A single gem quartz crystal with a natural thin break that looks as if it was run through a meat slicer. It has healed naturally and now resembles the mouth of a shark. Quartz does do some strange things. Acquired by Mr. Kidewell in 1962 from Ocus Stanley.

A superb double-sided old timer from the Tri-State district, one side shows very sharp and lustrous black sphalerite crystals with sparkling golden chalcopyrites on massive dolomite. The other shows more chalcopyrite on pearly crystals of dolomite. No attachment anywhere. Wonderful specimen from this classic district.

Bright green crystals of pyromorphite on a matrix with small milky quartz crystals. I first saw these at the Denver Show in 2010. The locality was just given as El Oro Province. There is partial coverage even on the underside of the specimen. This is the best one I have seen from there.

Deep red blocky crystals of crocoite act as a host for twinned pastel cerussites scattered in various areas of the specimen. Old timer from Tasmania, probably from the Comet Maestries mine, which was leased originally in 1988.

One of the strangest quartz specimens I have come across. Distorted, sceptered clear quartz crystals are overlapping milky quartz crystals creating white phantoms, with crystals growing in every direction and minor fluorite. Bizarre.

Hexagonal, medium purple crystals of coquimbite partially coated by matrix and minor iron staining. From the find of 2009.

A group of white bladed crystals of calcite sit half-way up the sides of very sharp and clear quartz crystals. Very aesthetic piece from this closed locality.

Brilliant and sharp wine colored spessartine crystals with books of muscovite, on a quartz matrix. Stunning display plate.

A new find just before the Tucson Show at a mine that had never really been worked for specimens. These new barites have the most incredible luster and tremendously sharp chiseled crystals to 2.3 cm (rare in Mexico where the habit tends to be tabular). They are completely transparent and run from a blue grey to yellow grey pastel colors. This one is yellowish grey. They make wonderful display specimens and were written up briefly in the newest Min. Rec. issue. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get the color accurately in the photo. To my knowledge, no more have been found.

A new find just before the Tucson Show at a mine that had never really been worked for specimens. These new barites have the most incredible luster and tremendously sharp chiseled crystals to 2.4 cm (rare in Mexico where the habit tends to be tabular). They are completely transparent and run from a blue grey to yellow grey pastel colors. This one is bluish grey. They make wonderful display specimens and were written up briefly in the newest Min. Rec. issue. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get the color accurately in the photo. To my knowledge, no more have been found.