ASTERISM SERVICES
MINERAL SPECIMENS
JEWELRY AND CUT GEMS
MINERAL KITS: We have very special mineral kits available to students and beginning mineral collectors alike. Our kits are completely assembled by us as a result of extensive field collecting. We target certain minerals or deposits and collect the samples ourselves, insuring the best possible examples of each species. They are trimmed of any excess matrix (when possible) and stored in the heavy-duty cardboard compartmented boxes we purchase specially for this application. Each sample is labelled with the species name, chemical formula, and locality. The boxes are sturdy cardboard with 54 individual compartments measuring 2 x 2 x 1-1/2 inches deep. Each box comes with 54 different mineral species, and for our two-box set, 108 different species.
If you have a need for a rare species, one that we don't have in stock, please click here to link to our associate, Wendi at:
MINERALS UNLIMITED. She can help you!
ONE BOX SET: Our one-box set consists of 54 individual minerals and crystals, each labelled, and categorized into subclasses: NATIVE ELEMENTS: graphite. SULFIDES: pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, chalcocite, galena. SULFOSALTS: tetrahedrite. OXIDES: goethite, ilmenite, psilomelane, corundum, chromite, magnetite, brucite. CARBONATES: calcite, rhodocrosite, azurite, malachite, dolomite, magnesite, trona. SULPHATES: barite, gypsum. PHOSPHATES: montebrasite, apatite, purpurite, triphylite, wavellite. HALIDES: fluorite, halite, sylvite. SILICATES: quartz, quartz var. smoky, quartz var. rose, talc, chrysocolla, rhodonite, biotite, lepidolite, muscovite, chlorite, albite, microcline, kyanite, bronzite, hedenbergite, spodumene, garnet var. almandine, stilbite, prehnite, sodalite, epidote, tourmaline var. schorl.
TWO BOX SET: Our two box set consists of 108 different minerals, all of those in the one-box set above plus: NATIVE ELEMENTS: copper, sulfur. SULFIDES: arsenopyrite, cobaltite, covellite, digenite, orpiment, pyrrhotite, realgar, sphalerite, stibnite. SULFOSALTS: enargite. OXIDES: columbite, hematite. TUNGSTATES, MOLYBDATES: crocoite, hubnerite, scheelite, vanadinite. BORATES: borax, ulexite. SULPHATES: brochantite, langbeinite, celestite. CARBONATES: cerussite, siderite, smithsonite. PHOSPHATES: arrojadite, ferrisicklerite, monazite, sarcopside. SILICATES: lepidolite (yellow), vermiculite, heulandite, scolecite, labradorite, microcline var. amazonite, staurolite, ferroaxinite, danburite, diopside, petalite, sillimanite, vesuvianite, wollastonite, scapolite, pyrophyllite, anthophyllite, agrellite, tremolite, garnet var. grossular, tremolite var. nephrite, pollucite, quartz var. amethyst, quartz var. chalcedony.
Our ability to create these mineral kits is somewhat limited, so we restrict the purchase of these kits to one per customer (one or two-box sets). The one box set is $100, not including postage & handling (to be determined at the time of order). The two-box set is $250, also not including postage & handling. Because of the amount of wrapping required to protect each sample during transportation, the handling part of the fee is $10 per box; shipping must be then calculated based on destination and package weight. TO ORDER: Please e-mail or call us at : (406)-723-2156, Monday through Friday, 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM, Mountain Standard Time or on Saturdays, 10:00 through 4:00.
THUMBNAIL MINERALS:
WHAT IS A THUMBNAIL MINERAL? A thumbnail refers to the size of a mineral specimen or crystal. It defined as one that fits within a 1-inch cube, but are usually mounted in 1-1/4 inch cube plastic "perky" boxes. These small specimens are often high quality, almost perfect examples of their species, and are generally priced far less than their larger counterparts, the "miniatures" and "cabinet"-sized specimens. Thumbnails are also far more commonly found in the field or in mines; they take up little volume and weight, so they are easily stored, accessed, and easy to enjoy. There are thousands of thumbnail enthusiasts throughout the world, and the category is held in competative mineral shows every where.
THUMBNAILS FOR SALE: We have a huge selection of thumbnails for sale! There are so many that we simply cannot list or picture each one. If you are interested, e-mail us or call to request further information about species or localities that you would like to know more about!
