We are looking forward to featuring fluorapatite crystals from near Lake Baikal in May, and the typical size for Deluxe members is between about 2" to 3" long by about 1" to 2" wide. These are single crystals, without matrix. We also obtained about 20 larger specimens, up to about 3" to 4" long and 2" to 3" wide. If any Club members would like to upgrade to this larger size, like that shown in the photo to the right, Deluxe Club members may upgrade for an additional $12 and Junior members for an additional $27.50. (Junior size specimens average about 1" long by ¼" to ½" wide.)

LODESTONE This month’s write-up was especially fascinating, with so much information on the magnetic properties of magnetite, that we had to make some lodestone available for Club members. These will attract paperclips and small metal objects to them. We have some chunk-size pieces from about 2" by 1½" to 2" by 2" for $3.50 or 2 for $6, or if you need a quantity for friends, relatives, or students, we have flats with 35 pieces for $70.

SPINEL The write-up also mentioned that magnetite is a member of the spinel mineral group. Well, we have a few nice spinel crystals left from when we featured it in September 2000 if newer Club members would like to have one. These are small sharp gemmy red octahedral crystals on a white marble matrix– a nice contrast. We have pieces of white matrix up to 2" by 2" with very small crystals about 1mm across for $3 (you can see the crystals nicely if you have your 10x loupe.) And we have sharp ocatehedrons about 1/8" across on matrix up to about 2" by 2" for $16.

"CACTUS QUARTZ," "SPIRIT QUARTZ" One of the most exciting new finds on the scene this year in Tucson comes from Magelisburg Mountain, N.E. Pretoria, South Africa. It was being called "Cactus Quartz" and "Spirit Quartz." What makes this find unique is that almost every quartz crystal, some of which are the amethyst and citrine varieties, is covered with drusy quartz that is growing out off the larger crystal. It’s a most striking combination, and we didn’t get any in Tucson because the price seemed unreasonably high. But one of our suppliers supplied us a nice supply with fair prices, and we’re glad to offer it to you. We would love to feature this in our Club, but it seems unlikely we can get enough quality prices in our price range– we’ll see! In the meantime, we have single crystals up to 2" long and ¾" wide for $10, larger single crystals up to 3" for $18, and one up to 3¾" for $28. We also have clusters of several crystals up to 2" by 2" across for $18, and clusters up to 3¼" by 2" for $30. All are mostly covered in drusy quartz.

STILL AVAILABLE! GRAPHITE specimens, from a classic locality, the Plumbago Mine, Seathwaite, Lake District, England. We have small chunks of pure graphite up to 1½" by 2" for $7; a few medium-size pieces up to 2½" by 2½" for $12, and large pieces up to 2" by 3½" for $16. We have only a few of the medium and large sizes, but will try to get more if needed. ANTHRACITE COAL We also have dirty chunks of carbon in the form of anthracite coal from Lackawanna County, Pennyslvania. Small chunks up to about 2" by 2" are available for $4 and larger chunks to 3" by 4" are $6.

CALCITE AND COLEMANITE FROM BORON In the mad rush at the end of last month, we forgot to tell you that we picked up some very nice specimens of colemanite mixed with yellow calcite crystals while we were out at Boron. These make for a very pretty combination. We have specimens up to about 1½" by 2" for $7, and Deluxe-size specimens up to 2" by 3" for $20.

NATIVE ANTIMONY FROM QUEBEC, CANADA This is the element antimony in its native state, as very small gray crystals on matrix, from the Lac Nicole Antimony Mine, South Ham township, Quebec, Canada. We have small pieces mounted in 1" by 1" plastic thumbnail cases for $5, small pieces up to about 1¾" by 1½" for $8, and a few large pieces up to 3" by 2" for $15.

About 5" high, 3½" diameter, with crystals jutting out in every direction $90

Same as above, only shorter (about 4" high) and fatter (about 4" wide) $90

An especially cool piece that consists of two stalactites, side by side, at about a 45N angle from where it was connected $90

CREEDITE FROM DURANGO, MEXICO, OUR OCTOBER 1999 FEATURED MINERAL One of the most unusual and striking minerals we’ve featured! We picked up a small lot of clusters of radiating crystals, most colored brown by inclusions, in pieces up to about 3" by 2" for $20. New Club members, don’t miss out on these beauties!

TOPAZ CRYSTALS FROM MYANMAR We were especially excited to pick up these wonderful crystals in Tucson! We picked out some colorless crystals with sharp faces and good terminations up to 1¾" high by 1" wide for $60; and some of the same size with a slight champagne color for $80

LAZULITE FROM RAPID CREEK, YUKON, CANADA This was probably the most outstanding buy we made at the show. We traded beads for these magnificent specimens of the rare phosphate mineral lazulite. Each specimen has a number of intensely beautiful blue lazulite crystals up to about ¼" with other rare phosphate minerals and quartz on matrix pieces about 4" by 3" to 4" by 4". Each piece is exceptional, and being rare, these are a little pricey, with the price ranging from $74 up to $160. If you are interested, tell us what you would like to spend, and we’ll pick out the most beautiful piece in your price range. A Club member who ordered one said of it: "WOW! The Lazulite piece is exquisite - a most beautiful depth of blue, as well as an interesting lighter shade."

CITRINE FROM MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL, OUR FEBRUARY 2000 FEATURED MINERAL These crystals have nice, natural, orangish-brown color, and are in size about halfway between what we sent to Junior and Deluxe members, for $13. We also have a few Junior-size citrine crystals for $8.

RETICULATED RUTILE TWINS ON HEMATITE This was something we had not seen before, metallic gray twinned rutile crystals, oriented on hematite, from Itamarandiba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. These are not as beautiful as some of the minerals mentioned above, but are fascinating in their own way! We have smaller pieces up to 2" by 1½" for $25, and one large piece about 4" by 2½" for $80.