An incredible, old time example of dioptase and calcite from Chile!!! This specimen consists of an aesthetic and showy combination of
calcite and dioptase richly covering a sculptural matrix!!! This specimen hosts a rich covering of lustrous, platy calcite crystals in
intimate association with intensely colored slightly bluish emerald green dioptase crystals!!! The combination of intensely colored
dioptase and translucent calcite makes for a very striking old time beauty indeed!!! The dioptase imparts a handsome, slightly bluish
green color to the calcite and there are numerous areas of tiny, gemmy dioptase crystals poking through the calcite!!! The calcite crystals
are sharp, lustrous and have marked translucence!!! The dioptase crystals are small but intensely colored, gemmy, and brilliantly lustrous!!!
There are some areas on the underside that host calcite crystals richly included with an unidentified green mineral and there
are some areas of massive malachite scattered throughout the massive quartz matrix!!! This is OLD material!!! This specimen
is from the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and retains an old label with L.L. Hubbard Collection (1849-1933) notation!!! Truly an amazing old time beauty!!!
Courtesy of the Mineralogical Record:
"Lucius L. Hubbard (1849-1933)
Hubbard was a life-long mineral collector, and he also took time off to study mineralogy at the Universities of Heidelberg and Bonn beginning in 1883. After receiving his PhD in Bonn in 1886 he joined the staff of the Michigan Geological Survey and the Michigan College of Mines in 1890. In 1893 he left to become Michigan State Geologist, a post he held until 1899, when he resigned to head geological exploration activities for the Copper Range Company. He discovered the southern extension of the Baltic lode, the last big native copper deposit to be found in the district; it became the Champion mine, where Hubbard later became general manager. He served as a member of the Board of Control of the Michigan College of Mines, and as a Regent of the University of Michigan, from 1910 until his death in Eagle Harbor, Michigan on August 3, 1933.
Despite being partially color-blind, Hubbard built an immense, first-class personal mineral collection, which he
donated to the Michigan College of Mines (today Michigan Technological University)."
The pics hardly do it justice!!! Must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!!!
Good luck and be sure to check out my other exciting mineral auctions on ebay!!! STAY TUNED!!! MORE AUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL 5-DAY AUCTION, ENDING THURSDAY APRIL 26th!!!
