Adam Kelly's Photo Gallery

YCD-HCFRhodochrosite MnCO₃ , Fluorite CaF₂ , Calcite CaCO₃

Alma Mining District, Park County, Colorado, USA

Dimensions: 4.2 cm x 3.1 cm x 2.7 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.5 cm
Weight: 19.3 g

This specimen comes from the Sara Rose Mine in the Alma Mining District. The rhodochrosite crystal sits on a large fragment of purple/blue fluorite and has minor calcite present. I could not find the Sara Rose Mine in Mindat, but there is at least one other photo of a specimen listed as coming from there, and this was one of many that the vendor had. While not nearly as gemmy as pieces from the nearby Sweet Home Mine, these are none the less a decent specimens with nice associations. Purchased from Nectar Gems in 2024.
Part of my rhodochrosite suite.

38M-PMRFluorapatite Ca₅(PO₄)₃F

Ganadao, Warsak Intrusions, Mohmand District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Dimensions: 3.6 cm x 2.1 cm x 1.7 cm

This is a stacked cluster of fluorapatite crystals with what I believe to be actinolite inclusions. For some reason I have always had trouble photographing specimens from this location, this was no exception. It has many smaller crystals that just make this piece sparkle in person. It also has decent color, and very good luster. It was a Christmas gift from myself, to myself last year. Purchased from Helldunkel minerals.
Part of my apatite suite.

PFX-VYFTopaz Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂

Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dimensions: 5.6 cm x 1.9 cm x 1.6 cm
Weight: 31.1 g

A good sized imperial topaz that has a mass of 31.1g or one troy ounce. This crystal has great color and good clarity. There is some minor chipping present which is quite common from this location, and does not detract from the overall aesthetics. Purchased during the 2024 Tucson Gem and Mineral show.
Part of my topaz suite.

KPC-CMXBeryl (Var: Aquamarine) Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ , Beryl (Var: Morganite) Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈) , Albite Na(AlSi₃O₈) , Schorl NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

Baha, Braldu Valley, Shigar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Dimensions: 8.1 cm x 5.8 cm x 5.6 cm
Weight: 185.4 g

Nice bi-color beryl with distinct color zoning. There is some albite and minor schorl present. It has a pleasing pastel coloration but is not as vibrant as some of the examples from this location. Purchased from "The Miners PK" at the 2023 Denver Gem show.
Part of my beryl suite.

1KQ-GY0Quartz (Var: Amethyst) SiO₂

Aggregate Industries Quarry, Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA

Dimensions: 4.1 cm x 3.4 cm x 2.0 cm
Weight: 32.5 g

Amethyst with a rich purple color from a classic New England local. Acquired in a trade with Nate Northeast. It is in very good condition with only a very minor contact visible just left of center.
Part of my amethyst and New England suites.

VHK-J2ABeryl (Var: Morganite) Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈) , Beryl (Var: Aquamarine) Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Skardu Area, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Dimensions: 5.5 cm x 4.8 cm x 3.2 cm
Weight: 107.6 g

This beryl is a pleasing combination of pastel pink morganite and blue aquamarine. There are some more recent finds from this same area, but they are mostly pink with blue terminations. This one has some blue zones as well as a darker blue area that almost looks like elestial growth on the back. Self healed all around, with only very minor chipping present.
Part of my beryl suite.

A0A-48ABeryl (Var: Aquamarine) Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ , Quartz (Var: Rose Quartz) SiO₂

Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dimensions: 14.3 cm x 7.1 cm x 6.1 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 12.6 cm
Weight: 907 g

Here is something I have never seen before. Dark blue aquamarine growing in dark pink rose quartz. The only location information given was Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was formerly in the collection of Dipl. Ing. Horst Steinhofler (Salzburg/Austria) and was purchased from Margraf Minerals. I am going to do some more research to see if I can pin down a more exact location, but have not turned anything up yet.
Part of my beryl suite.

MMR-1WUBeryl (Var: Aquamarine) Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Songo Pond Quarry, Albany, Oxford County, Maine, USA

Dimensions: 7.0 cm x 2.0 cm x 1.4 cm
Weight: 33.0 g

Dark blue piece of an aquamarine crystal from Songo Pond, Maine. The three front faces and one in back are euhedral. The two others in back are contacted where they grew against other beryl crystals. Neither end is terminated, but it is still a good representation from this classic location. From the Irwin Hammer collection #H-5. Purchased from Williams, Beehler at the 2023 Springfield Gem and Mineral show.
Part of my New England and beryl suites.

YFY-GYLQuartz (Var: Citrine) SiO₂ , Cassiterite SnO₂

Torrington mining district, New South Wales, Australia

Dimensions: 6.1 cm x 3.1 cm x 2.4 cm
Weight: 48.7 g

Citrine crystal with small cassiterite inclusions. It was collected in the public fossicking area called Ford's Hill by Kodie Drennert in 2019.
I have a soft spot in my heart for the citrine from this area.
Part of my natural citrine suite.

51L-L6GOpal SiO₂·nH₂O

South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Dimensions: 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.2 cm
Weight: 2.6 g

I never cease to be amazed by opals. I have probably handled a literal ton of opal, yet find each one so unique. This one shows the whole color spectrum in one shot. It is exactly as it came out of the ground, no polish. Tiny but mighty. Purchased at the 2023 Franklin NC gem show.