{"title":"Featured Specimens","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"petrified-colla-wood-zile-turkey-4","title":"Petrified \"Colla\" Wood, Zile, Turkey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Colla Wood\" from Zile, Turkey\u003c\/strong\u003e is an absolutely fascinating material that bridges the mineral and fossil worlds. The \u003cspan\u003ea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003egatized white pine found near Zile lies over a copper deposit and has absorbed an array of colourful minerals. This piece is true to its named and is richly-coloured by blue-green chrysocolla. Small, red-brown cuprite crystals are present too, along with orange siderite, all within white chalcedony (agate). This slice clearly shows growth rings and has ample bark around most of its perimeter. Note that the chalcedony fluoresces! \u003c\/span\u003eThese colourful petrified woods are truly beautiful and the source in Turkey is now depleted.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003ePossibly of Miocene age. Zile, Tolkat Province, Turkey. Dimensions: 12 cm x 16 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51770050019610,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/IMG_4795.jpg?v=1772253591"},{"product_id":"witherite-minerva-no-1-mine-hardin-county-illinois","title":"Witherite - Minerva No 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois","description":"\u003cp\u003eI love mineral specimens that tell a story like this one. In this case, we have a very large \u003cstrong\u003ewitherite \u003c\/strong\u003ecrystal that experienced a tectonic break during growth. The break is filled with purple \u003cstrong\u003efluorite \u003c\/strong\u003eand white \u003cstrong\u003ecalcite\u003c\/strong\u003e. The tear separated the witherite into two halves which may have continued to grow, but at slightly different angles. The tear through the witherite is not complete and almost appears to have healed itself near the large termination. It almost appears that it sutured together with stitches! While the tear is interesting geologically, the witherite itself is a beast measuring 6.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 5 cm. With barium the key element in this mineral, it is very hefty at this size. The crystal is complete with deep colour and terrific luster. Fluorescence is very nice under short wave UV light. The Minerva No 1 Mine is arguably the best locality for the species worldwide and this piece is no exception. Ex Bill Rouslin collection. From: \u003cstrong\u003eMinerva No 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock district, Hardin County, Illinois.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Witherite\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orthorhombic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Class:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carbonates\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShort Wave Ultraviolet response\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bluish-white cream\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ex Bill Rouslin Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5 × 6.5 × 5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51937405632794,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/IMG_5556_1.jpg?v=1775272153"},{"product_id":"rhodonite-variety-fowlerite-franklinite-franklin-sussex-co-new-jersey","title":"Rhodonite (variety Fowlerite) \u0026 Franklinite -  Franklin, New Jersey","description":"\u003cp\u003eBill Rouslin, originally from Rhode Island, was a serious mineral collector for most of his life. According to his wife, decades ago they used to drive past the mines at \u003cstrong\u003eFranklin, New Jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e on a regular basis. Apparently he made many side trips to the mines and picked up many classic specimens from that locality (watch for future listings). Perhaps the star piece of his Franklin acquisitions was this cabinet-sized \u003cstrong\u003erhodonite\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003efranklinite\u003c\/strong\u003e combination. The light pink flags the rhodonite as the zinc and calcium-bearing variety called \u003cstrong\u003efowlerite\u003c\/strong\u003e. There is a small amount of calcite at the base of the rhodonites which makes me think this piece was etched out from calcite (the calcite fluoresces brightly under long wave UV light). The rhodonites are big with black, opaque franklinite crystals attached to their sides and at their bases. Note instead of the typical octahedral form, the franklinites are dodecahedral! This is an impressive mineralogical specimen from a famous locality that is long out of production. Specimens like these are important historically and need to be curated appropriately. Admittedly this is a difficult piece to let go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rhodonite (variety Fowlerite) \u0026amp; Franklinite\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Triclinic (Rhodonite\/Fowlerite)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Class:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silicates\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ex Bill Rouslin Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13 × 9 × 8 cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52051945881882,"sku":null,"price":1300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/IMG_5530_1.jpg?v=1775589182"},{"product_id":"rutile-graves-mountain-georgia","title":"Rutile  - Graves Mountain, Georgia","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a giant \u003cstrong\u003erutile \u003c\/strong\u003efrom the type locality at famous \u003cstrong\u003eGraves Mountain\u003c\/strong\u003e. Likely an older pices from a recently acquired collection, these are considering mineral world classics. Clearly the best of the biggest rutiles come from Graves Mountain and this big boy does not disappoint. The crystal is sharp on all edges other than the basal contact with no damage. Crystals of this size and quality are not common in today's market. Ex Bill