BUTTE, MONTANA: In the summer of 2007, we acquired a modest but fine collection of old-time Butte underground mine minerals. This collection was very strong in pyrite, quartz, enargite, and sphalerite, all in various combinations. Thumbnails from this locality are priced from $4 to $45.
BLACK PINE MINE: This locality, which ran as an operating silver mine from the late 70's through the early 90's, produced a prodiguous quantity of fine and rare mineral specimens and crystals, most notably the finest veszelyite crystals ever found, the first specimens of the new mineral philipsburgite (named after the nearest town, Philipsburg, Montana), excaeptional Japan-law twins of quartz, especially those that exhibited multiple twinning, and some very unusual examples of the rare tungsten mineral stolzite, some in pseudomorphs after hubnerite. In the Fall of 2006 we acquired a very large collection of Black Pine mine minerals, from a miner who worked there for nearly two decades. he collected many pockets and never sold a single piece until he offered the entire lot whole, which we purchased in its entirety. Included in this collection are a large number of cerussite crystals, most found in a single pocket, and practically the only cerussites found in the mine's history. These are priced from $4 to $45 each. Also available are stolzites (fluorescent!), from small, micro-sized crystals in close association with corroded hubnerite, some also with quartz, and we still have a few psuedomorphs after hubnerite, very rare! These are priced from $10-$100 each. Other Black Pine minerals include: Japan Law twins of quartz, tetrahedrite, hubnerite, sphalerite, philipsburgite, rhodocrosite (previously unrecognized from here),pyromorphite (some fluorescent) and many combinations of two or more of these mineral species. Prices from $4 up to $75 each.
BUTTE AREA PEGMATITE MINERALS: The pegmatites of Montana's Boulder batholith continue to produce new finds and specimens! We always have a great selection of fine thumbnails from this area, including smoky quartz, amethyst, epidote, schorl tourmaline, and others available when we acquire them! Expect soon to see fine quartz scepters from our Glittering Hill claim.
OTHER THUMBNAILS: As mentioned above, we have so many thumbnails it is impossible to list them all. We have many fine minerals from Montana and Idaho, including quartz scepters from Crystal Park; miarolitic granite minerals from central Idaho, including smoky quartz, beryl, topaz, and others; plus many miscellaneous species and world-wide localities.
GOLD RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD, WITH THREE FACETED MONTANA SAPPHIRES WEIGHING A TOTAL OF 1.89 CARATS: $1,250.
GOLD RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD, SET WITH A CABACHON BLACK STAR SAPPHIRE FROM THAILAND WEIGHING 1.89 CARATS: $1,250.
GOLD RING, 14 KARAT WHITE GOLD, SET WITH A MONTANA SAPPHIRE AND FINE QUALITY DIAMONDS; THE SAPPHIRE WEIGHS 0.38 CARATS: $650.
GOLD RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD, SET WITH A FIRE AGATE CABACHON, VERY HEAVY AND STURDY MAN'S RING, WITH "LIZARD SKIN" SURFACE TEXTURE: $750.
Hummingbird pendant, in sterling silver: design based on the Peruvian images carved by the Incas. One of our production pieces, this can be customized, but as pictured: $75.
Eagle pendant, in sterling silver. One of our production pieces, this can be customized; as pictured: $75.
Celtic cross, sterling silver: $50. This is a production design and can be customized.
Pink Montana sapphire with diamonds, in 14 karat yellow gold: $850.
Large man's ring, with carnelian cabachon, set in Argentium silver: $250.
Faceted Montana sapphire, 2.01 carats, set in 14 karat white gold: $1,100.
Montana sapphires, one blue and one natural pink; set in 14 karat yellow gold: $950.
LION HEAD RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD, SIZE 8: $750
SUNSTONE RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD; LASER-CUT FACETED OREGON RED SUNSTONE, SET IN FANCY COCKTAIL RING, SIZE 8: $800.
"CELTIC FROG" RING, 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD: UNIQUE DESIGN WITH CELTIC KNOT INSCRIBED AROUND TOP AND ALONG SIDES, SET WITH TWO FINE GENUINE EMERALD CABACHONS, SIZE 8-1/2: $925.
