This Russia Update (click here) features a small number of excellent specimens from the famous mines of Dal’negorsk. Some are relatively recent and some are older, having resided in collections until now. The fluorites in this update are particularly beautiful examples of different combinations of crystal forms and the calcites are brilliant with clarity and internal play of light. The galenas are textbook twins (on the spinel law), the axinite-(Mn) is a remarkable high quality cabinet specimen and the ilvaite is super, particularly given how hard it has become to obtain the decent-sized Dal’negorsk ilvaites. Finally, the sceptered beta quartz specimens are aesthetic, high-quality pieces from the 2013 find.

Fluorite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 5.4 cm

Fluorite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 1.3 cm fluorite

Fluorite and Calcite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 1.1 cm (fluorite crystal)

Fluorite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 5.6 cm

Calcite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 5.1 cm

Galena (Twin), Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 2.1 cm crystal

Axinite – (Mn), Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – field of view approx. 6 cm

Ilvaite, Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 5.3 cm

Quartz (Sceptre, Beta), Dal’negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia – 8.8 cm