This page provides a selection of the specimens that have passed through the Fabre Minerals website and, due to their quality,
rarity, or significance as specimens from interesting locations, have been preserved as reference specimens in #MVM
| Twinned Spinel |
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MD96D8: The Myanmar Spinels are well known for their quality, color and transparency. We buy quite a few and from time to time we come across the rare cases where the Spinel is a twin. This is the case here, but this time the twin is more complex (crystallographically speaking) than the other ones we see. Unusual.
Pein-Pyit, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2003)
Specimen size: 3.5 × 3.3 × 2.9 cm = 1.38” × 1.30” × 1.14”
Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.7 cm = 0.24” × 0.28”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Spinel on Calcite |
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TP89E9: The Spinel crystal has a very flat look as one of the faces of the octahedron has grown far more than the others. This form, as well as the contrast of the red crystal with the white matrix, is probably the most notable thing about it. To this one can add the small flat Clinohumite on one of the upper faces of the Spinel crystal. In UV light the Spinel stands out even more as it is intensely fluorescent yellow.
Pein-Pyit, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (1999)
Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.7 × 3.5 cm = 1.50” × 1.46” × 1.38”
Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.9 cm = 0.43” × 0.35”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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| Spinel with Calcite |
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MM52D7: A good size crystal of Spinel, really red, absolutely perfect, and set well apart from the matrix of white Calcite. Everything is good = a great specimen.
Pein-Pyit, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2003)
Specimen size: 4 × 3.8 × 2.9 cm = 1.57” × 1.50” × 1.14”
Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”
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Spinel on Calcite |
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MM17F2: Three octahedral crystals, which are a perfect red and which stand out from the white Calcite matrix.
Pein-Pyit, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2003)
Specimen size: 4.5 × 4 × 2.8 cm = 1.77” × 1.57” × 1.10”
Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.7 cm = 0.31” × 0.28”
Very fluorescent long & short UV
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| Spinel with Calcite |
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EC70Y5: Very sharp octahedral crystal, on white Calcite matrix, with a flattened growth that produced a large octahedral face, far more developed than the other faces. In addition to its notable luster and degree of transparency, we especially note the color, very vivid and deep.
Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma)
Specimen size: 5.2 × 4.5 × 4.6 cm = 2.05” × 1.77” × 1.81”
Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.2 cm = 0.51” × 0.47”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Spinel with Calcite |
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MH96E8: An octahedral crystal, of good size, that is notable for its unusual color. At the same time the amount of the crystal that stands out from the marble matrix is significant and the crystal form is sharp with perfect faces and tips. Its brilliance adds that final touch. The small internal fracture near the tip, which you can only see given its transparency, does not detract from its high quality.
Oak-saung-taung, Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2003)
Specimen size: 3.5 × 3 × 3.2 cm = 1.38” × 1.18” × 1.26”
Main crystal size: 1 × 1 cm = 0.39” × 0.39”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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| Spinel with Calcite |
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Fluorescent light (daylight)
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BLA86AO5: Very sharp octahedral crystal of Spinel (ruby spinel variety), whose growth appears flattened by one of the faces being more developed than the rest. Between transparent and translucent, with good luster and a very vivid and uniform red color, on Calcite matrix.
Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma)
Specimen size: 5.1 × 5 × 4.5 cm = 2.01” × 1.97” × 1.77”
Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1.4 cm = 0.55” × 0.55”
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Spinel |
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TG89Z7: Parallel growths of octahedral crystals with very well defined faces and edges, between transparent and translucent, very bright and with a luminous sky blue color. This shade is one of the less common for the species.
Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2014)
Specimen size: 5.1 × 2.9 × 2.2 cm = 2.01” × 1.14” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.4 cm = 0.71” × 0.55”
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| Norbergite and Spinel on Calcite |
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MD37F5: Two different minerals in the same specimen: orange Norbergite stands on white Calcite and at the other end there is a red (in fact slightly purple) octahedral Spinel. Good color contrast in this neat specimen.
Oak-saung-taung, Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region (Mandalay Division) Myanmar (Burma) (2003)
Specimen size: 9.3 × 8.4 × 4.3 cm = 3.66” × 3.31” × 1.69”
Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.6 cm = 0.31” × 0.24”
Fluorescent long & short UV
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From Burma come these new, very interesting Elbaites (Rubellites) that are different from those in previous finds. The Elbaites are in the form of spheres or arborescent sprays on white Calcite or Quartz matrix, so the contrast between the white and red makes them very attractive. From this important find we have selected the specimens that have, in our opinion, the best esthetics, brilliance and definition of form. In all cases the Elbaite is aerial on the matrix. As many of the specimens from this find had some form of coating of some sort of Kaolin, we avoided them and went for the ones that have a ‘fresh’ look.
