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Note applicable MinID and associated photo links to MinDat for select specimens in the shop!
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Little Gem 〰️ Black Pine 〰️ Classics 〰️ Russia 〰️ Antique Specimens 〰️ Worldwide Delights 〰️
Amethyst Scepter - Little Gem Mine
Freshly Harvested Crystals
Crystal Park
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The Burlington Mine in Butte, Montana, developed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as part of the rapid expansion that followed the region’s early copper discoveries. It was one of many properties absorbed into the industrial network controlled by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, which drove large-scale underground development across the district. Workings at the Burlington followed steep, mineralized veins at depth, contributing to Butte’s reputation as a major source of copper and associated metals. Over time, operations shifted and declined as richer ores were depleted and mining methods changed throughout the district. By the mid-twentieth century the mine had ceased activity, but it remains part of the broader historical framework of the Butte mining district.
This specimen features a vug of pale pink yet gemmy rhodochrosite crystals with a lesser amount of milky quartz points in the periphery. The specimen has been saw formatted, as many of the specimens from this site are just small vugs in otherwise large rock mass. The formatting does allow two excellent display angles however. Rhodochrosite from Butte is difficult to come by as good crystals, this is a great opportunity at an affordable piece!
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(3.1 × 2.9 × 1.5 in - 7.8 × 7.3 × 3.8 cm) 5.7oz / 160g
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A famous find in the 1970s by the late Bud Erhle, the signature calcite “fingers" of Carter County have long been a sought-after classic for collectors. Formed in concretion in the Pierre and bear paw shale, there are actually apparently several locales for the material. The crystal forms are often coated in a thick late-stage crust that is only removed by vinegar etching. Baryte, and selenite are known to form as well in the same concretions, which on occasion have fossils.
This is a classic miniature example of the historic and classic calcite “fingers” from Carter County. No damage is present to the crystal. the crusts are still present, indicating this piece to be natural entirely and not vinegar treated, truly a rarity. Non permanently mounted to acrylic.
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(1.7 × 0.9 × 0.8 in - 4.3 × 2.2 × 2.0 cm) 0.8oz / 22g (with base)
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The Little Gem Mine was discovered by local gold prospectors in 1886. An article in "The Mineralogist" written in 1941 describes the travel from Butte by covered wagon, to the Nine Mile Inn, then subsequent travel to the deposit where collectors "filled their packs with amethyst" during the original find. In 1958 a Claim was filed by Oregon Geologist Jerry Gray. Gray worked the surface sporadically for 30+ years, brought in heavy equipment to build road access in the early 1990's. His goal was to create a secure working environment protected from trespassers. He tunneled about 100 feet through solid granite to reach the core, where he then put a raise. The narrow raise follows an aplite zone upwards and east; the raise opened a series of pockets that he extended into a drift, which ran parallel to the core. The present owner, Russ Hage, purchased the claim after Gray's death. Hage and working partner Mike Uphus together brought to light innumerable fine specimens. In 2013 the old drift in aplite was de-roofed and its access buried. In summer of 2022, local prospector Paul Senn took over mine management working side by side with owner Russ Hage. Since 2010 it has been worked from the surface, primarily by hand aided by small scale blasting and an excavator. Current work has exposed many pockets containing fine amethyst scepters and jacare' texture amethyst. Jacare' is a Portuguese term denoting alligator skin texture.
This specimen is a top tier scepter group for its size. one main scepter head overgrows a remarkably disproportionate black stem. Another scepter intergrows and penetrates the base, with a freely nucleated amethyst sidecar. The complexity of such specimens is mesmerizing. The internal quality of the main scepter head is remarkable, with rich color and quality present. This specimen comes from the Oil Change Pocket, harvested in 2025.
MinID: EK8-H2Y
Photo Gallery: Little Gem Mine, Boulder Batholith, Jefferson County, Montana, USA
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(3.1 × 1.4 × 1.5 in - 7.8 × 3.5 × 3.8 cm) 3.3oz / 94g
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