Rouslin collection. From: Graves Mountain, Lincoln County, Georgia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rutile\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Graves Mountain, Lincoln County, Georgia, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tetragonal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Class:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxides\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ex Bill Rouslin Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.5 × 7 × 4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52052303216922,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/IMG_5543_1.jpg?v=1775591108"},{"product_id":"corundum-variety-sapphire-ratnapura-sri-lanka","title":"Corundum (variety Sapphire) - Ratnapura, Sri Lanka","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe island of gems, Sri Lanka\u003c\/strong\u003e, has yielded an astounding treasure trove of \u003cstrong\u003esapphires \u003c\/strong\u003efor hundreds of years. Most are found in alluvial (river and stream) gravels having been liberated from their host rocks by relentless tropical rains. Occasionally we get to see sapphires still in their host rock which is a rare thing. This is somewhat personal to me as my Bachelor's thesis project, in university, was studying the host rocks at the Yogo Gulch sapphire deposit in Montana. Sri Lanka's rocks are much different but yield similar gems. In this case we have a LARGE, bi-pyramidal corundum crystal in its host rock. The blue-gray corundum crystal (variety sapphire) is 9 cm long! Note the fractures on the specimen appear natural with no evidence of repairs under inspection with a black light. The specimen stands proudly on its own without any aids. This piece is from Rob Belcher's collection. From: \u003cstrong\u003eRatnapura, Sri Lanka.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corundum (variety Sapphire)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trigonal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Class:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oxides\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ex Rob Belcher Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 × 5 × 9 cm (sapphire crystal approx. 9 cm long)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52181668659482,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/IMG_5151.jpg?v=1778087133"},{"product_id":"trilobite","title":"Trilobite (Cernuolimbus ludvigseni) - Bull River Valley, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis specimen consists of two large plates (part and counterpart) revealing a large complete trilobite. The species has been identified as \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCernuolimbus ludvigseni\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003eIt was collected in the \u003cstrong\u003eBull River Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e, located east of \u003cstrong\u003eCranbrook \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e Fort Steele, BC\u003c\/strong\u003e in sediments of the \u003cstrong\u003eMcKay Group (Cambrian age)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The preservation is excellent and makes for a terrific display piece. In addition to the large trilobite, there is also a small \u003cstrong\u003eagnostid\u003c\/strong\u003e trilobite on one plate (see close-up on last photograph). Provenance here is excellent as this is directly from the discoverer to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritish Columbia fossils are illegal to sell, except under special circumstances. I represent a team that has claims on several trilobite localities in BC that have been legally grandfathered into older legislation. \u003cstrong\u003eThis allows them to legally excavate, prepare and sell fossils from these particular claims, including this specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e. Mostly, they collect for themselves and only sell specimens to fund their collecting expenses. They simply love fossils and field collecting. Additionally, they have done a terrific job allowing the scientific community and local fossil clubs and school groups onto their claims for research, collecting and education. In my opinion, they are going above and beyond any legal requirements. As the Star Wars character The Mandalorian says, this is the way. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those interested in learning more about the trilobites of the McKay Group I recommend the following scientific paper: \u003cstrong\u003eFurongian (Upper Cambrian) trilobites from the McKay Group, Bull River Valley, near Cranbrook, southeastern British Columbia, Canada (2016) by Brian D. E. Chatterton and Stacey Gibb in \u003cem\u003ePalaeontographica Canadiana\u003c\/em\u003e No 35\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is jointly published by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (now known as the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association) and the Geological Association of Canada.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFossil: \u003c\/strong\u003eTrilobite\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecies: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCernuolimbus ludvigseni\u003c\/em\u003e (plus a small unidentified agnostid trilobite)\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAge: \u003c\/strong\u003eUpper Cambrian\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFormation: \u003c\/strong\u003eMcKay Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality: \u003c\/strong\u003eBull River Valley, East of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eTrilobite size: 4.25 x 3 cm\u003cbr\u003ePlate1: 35 x 21cm, weight 1670g\u003cbr\u003ePlate2: 35 x 19cm, weight 2077g\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52749157237018,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/Trilobite01-02.jpg?v=1787872434"}],"url":"https:\/\/keithrocks.ca\/collections\/featured-specimens.oembed","provider":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","version":"1.0","type":"link"}