For you information, as no one could tell us if any analysis had been done of this find, we decided to have the analyzed. They are Elbaite, and while they do contain some Calcium in their composition it is not enough for them to be Liddicoatite. So they are definitely Elbaite.
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Elbaite (variety rubellite) with Quartz |
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TM28E2: This floater has good color and brilliance, and is also very esthetic.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel Village, Molo Quarter, Momeik Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State Myanmar (Burma) (2003-2004)
Specimen size: 3 × 2.6 × 2.6 cm = 1.18” × 1.02” × 1.02”
Main crystal size: 2.1 × 1.6 cm = 0.83” × 0.63”
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| Elbaite (variety rubellite) with Quartz |
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TD86E2: A stronger raspberry color than the others and the matrix is Quartz, not Calcite.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel Village, Molo Quarter, Momeik Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State Myanmar (Burma) (2003-2004)
Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.1 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 1.22” × 0.79”
Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1.1 cm = 0.47” × 0.43”
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Elbaite (variety rubellite) with Calcite and Quartz |
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TL50E2: In my opinion this is the best small sample from the find. The sphere is large and has lots of color and brilliance. It is also well placed on the matrix of Calcite with some Quartz at the base. To add to that there is a small black Schorl crystal.
A great one: this specimen was photographed for the ‘what’s new at St Marie 2004’ section of the magazine ‘Minéraux et Fossiles’ and appears on page 35 of number 331. We will send the purchaser a copy of the magazine.
Palelni Mine, Khetchel Village, Molo Quarter, Momeik Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State Myanmar (Burma) (2003-2004)
Specimen size: 4 × 3.7 × 3 cm = 1.57” × 1.46” × 1.18”
Main crystal size: 2.9 × 2.3 cm = 1.14” × 0.91”
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| Doubly terminated Quartz with inclusions |
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TM47N6: Parallel growth of doubly terminated crystals very different than usual for the locality, resembling Alpine pieces. Thick and neatly transparent, they have a very intense luster and have unidentified inclusions.
Ganesh Himal, Dhading District, Bagmati Pradesh Nepal (2008)
Specimen size: 10.3 × 6.5 × 4.7 cm = 4.06” × 2.56” × 1.85”
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Quartz with Chlorite inclusions |
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TL13AB3: Very Sharp crystal on matrix, very rich in Chlorite inclusions and with a completely transparent and colorless termination.
Ganesh Himal, Dhading District, Bagmati Pradesh Nepal (2014)
Specimen size: 7.7 × 5.3 × 1.7 cm = 3.03” × 2.09” × 0.67”
Main crystal size: 5.6 × 1.2 cm = 2.20” × 0.47”
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| Doubly terminated Quartz with Chlorite inclusions |
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TK36AB3: Floater aggregate of Quartz crystals, one of them clearly dominant and all them doubly terminated, very rich in Chlorite inclusions and with completely transparent and colorless terminations.
Ganesh Himal, Dhading District, Bagmati Pradesh Nepal (2013)
Specimen size: 8.5 × 2.9 × 3.3 cm = 3.35” × 1.14” × 1.30”
Main crystal size: 8 × 2.1 cm = 3.15” × 0.83”
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Quartz (japan law twin) |
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TF69AB2: A novelty at Tucson 2015. Extraordinarily sharp japan law twin with very well defined and transparent crystals. We note that the japan law twin, already rare, is even more rare in Alpine type crevices where this Quartz is formed. The sample is a floater with a recrystallized base.
The specimen has been published in the magazine ‘extraLAPIS’ on page 26, number 53, "Zwillinge"
Arun Valley, Mount Makalu, Mahalangur Himalayas Nepal (2014)
Specimen size: 5.4 × 5.2 × 2.2 cm = 2.13” × 2.05” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 4.5 × 2.5 cm = 1.77” × 0.98”
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| Quartz (japan law twin) |
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TG89AB2: A novelty at Tucson 2015. Extraordinarily sharp japan law twin with very well defined and transparent crystals. We note that the japan law twin, already rare, is even more rare in Alpine type crevices where this Quartz is formed. The sample is a floater with a recrystallized base.
