

Cluster of large emerald-green DIOPTASE crystals on matrix. The two largest dioptase crystals are 0.5 inches long. Luster is adamantine. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the famous TSUMEB Mine in Namibia. Custom base. Minor white Calcite crystals are sprinkled over the specimen.

Prehnite & Epidote, Mali

Olmite

Kalahari Manganese Fields 

Northern Cape Province South Africa  6 x 4.5 x 4 cm

Rocky Mountain Gems and Minerals 

Cluster of large emerald-green Dioptase crystals on matrix. The two largest dioptase crystals are 0.9 inches long. Luster is vitreous. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the Kaokoveld plateau in Namibia.

MOSASAURUS Tooth with sharp edges, good tip. The bottom provides a good view of the enamel. This tooth is from late Cretaceous age, about 70 million years ago. Length is 1.6 inches. Slight wear on both edges.

Beautiful cluster of green TSAVORITE which is a variety of GROSSULAR (Garnet). The translucent Tsavorite crystals are on a matrix of silvery Graphite. The largest Tsavorite crystal is 0.4 inches. Green color is from traces of chromium. Luster is vitreous.  This specimen is from the type locality of Merelani Hills, Tanzania.

High quality MOSASAURUS Tooth with sharp edges, perfect tip. The bottom provides a good view of the enamel and dentin. This tooth is from late Cretaceous age, about 70 million years ago. Length is 1.8 inches. Slight wear on one edge.

A neat sample of Shattuckite from Kandesi in the Kaokoveld Plateau of Namibia.

Sturmanite, N’Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa

Yellow Prehnite crystal cluster from the Merelani Hills, Manyara Region, Tanzania.

Vanadinite from the small ‘Orange Crush’ Pocket, Mibladen, Khenifra Province, Morocco, mined in April of 2016. This pocket had orange to brownish-red crystals with a lustrous metallic chatoyancy, and uncommon stepped crystal form. The next Mineralogical Record is set to have an article about this exceptional, very small find.
​Measures 3.3 x 3 x 2.6 cm.