Jim Spann's Photo Gallery
R2W-96ULiroconite Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4·4H2O
Dimensions: 30 mm x 17 mm x 12 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 6 mm
Nearly 20 individual rich blue sharp-edged flattened octahedral transparent liroconite xls up to 6x6x2mm with unknown green spheroid xl inclusions on a matrix with numerous associated minerals. Spann catalog #3427.
This liroconite photo by Jeff Scovil has appeared on the cover of Lapis (May 2010) for their "blue minerals" issue, on the cover of Rock & Gem (March 2011) for their Cornwall article and in a full page spread of Mineralien Welt (Nov.-Dec. 2014, p.35) for their lengthy Cornwall article.
After acquiring it from Dave Bunk in Sept. 2008 (ex Ernie Schlichter), we removed four layers of glue from one side, stood it on end and had Jeff take this wonderful image. Jolyon was greatly surprised to see that we had acquired the same specimen that he had admired in Denver.
Mindat.org Photo of the Day - 5th Jan 2015
FRX-1WTBeryl (Var: Heliodor) Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Dimensions: 34 mm x 87 mm x 28 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 87 mm
This rare golden beryl gem xl is considered the largest and finest xl not sold into the gem trade, which was kept by the Green Walking Stick mine owner, Bob Contat after he found it in the 1960s; it was sold from his estate in 2003. An extremely rare, if not unique, bright golden orange gem quality ~125g, 87x34x28mm transparent lustrous elongated hexagonal heliodor xl with heavily etched surfaces, yet an obvious hexagonal base; color banding alternates between golden yellow and rich orange every 15-20mm from bottom to top; terminal end is etched into spires, with base rehealed to smooth termination; bright refractive colors flash form all over xl
V8D-ULCChalcocite Cu2S
Dimensions: 33 mm x 18 mm x 15 mm
metallic black rectangular with strong blue patina, from Harvard University, Mineralogical Museum
8G4-K5DBeryl (Var: Aquamarine) Be3Al2Si6O18
Dimensions: 152 mm x 40 mm x 36 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 152 mm
One of only a dozen or so great pieces preserved from the most famous Aqua find in Medina in 1997. Water-clear gem-quality sea green doubly terminated with dual tapered ends, large hexagonal prismatic aquamarine xl, beautifully etched with 'casement window' depressions. Numerous dealers have called this "the finest aquamarine of its size known".
Mindat.org Photo of the Day - 10th May 2019
H6Q-JJKWulfenite Pb(MoO4) , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 88 mm x 58 mm x 40 mm
Considered the best of the Red Gem pocket found in March 2003, with wulfenite xls on all sides of this breccia amethystine quartz. Featured in the 2012 TGMS "Arizona Mineral Treasures Exhibition case, Wulfenite from the Red Cloud mine". Bright red-orange gemmy transparent (very rare) to translucent tabular wulfenite xls with razor sharp edges (unlike the typical rounded edges) all standing on edge with the largest xl having 6 sides of the typical octagonal outline visible and a few others showing 7 sides, on a rare amethystine quartz matrix floater.
M19-0JCScheelite Ca(WO4) , Quartz SiO2 , Chlorite Group
Dimensions: 63 mm x 98 mm x 73 mm
Spectacular deep plum purple doubly terminated stacked bipyramidal scheelite xls to 42mm on edge and 87mm tip to tip, translucent near the tips with bright lustrous purple faces on two sides and a thin bright drusy quartz film with less luster on two other sides, with pale green gray bubbly chamosite-like xl layer on contacted side and mixed in with white quartz xl matrix
XU9-RPTEpidote (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Dimensions: 145 mm x 55 mm x 56 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 145 mm
Amazing epidote xl quill with four fins of transparent olive green xls along a 145mm center core xl; one of the best epidotes in the world.
