Comprising four cut and polished pebble sections, each containing an ammonite fossil. 498 grams total, 63-91 mm



From Yorkshire coast. From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

A large group of unpolished amber pieces, each pierced through the centre for stringing. 41 grams total, 8-21 mm



Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Polished to both sides showing light coloured banding to the outer edges and a concentration of rounded formations to the centre with a dark-coloured inclusions within a larger rounded area forming a 'winking eye'. 146 grams, 13.5 cm



From Brazil. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

The attractive internal structure filled with yellow and brown aragonite crystals. 3.53 kg, 22.5 cm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Displaying attractive play of colour. 1.52 kg total, 18-31 mm



From Mexico. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Comprising lacquered porphyry slice of irregular shape, cut and polished on one side, probably recycled material mined in ancient Roman times between the 1st and 5th century A.D. 443 grams, 18.2 cm



From Egypt. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Mons Porphyrites (today Jabal Abu Dukhkhan) is the mountainous site of a group of ancient Porphyry quarries in the Red Sea Hills of the inhospitable eastern desert in Egypt, a five day trip from the Nile during Roman times. They were discovered by Caius Cominus Leugas in 18 A.D., and during the Roman Empire the mines officially belonged to the emperor and were the only known source of the Imperial Porphyry, Mons Porphyrites. This dark purple stone was associated with royalty and used for prestigious sculpture and architecture. The location of the mines was lost some time in the 5th century, and rediscovered in the early 19th century. Excavations in the area have revealed the well-preserved quarries and the dwelling places of the quarry men, and also thousands of ostraca have been discovered containing messages that provide details of how the quarrying took place, and of how the highly skilled quarrymen ordered their food.

Pebble-like black specimens of meteoric glass of various shapes and sizes. 150 grams total, 31-86 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Tektites are lumps of black or dark grey natural glass produced from melted crustal rocks that are caused by large hypervelocity meteorite impacts on sediments.

Comprising polished pebbles of amethyst, tiger's eye, quartz, agate, turquoise, and others. 465 grams total, 21-47 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Comprising six polished smoky quartz pebbles and thirteen clear quartz pebbles. 248 grams total, 23-34 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Tympanic bone from the inner ear of a whale. 153 grams, 86 mm



From Westmore Park, Virginia, USA. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.VM20; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

A large Otodus obliquus tooth in a display frame. 67 grams total, 12.5 cm including stand



From Germany. From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

A tongue-shaped cut section displaying vibrant yellow colour. 28.56 grams, 51 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.