Description :

A fascinating antique systematic mineral collection housed across three matching partitioned wooden curation trays. This extensive geological study collection features dozens of diverse raw mineral, ore, and rock specimens, capturing the charm of 19th or early 20th-century scientific study.

The collection is highly prized for its historical context, containing numerous original handwritten and typed identification labels tucked into individual cells. These slips offer a window into early mineral taxonomy, detailing classic nomenclature and geological sourcing.

Box one

 Galena Octahedrons (Colorado)Label Text: "Galena Xls Octahedrons, Cold. Cent. Mine, Georgetown Colo. 1880 M5"Mineral Info: Galena (lead sulfide) usually crystallizes as cubes, making these "Xls" (crystals) shaped like octahedrons (double pyramids) more distinct.Historical Significance: The label attributes this to the Colorado Central Mine in Georgetown, Colorado. The "1880" date indicates this piece is an extraordinary antique specimen collected during Colorado's silver boom era

 Galena Cubes (Kansas)Label Text: "Galena Cubes, Kansas"Mineral Info: This specimen showcases the classic, geometric, metallic lead-gray cubic crystal habits characteristic of galena.Geographic Origin: Likely sourced from the historic Tri-State Mining District (which covered southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma), world-famous for massive lead and zinc deposits.

 Ptilolite (Idaho)Label Text: "Ptilolite, Riggins ID. 272"Mineral Info: Ptilolite is an archaic mineralogical name for what is known today as Mordenite, a type of zeolite mineral that forms delicate, white, fibrous, or needle-like radiating clusters.Geographic Origin: Collected near Riggins, Idaho, a region known for volcanic basalt flows where cavities frequently host beautifully crystallized zeolite minerals.

 Aragonite on Iron-Opal (Washington)Label Text: "Aragonite on Iron-Opal, 5 Mi. W. Prairie, Spokane Wn."Mineral Info: This specimen consists of pale aragonite crystals deposited onto a base of dark, iron-bearing common opal ("iron-opal").Geographic Origin: Sourced 5 miles west of Five Mile Prairie, a distinct geographic landform located in Spokane, Washington

Curved Cubic Cleavage Galena & Quartz (Washington)Label Text: "Curved cubic cleavage & quartz, Cleveland Mine, Colville"Mineral Info: Another fascinating Galena specimen, this one noted for having distorted or "curved" cubic cleavage planes, physically intergrown alongside quartz.Geographic Origin: The Cleveland Mine is a historic lead-silver-zinc mine located just outside of Colville in Stevens County, Washington.

Copper/Gold Ore (Montana)Label Text: "Bell Boy Mine, Marysville Montana"Mineral Info: The visual shows distinct green staining, which is malachite (a secondary copper mineral) weathering out of a host matrix.Geographic Origin: The Bell Boy Mine was a notable operation within the historic Marysville District of Montana, primarily mined for gold and silver, with copper present in the veins.

Box two
Pyrite: Brilliant, highly reflective brassy-metallic cubic crystal clusters ("Fool's Gold")

Calcite: Large, blocky cream-white specimen displaying classic rhombohedral cleavage.

Rubellite & Lepidolite: Vivid pink-purple tourmaline crystals embedded in a silvery-brown mica matrix.

"Ruby Zinc" (Sphalerite): Accompanied by its original handwritten identification slip noting “Ruby Zinc and Quartz crystals.

”Botryoidal Chalcedony/Smithsonite: A distinct, bubbly rounded specimen featuring vintage inventory number "190".Copper/Iron Ores: 

Multiple pieces including rich chalcopyrite, vibrant green malachite/chrysocolla coatings, and ochre-yellow limonite oxidation crusts.Crystalline Structures: Interlocking needle-like acicular crystal clusters (resembling actinolite/tremolite) and clear quartz crystal clusters.

Box Three

Pyromorphite – Hercules Mine (Burke, Idaho): A standout specimen showcasing vibrant, lime-green crystalline clusters from the legendary Coeur d'Alene mining district.Topaz – Thomas Range (Juab Co., Utah): A historic specimen from one of America's most famous gemstone localities

Rhodochrosite – Brazil: A beautiful, highly distinct fragment displaying classic concentric pink and white banding.

Beryl – Near Fish Lake (Utah/Western US): Opaque crystalline beryl matrix chunk.

Azurite & Malachite: Vivid, deep royal-blue azurite pockets nested directly within bright green malachite.Sphalerite ("Zinc") – California: A heavy, dark, metallic ore specimen with excellent glittery reflectivity.

Cerussite – Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) & Slavonia (Croatia): Two distinct specimens of this classic lead carbonate, including a rare historic European locality piece.Barite Crystals – Palo Verde, California: A light desert-derived crystal matrix.

Scorodite: A classic example of earthy, gossan-associated iron arsenate.

Complex Copper/Zinc Blend – Colorado: A multi-mineral matrix featuring metallic pyrites, sphalerite, and clear quartz crystals

Plus 4 additional unverified vintage-labeled compartments containing mixed quartz, copper carbonates, and silicate minerals