Columbite
New Columbite specimens are currently available from Western
Australia. Recent deep mining undertaken by
us uncovered exceptional pieces. The mine
entrance was then covered up to make it safe and environmently stable. We have geological
mapped the mine so know where the best crystals were located. These specimens are the only pieces that will come
from this locality for a long time. A broad
range of columbite forms for all budgets are available on and off matrix. Do you have a columbite
specimen in your collection? Once you go
black, you never go back!
Crystal size: 61 x 26 x 13 mm and 47 x 20 x 12 mm Specimen size: 146 x 76 x 76 mm Specimen weight: 828 g This is a truly awesome ferrocolumbite specimen. Sold to the Smithsonian Institute. Two large and lustrous ferrocolumbites sit in opposition atop a mass of albite, all within quartz. The crystals have nucleated on the albite, and have grown within the quartz, which has permitted growth of the sharp and lustrous crystals you see here. Two other well-formed but small crystals are present on the back of the specimen, along with the base section of what would have originally been another large crystal. Very fine-grained accessory garnet occurs within albite on the back of the specimen. This specimen was found early on in our specimen mining when a broken crystal (the one on the back of the specimen) was noticed in a mine face. Careful work exposed very small sections of one of the crystals you see on this specimen. Work over a period of two days was required to remove the specimen from the rock as specialised tools needed be used (and had to be sourced from the nearest major town) to ensure no further damaged to the specimen occurred. We will post photos of the extraction soon. Once out of the ground, further preparation resulted in the specimen you see here. A simply Exquisite piece for the serious collector US$4,499- |
Crystal size: up to 30 x 15 x 5 mm Specimen size: 66 x 52 x 36 mm Specimen weight: 145 g A great specimen with two 3cm ferrocolumbites at opposing angles, complimented by two smaller crystals on the edge of the specimen. Crystals are growing from an albite base into a coarse grained microcline of pale orange-white colour.
US$650- |
Crystal size: 43 x 22 x 15 mm Specimen size: 104 x 90 x 67 mm Specimen weight: 562 g A large single columbite nucleating along an albite base, with coarse microcline along one side of the crystal. Minor quartz and muscovite and very fine-grained garnet are also present. The crystal termination is a perfectly crystallised complex termination. US$750- |
 Additional picture of both C4 and C5 (above) on a blue towel straight after they had been uncovered from surrounding pegmatite. The pegmatite is hard and brittle so that the crystals must be carefully extracted with mechanical tools. The Crystals on smokey quartz have an extreme irridescent luster. Both were found deep within the pegmatite and show no signs of weathering. These are some of our best pieces so we just wont part with them easily. Like the famous Mining Hall of Fame specimen in Kalgoorlie, C5 specimen has attributes that define perfection in the Columbite mineral. |
When a local geologist, who has examined many of the specimens that
have come from this mining locality area saw these crystals, he assured us that these were
some of the most beautiful pieces ever discovered in Western Australia
They just aren’t found like this every day. The lease on this columbite property in Australia is available for sale and offers have been received. From the quality you can see why it is a sought after location for columbite and beryl pegmatite minerals. Papers have been written on the locality (see publications) and a new paper is in progress after the completion of recent mining.
C6: This is a sharp and well-defined crystal in albite matrix. The crystal displays an unusual striated termination and has good lustre. US$199- |
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Crystal size: 75 x 49 x 28 mm single crystal Specimen weight: 306 g This is our largest single crystal to date. Faces are lustrous and the termination is extremely complex, with a ‘layered’ appearance to the termination. The main faces are curved, indicating some warping of the crystal structure has occurred during growth. Minor damage on some of the terminations, visible only on close inspection. The crystal was found in an area of kaolinised feldspar, so the specimen could not be recovered on matrix. US$399- |
Crystal size: 32 x 21 x 8 mm Specimen size: 56 x 48 x 25 mm Specimen weight: 57 g A great miniature specimen, the columbite is complimented by albite and quartz matrix. The crystal is a classic tabular form with a simple and this habit typifies good crystals from Spargoville.
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Crystal size: 26 x 20 x 8 mm Specimen size: 69 x 59 x 48 mm Specimen weight: 148 g An upright columbite crystal with a dull lustre and embayed faces, the termination is complex, with two terminations visible. Slight damage to specimen. US$169- |
   C11 : UNDER OFFER. US$449-:
Crystal size: 27 x 22 x 11 mm Specimen size: 86 x 98 x 53 mm Specimen weight: 333 g.
A single inch plus crystal exhibits well crystallised simple termination. Main face
shows a great iridescent patina. The crystal is nucleating on albite and is backed by an
intergrowth of feldspar and quartz in what’s called graphic texture. Matrix contains
accessory very fine-grained garnet. |
Columbite was featured on our front page. View this past feature and more columbite for sale here. >>
Mimetite
Mimetite from a World Class Chinese location as seen in The Mineralogical Record (reported locality Bapu, Guangdong Prov., China). There are only a few left from this amazing recent find.
We have a comprehensive range of orange, butterscotch and honey colored Mimetites from US$110- to $2,750-
See the entire range here --->>>
All mineral specimens come with full details on the locality and composition of the piece. Remember that we have collected many of these specimens by hand so have first-hand knowledge that will be passed on to the buyer. Email us for more photos and explanations of any piece that takes your interest.
ÓNew Find Minerals, 2003
