AQUAMARINE is the sky-blue to sea-green gem variety of BERYL. This Aquamarine is blue in color, gemmy, and transparent. The specimen is terminated with excellent crystal structure. The sides are adamantine while the top is vitreous. There is minor Muscovite (Mica). This piece is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey in New Mexico.

Peach colored, translucent TOPAZ crystal. The terminated end is vitreous but all of the sides are adamantine. There is conchoidal fracturing on one side and the bottom. Topaz is the birthstone for November. This piece is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey in New Mexico.

Chalcopyrite and Siderite combo

Stunning color contrast of green Siderite “Blades” with golden Chalcopyrite crystals in this specimen. Several of the Siderite blades are at least 2-cm long. The luster of the Siderite is vitreous while the Chalcopyrite has a brilliant metallic luster.

Large Hessonite crystals with adamantine luster. Color is reddish-orange to brown. Largest Hessonite crystal is 4-cm long. Another is 2.7-cm. Minor Vesuvianite (green) in matrix.

Cluster of brilliant emerald-green Dioptase crystals on matrix. The largest dioptase crystal is 0.5 inches. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the type location for dioptase: Altyn-Tyube deposit, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.

ELBAITE crystal with a blue INDICOLITE cap. The blue cap is translucent. Luster is vitreous. The crystal is 1.0 inch in length. Albite is the small white spot on the crystal. This specimen is thumbnail size. ELBAITE is a member of the Tourmaline group. INDICOLITE is the blue variety of Elbaite.

This piece glitters! Stunning color contrast of green Siderite “Blades” with brassy iridescent Chalcopyrite, whitish Calcite, and gray Tetrahedrite crystals in this specimen. The green blades of Siderite in this piece are very rare! Several of the Siderite blades are at least 0.5 inch long. The Calcite crystals are flattened and translucent. The luster of the Siderite is vitreous while the Chalcopyrite and Tetrahedrite have a brilliant metallic luster.

Reddish-Orange ball of SPESSARTINE, a member of the GARNET Group. The ball lies on a terminated QUARTZ crystal with minor Muscovite and Albite.

Large, translucent SCHEELITE crystal with a contact twin. The largest face is 1.4 inches long. Brilliant golden-yellow color. It fluoresces blue under short wave UV light. The matrix is silvery MUSCOVITE. The specimen is from the famous Pingwu mine in China. Scheelite is a major ore for Tungsten. This specimen is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey.

Cluster of green PERIDOT crystals. Peridot is a green, gemmy variety of Forsterite (Olivine). The largest Peridot crystal is 1.1 inches in length. From Pakistan. Peridot is a highly desirable precious gemstone. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August and the 16th wedding anniversary gemstone. This piece is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and long-time geologist with the US Geological survey in New Mexico.

Sphalerite, Huanggang Mine, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China