The Aesthetics Underground

The Aesthetics Underground Fine mineral specimens, crystals, gemstones, and lapidary art from around the world.

Purveyor to scrutinizing collectors, metaphysical practitioners, gem connoisseurs, and discerning decorators.

Arsenopyrite is a member of the sulphide family, and is in essence, pyrite with a high arsenic content. When heated or s...
08/11/2026

Arsenopyrite is a member of the sulphide family, and is in essence, pyrite with a high arsenic content. When heated or struck it actually gives off a garlicy odour. It is a principal ore of arsenic, and is often an indicator of the presence of gold in the ore deposit. This specimen from the Huanggang mine in China measures 10 x 8 x 6 cm, and features mounds of lustrous small crystals in a cockscomb effect. $225 Cdn (approx $160 US)

For a nice splash of colour in your collection perhaps consider this very affordable specimen: Chrysocolla over malachit...
07/29/2026

For a nice splash of colour in your collection perhaps consider this very affordable specimen: Chrysocolla over malachite, with secondary white plancheite(?) and sprinkles of black heterogenite(?). The chrysocolla and malachite form in oxidized zones of copper deposits. This specimen is from one of the most prolific sources at present, in D.R. Congo. 14 x 10.5 x 4.5 cm. $160 Cdn (approx. $115 US) RESERVED

Today's mineral post features a set of Myanmar (Burmese) rubellites that show some of the unusual morphology found in th...
07/21/2026

Today's mineral post features a set of Myanmar (Burmese) rubellites that show some of the unusual morphology found in the mines near Mogok. Bubbular (my word!) crusts, interlocking triangles, and conjoined prismatic crystal 'cauliflowers' are types that have been found beside the classic 'mushroom' type. These were obtained on my first trip to Myanmar more than 20 years ago. For scale, the plexi bases on the outside are one inch on edge. Individually left to right, the prices are $275, $100, and $350 Cdn. (approx. $200, $70, and $250 US) For the set - $600 Cdn ($425 US) (specimen on left is reserved)

Recent years have seen an unprecedented interest in fluorite for some reason. What used to be a go-to affordable species...
06/20/2026

Recent years have seen an unprecedented interest in fluorite for some reason. What used to be a go-to affordable species, has seen prices rise in recent years, sometimes astronomically, especially for US specimens. But Chinese material is readily available and prices are reasonable except for extraordinary pieces. This fluorite, one that I sold many years ago, and recently purchased back from my original customer, is from the famous Shangbao mine. It measures 11 x 7 x 6 cm. $175 Cdn. (approx $125 US) SOLD

Beryl is a mineral, (beryllium aluminum silicate) that is classified and named by its colours. Blue is aquamarine, green...
06/13/2026

Beryl is a mineral, (beryllium aluminum silicate) that is classified and named by its colours. Blue is aquamarine, green is emerald, yellow/gold is heliodor, pink/salmon is morganite, red beryl (very rare) is known by that in itself, and what we have today is colourless beryl known as goshenite. It usually forms tabular crystals in granitic pegmatites. This specimen shows a rough hexagonal form that has undergone natural etching due to solution temperature changes and then recrystallized. 5.5 x 4.5 x 2 cm. $200 Cdn (approx $140 US) SOLD

Rhodochrosites are sought after by virtually every mineral collector. Because of this demand, coupled with few worldwide...
06/01/2026

Rhodochrosites are sought after by virtually every mineral collector. Because of this demand, coupled with few worldwide locations of note, prices are generally sky high. The exception are specimens from the Wutong mine in China, where modest specimens remain affordable. This double-sided plate features a pleasant mix of pastel pink flattened rhodo rhombs and tiny prismatic quartz crystals. 6 x 5.5 x 1 cm thick. $140 Cdn (approx $100 US)

Classic calcite from the Sweetwater mine in Missouri. 20 cm high. $200 Cdn (approx $140 US)
05/23/2026

Classic calcite from the Sweetwater mine in Missouri. 20 cm high. $200 Cdn (approx $140 US)

A colourful addition to any collection is cobalto-calcite, with cobalt replacing some of the calcium atoms, resulting in...
05/13/2026

A colourful addition to any collection is cobalto-calcite, with cobalt replacing some of the calcium atoms, resulting in the various shades of pink. This specimen from Bou Azzer, Morocco measures 7.5 x 6 x 3.5 cm. - $125Cdn (approx $90 US) SOLD

A recent find in the D.R. Congo has produced dioptase crystals with malachite pseudomorphs. To the best of my knowledge ...
05/05/2026

A recent find in the D.R. Congo has produced dioptase crystals with malachite pseudomorphs. To the best of my knowledge the mineral that has been replaced hasn't been determined. This specimen measures 7 x 6 x 3 cm. $300 Cdn. (approx $220 US)

Just released from my personal collection: Amethyst flower from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nothing special as far as col...
04/24/2026

Just released from my personal collection: Amethyst flower from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nothing special as far as colour goes, but huge crystal 'petals' for this type of formation. 10 cm plus in diameter. $350 Cdn (approx. $250 US) (SOLD - that didn’t last long! 😁)

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