New Kunzite, Peridot and Lapis from Pakistan and Afghanistan
We just got in a shipment from Pakistan which includes some natural Kunzite (Spodumene) crystals. They range in size from 1/2 inch to 5 inches long and are colored pale pink, green, blue or colorless. They range in price from $5 to $200 depending on quality and size.
Also some small natural Peridot crystals and clusters, 1/2 inch to 2 inches across, priced from $5 to $60 each depending on quality.
We also got some new extra quality Lapis in various shapes including just plain tumbled.
New Hübnerite and Quartz specimens from Pasto Bueno, Peru
In a country of remote mines, the mines at Pasto Bueno are considered among the most remote. This mine has been mining tungsten in the form of Hübnerite (sometimes spelled huebnerite) since before the Second World War and few specimens had been saved because it was so hard to get to. When I went to Peru in the early 70s to chase minerals, this was one of the mines I visited. It was accessed via a 5 to 8 hour drive on a terrible dirt road from Quiruvilca, which was a town and a base metal mine at 14,000 feet up in the Andes. It had produced what many believe to be the best Hübnerite specimens ever found. Certainly many tons of fine specimens had been run through the crusher till I and other dealers arrived to save at least a few of them from the crusher. Since that time the mine has intermittently produced good specimens.
At the recent Tucson gem and mineral show one of my long term suppliers from Peru offered us a lot of about 100 specimens, some of which were very fine. The price that was named was much higher than I thought we could sell them for. I offered a very high price for two pieces from the lot that I wanted for my collection and made an offer on the rest of them, which the owner eventually decided to accept. They range in size from miniatures to a few generous sized cabinet specimens and range in price from a little less than $50 to several hundred dollars each depending on the size and perfection of the Hübnerite and the Quartz on the specimen.
New Layered Pyramids
We recently got from one of our Peruvian suppliers some nice layered stone pyramids. Each one is different, different materials on different layers. Approximately 2" - 2 1/2" square, your cost is $15 each.
New Kyanite and Diopside from Brazil
We recently got a new shipment of blue Kyanite and green Diopside from Brazil.
The blue Kyanite is from Barra de Salinas municipality, Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil and ranges in size from small single blades (1" - 4") to large decorator pieces (8" - 12") and in price from $6 to $200. We also are selling bags of loose blades of blue Kyanite for $20/pound.
The green Diopside is mostly smaller pieces (1 1/2" to 3") and is priced from $3 to $12.
The Diopside is from Ribeirão Das Folhas, Capelinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil which is the same locality as the black Kyanite we have been selling for a year or two.
Some of the black Kyanite we send out to have a dichroic coating applied to it. This is the same kind of process that is used for art glass and although it is not natural, people seem to like it.
