Bournonite on Fluorite

$1,800.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

This miniature is a striking and unusual combination of Bournonite with Fluorite from the famous Yaogangxian Mine, perhaps China's greatest mineral locality. The sharp, highly-lustrous, metallic Bournonite crystals show the rare tabular habit, and is perfectly accented by a cluster of vivid purple Fluorite cubes. The largest Bournonite crystal is 2.7 cm across, and the famous cogwheel edges are well-developed and also have a mirror-like luster. The contrast of bright silver-black metallic luster against the soft purple Fluorite makes for a bold and highly-aesthetic presentation. The Fluorite also has classic, vivid, purple-blue fluorescence. The Yaogangxian Mine, long renowned for producing some of China’s finest mineral specimens, is now closed, and such distinctive combinations have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Pieces like this, with both sharp form and excellent contrast, already feel like part of collecting history. Ex. Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world which includes a 100-plus piece China sub-collection, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website (https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/) or on Wikipedia. We obtained this in a large group of Steve's duplicate holdings from his long purchases out of China. At 95 years old as of 2026, Steve is still going strong and collecting Chinese minerals in particular, with a forthcoming book (2027).