Pargasite

Sungate Mine, An Phu, Luc Yen, Yen Bai, Vietnam
Ex. Dr. Robert Woodside
Small Cabinet, 8.4 x 6.5 x 4.7 cm
Start Time: 09/21/2023 7:00:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 09/28/2023 6:33:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $609
View Closed Auction Set

Item Description

A gorgeous and displayable specimen hosting intense saturated green crystals of the rock-forming mineral Pargasite, to 2.0 cm, this is a classic of early 2000s production from the famous Sungate mine in Vietnam. Known for spinel for carving and decorative use in "stone sculptures" and carving material, much of this material got shipped to China and was only somewhat leaked to the specimen market for collectors like us. We saw huge carvings as big as I am, of massive matrix containing spinels and green pargasite, in decor museums in China. However, few enough specimens got out with good crystals for the rest of the world. This is a hand sized, display quality, fine specimen that showcases 3 distinct, sharp crystals to 2 cm, all wonderfully visible. Dr. Woodside purchased it in the early 2000s from Mountain Minerals after one of his trips there. Note that, as is typical with this material, it was carved by locals around the outside to remove mass and give the edges a round shape, considered lucky and appealing for home display.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$609 09/28/2023 6:29:10 pm (CDT)
$595 09/28/2023 6:29:10 pm (CDT)
$584 09/28/2023 6:29:00 pm (CDT)
$559 09/28/2023 6:29:00 pm (CDT)
$534 09/28/2023 6:28:51 pm (CDT)
$509 09/28/2023 6:28:51 pm (CDT)
$499 09/28/2023 6:28:42 pm (CDT)
$489 09/28/2023 6:28:42 pm (CDT)
$454 09/28/2023 5:53:05 pm (CDT)
$444 09/28/2023 5:53:05 pm (CDT)
$410 09/28/2023 3:29:42 pm (CDT)
$400 09/28/2023 3:29:42 pm (CDT)
$380 09/26/2023 12:30:53 pm (CDT)
$370 09/26/2023 12:30:53 pm (CDT)
$355 09/24/2023 8:32:23 pm (CDT)
$345 09/24/2023 8:32:23 pm (CDT)
$335 09/22/2023 5:44:10 pm (CDT)
$325 09/22/2023 5:44:10 pm (CDT)
$285 09/22/2023 12:51:18 pm (CDT)
$275 * 09/22/2023 12:51:12 pm (CDT)
$275 * 09/22/2023 12:51:12 pm (CDT)
$225 09/22/2023 11:17:55 am (CDT)
$215 09/22/2023 11:17:55 am (CDT)
$109 09/22/2023 10:01:19 am (CDT)
$99 09/22/2023 10:01:19 am (CDT)
$15 09/22/2023 6:52:24 am (CDT)
$10 09/22/2023 5:45:42 am (CDT)
* Proxy Bid Battle: In the event of two customers inputting matching proxy bids, the leading bid goes to the earliest of the two proxy bids. Tie winners are shown in bold.