Arun Valley, Mount Makalu, Mahalangur Himalayas Nepal (2014)
Specimen size: 6.7 × 6.6 × 2.2 cm = 2.64” × 2.60” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 6.7 × 2.8 cm = 2.64” × 1.10”
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Beryl (variety aquamarine) with Muscovite |
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TX68Q0: Group of crystals of very well defined faces and edges, very clear and of a beautiful blue color, with phantom growths and with groups of leafy crystals of Muscovite.
Kangchenjunga, Taplejung District, Mechi Zone Nepal (06/2009)
Specimen size: 4.4 × 2.4 × 2.2 cm = 1.73” × 0.94” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 4.2 × 1.9 cm = 1.65” × 0.75”
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| Beryl (variety aquamarine) with Quartz, Albite, Schorl, Garnet and Muscovite |
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TF51N9: Single Aquamarine crystal with very well defined faces and edges and with a very perfect pinacoidal termination. The transparency, the luster and the color on all its surfaces are excellent. It is on Quartz matrix with Muscovite, Schorl and an undetermined Garnet. So it has both quality and an unusual locality, making it very appealing.
Kangchenjunga, Taplejung District, Mechi Zone Nepal (12/2008)
Specimen size: 5.4 × 5.1 × 2.2 cm = 2.13” × 2.01” × 0.87”
Main crystal size: 2.6 × 0.7 cm = 1.02” × 0.28”
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Pargasite |
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MB26I2: Prismatic flattened crystals of very well defined faces and edges, black, on a matrix of the same mineral which contrasts with the white Calcite partially covering the specimen.
The specimen is from John. S. White collection and we’ll send the label with the sample.
Kolonne, Embilipitiya, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province Sri Lanka
Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.7 × 2.5 cm = 1.50” × 1.46” × 0.98”
Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.3 cm = 0.51” × 0.51”
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Extraordinary Liddicoatites!
From a single and unique pocket found in 2005 in Minh Tien pegmatite, near Luc Yen, Vietnam. Their color, shape, size and, in general, their quality, put them among the best know, and very much better than others found on the past in the same zone, which had paler color.
They were offered to the public at Ste. Marie 2006 and we don’t miss the opportunity to purchase these samples, that we analyzed to be sure they have Liddicoatite. Now we are proud to present them on our Web.
| Tourmaline (Group) |
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EE46H6: Divergent group of prismatic crystals terminated by three faces of a flat rhombohedron. Color and luster are exceptional.
We’ll give a copy of analysis to the buyer.
Minh Tien pegmatite, Luc Yen, Yenbai Province Vietnam (2005)
Specimen size: 5 × 2.6 × 2.6 cm = 1.97” × 1.02” × 1.02”
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Tourmaline (Group) |
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EF90H6: The specimen is extraordinary, both for its characteristics and for its size. The crystals form a slightly divergent group, are prismatic and are terminated by the three faces of a flat rhombohedron. Color and luster are exceptional and so is the transparency.
We’ll give a copy of analysis to the buyer.
The specimen has been reviewed, photographed and published as a new discovery in the magazine ‘Mineralogical Record’ on page 482 in the volume 37, number 5
Minh Tien pegmatite, Luc Yen, Yenbai Province Vietnam (2005)
Specimen size: 7 × 6.8 × 6.8 cm = 2.76” × 2.68” × 2.68”
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| Quartz (variety chalcedony) |
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EA13AE2: Floater aggregate with very aerial spheroidal forms that are translucent with a very deep uniform lilac color. We note, aside from the color, the elegance of the sample, uncommon for chalcedony.
Mamuju area, Sulawesi Barat Province Indonesia (2016)
Specimen size: 4.2 × 2.5 × 2 cm = 1.65” × 0.98” × 0.79”
Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.4 cm = 0.16” × 0.16”
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Quartz (variety chalcedony) |
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EC6AE2: Floater aggregate with very aerial spheroidal forms that are translucent with a very deep uniform lilac color. We note, aside from the color, the elegance of the sample, uncommon for chalcedony.
Mamuju area, Sulawesi Barat Province Indonesia (2016)
Specimen size: 4.3 × 2.9 × 1.9 cm = 1.69” × 1.14” × 0.75”
Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.3 cm = 0.12” × 0.12”
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| Quartz (variety chalcedony) |
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EE66AE2: Aggregate, on matrix, with very aerial spheroidal forms that are translucent and have a very intense and uniform lilac color. We note, aside from the color, the fineness and the elegance of the simple, uncommon for the chalcedony.
Mamuju area, Sulawesi Barat Province Indonesia (2016)
Specimen size: 11.5 × 5.9 × 6.2 cm = 4.53” × 2.32” × 2.44”
Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm = 0.24” × 0.20”
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