Spinel in matrix

Sungate Mine, An Phu, Luc Yen, Yen Bai, Vietnam
Ex. Dr. Robert Woodside
Small Cabinet, 6.0 x 6.0 x 5.6 cm
Start Time: 09/21/2023 7:00:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 09/28/2023 6:39:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $1,050
View Closed Auction Set

Item Description

A gorgeous and displayable specimen hosting spinels to 1.2 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. Fluorescent in Longwave, an incredible neon red-cherry color. This is a hand sized, display quality, fine specimen. Dr. Woodside purchased it in the early 2000s from dealer Mountain Minerals for $1800 (label). 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
$1,050 09/28/2023 6:35:50 pm (CDT)
$1,000 * 09/28/2023 6:35:40 pm (CDT)
$1,000 * 09/28/2023 6:35:40 pm (CDT)
$975 09/28/2023 6:31:52 pm (CDT)
$950 09/28/2023 6:29:50 pm (CDT)
$925 09/28/2023 6:29:39 pm (CDT)
$900 09/28/2023 6:29:39 pm (CDT)
$875 09/28/2023 6:15:40 pm (CDT)
$850 09/28/2023 6:15:39 pm (CDT)
$800 09/28/2023 6:11:52 pm (CDT)
$775 09/28/2023 6:11:37 pm (CDT)
$750 09/28/2023 6:11:37 pm (CDT)
$626 09/28/2023 4:02:10 pm (CDT)
$601 09/28/2023 4:02:10 pm (CDT)
$460 09/27/2023 2:10:24 pm (CDT)
$450 09/27/2023 2:10:24 pm (CDT)
$410 09/26/2023 12:21:41 am (CDT)
$400 09/24/2023 9:49:10 pm (CDT)
$395 09/24/2023 9:49:10 pm (CDT)
$385 09/24/2023 8:32:02 pm (CDT)
$375 09/24/2023 2:43:56 pm (CDT)
$370 09/24/2023 2:43:55 pm (CDT)
$365 09/22/2023 5:43:54 pm (CDT)
$355 09/22/2023 5:43:54 pm (CDT)
$330 09/22/2023 11:15:47 am (CDT)
$320 09/22/2023 11:15:47 am (CDT)
$310 09/22/2023 11:15:35 am (CDT)
$300 09/22/2023 11:15:35 am (CDT)
$65 09/22/2023 9:58:23 am (CDT)
$55 09/22/2023 9:58:23 am (CDT)
$20 09/22/2023 6:48:59 am (CDT)
$15 09/22/2023 5:45:18 am (CDT)
$10 09/22/2023 5:27:05 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.