Tama Higuchi's Photo Gallery
2DV-7E2Microcline (Var: Amazonite) K(AlSi3O8) , Quartz (Var: Smoky Quartz) SiO2
Dimensions: 25 mm x 22 mm x 19 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #265
Choice thumbnail from the 2023 "Mini Pocket" at the Smoky Hawk claim, with produced less than a flat of thumbnails. This one had the best color of the bunch. Specimen has one clean repair between the amazonite crystals.
LNQ-WTLCalcite CaCO3 , Sphalerite ZnS
Dimensions: 22 mm x 19 mm x 15 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #266
Very small but stunningly gemmy/lustrous calcite crystal on sphalerite matrix. Nothing particularly special, but I like how these Tennessee calcites look in thumbnail sizes, especially in the context of most of these being pretty large.
WAP-8HDCobaltite CoAsS
Dimensions: 17 mm x 17 mm x 15 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #158.
Relatively sharp single crystal, one point of contact/damage. Nice strong metallic luster.
Ex. Shields Flynn.
ILLUSTRATED: Flynn Collection book "Thumbnail Minerals" Pg. 25.
6TE-W4NBenitoite BaTi(Si3O9) , Neptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2
Dimensions: 24 mm x 14 mm x 10 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #268
A very special combination specimen that I found in Munich and acquired in Tucson. The benitoite “hat” at the top is particularly sharp and gemmy on the right side, and the neptunite is terminated at the bottom. Really fun aesthetics and a cool visual arrangement that you don’t see every day!
Acquired in Tucson 2024 from Anton Watzl.
X1N-TM1Elbaite Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) , Lepidolite
Dimensions: 32 mm x 20 mm x 18 mm
A painting of an elbaite and lepidolite specimen in my collection. This is a re-do of a previous painting created in late 2022, which can also be found in my gallery.
Watercolor on paper
8 x 10 inches
Completed August 2023
16L-YGWDiaspore AlO(OH)
Dimensions: 20 mm x 19 mm x 9 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #257
Diaspore twin, of the thinner, more needle-like style. Delightfully, this one is perfectly symmetrical; both terminations are at the same height.
Ex. Alexander Schauss (This was a 2020 Valentines gift from Laura to Alexander)
ILLUSTRATED:
"Refined Elegance" Mineralogical Record Supplement, pg 120.
V3M-U2MWulfenite Pb(MoO4)
A painting of a wulfenite specimen in my collection. Matrix is probably descloizite on calcite.
Watercolor on paper
8 x 8 inches
Completed July 2023
NJ0-PVCTourmaline AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Dimensions: 30 mm x 26 mm x 29 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #224
The triangular matrix is a geometric and aesthetically pleasing backdrop to the tourmaline crystal in the center. The body of the crystal is inky black, and sharply transitions into a bright magenta zone around the edges, mirroring the shape of the termination. This is most likely fluor-liddicoatite, liddicoatite, or elbaite, but XRD analysis is needed to confirm species.
Acquired at my first Tucson show in 2022.
Y5Y-2K4Autunite Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2·10-12H2O
Dimensions: 22 mm x 21 mm x 10 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #230
Nice rosette of Autunite. Extremely fluorescent, a little radioactive, great boyfriend deterrent to keep him out of my display case.
Per Rob Snyder at Stonetrust, this has been coated to prevent deterioration/dehydration to meta-autunite.
X3P-K8FTopaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
Dimensions: 24 mm x 23 mm x 22 mm
Tama Higuchi Collection #2334
This is probably one of the nicest Japanese Topazes I can recall, at least here in the US. The crystal is in excellent condition, with only tiny trivial cleaves, and most of the body of the crystal is perfectly transparent. The photo emphasizes the roughage of the bottom contact point, but in-person the clarity is more impactful. The termination has a faceted quality to it. It's a full-sized thumbnail too! Acquired during the Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium.
Ex. Shields and Frances Flynn.
ILLUSTRATED: Flynn Collection book "Thumbnail Minerals," Pg. 86
