Natural History - Large Historic 'Brazil' Smokey Quartz Crystal Specimen

Comprising three trilobites, two Morocops (Barrandeops) sp. trilobites and one Hollardops mesacristata on a matrix. 279 grams total, 45-73 mm



From the Atlas Mountains, Hamar Laghdad Formation, Pragian, (Alnif), Morocco. From an old Oxford, UK, paleontological collection.

A pair of Charonosaurus sp. hadrosaur eggs on a matrix retaining evidence of the original leathery surface. 8.85 kg, 27.5 cm



Acquired 1983-1990. Private collection, Hove, UK.

Hadrosaurs were large dinosaurs, growing up to 10 metres in length, belonging to the ‘Duck-Billed’ group of dinosaurs. They are considered the ‘herd animal’ of the Cretaceous, having been found buried together in their thousands. Dinosaur egg fossils are known from approximately two-hundred sites around the word, particularly in Asia. This nest comes from the Xixia Formation, Henan region of China, which produces some of the best preserved eggs in the world. These eggs can yield entire embryos within them, making them an essential tool for understanding the biology of these creatures.

The large nugget with metallic lustre; supplied in a display box. 235 grams total, 58 mm



From Great Rock mine, Devon, UK. Collected in person in 1964. From the private mineral collection of Stephen Atkinson, Harpenden, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the vendor giving details of him collecting these minerals throughout his life.

The mineral was an important ingredient in the rust-resistant paint used on Royal Navy ships and bridges. Shiny ore has also been used in glaze for pottery, decorative bricks and tiles giving it a sparkly finish.