The legendary mineral dealer Rock H. Currier was a towering figure among his contemporaries. His knowledge of minerals, and particularly localities, was without equal. As a pioneering mineral dealer, Rock went everywhere in his search, no matter how harsh or difficult the conditions, and was instrumental in developing mineral markets in India, Tsumeb, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Russia, China, and Mali, among other places. While gathering specimens for sale, Rock amassed an impressive personal mineral collection, a selection of which features in Bonhams Lapidary Arts and Gems sale in Los Angeles on Monday 26 October. It includes a spectacular gold jewellery box studded with gems estimated at US$25,000-35,000.

Among other highlights are:

A spectacular spodumene var. kunzite--"a member of the 100 carats club". Kunzite was first found in Pala, California in 1902, and is named after the gemologist George F. Kunz, Tiffany and Co.'s renowned vice president of gemology from 1879 until his death in 1932. The present, superb gem-quality cushion-cut stone, originates from Brazil, the best-known source for the gem. Possessing the right degree of saturation of its stunningly vivid purplish-pink hue, the gemstone weighs approximately 530 carats (106 grammes) and measures 54.5 x 40.4 x 29.1 mm. Estimate: US$20,000-30,000.

An impressive smoky quartz carving depicting dolphins. Carved in China from a single large specimen of highly transparent smoky quartz with a bas relief of three dolphins frolicking in the waves at the termination, above a large polished area which is so highly transparent that one can easily view the reverse intaglio carving of three additional dolphins. Estimate: US$3,000-4,000.

Quartz with phantom from Minas Gerais, Brazil. A large cabinet specimen of hexagonal outline with polished faces and at least two distinct stages of phantoming to the interior. Estimate: US$3,000-4,000.

A large Chrysoprase specimen from Papua New Guinea. Originating from an unusual locality, this large cabinet specimen, of mound formation, is polished to a high gloss revealing a translucent green throughout, laced with brown matrix veining. Estimate:
US$3,000-5,000.

Bonhams Co-consulting Director of Gemology Claudia Florian, said: "Rock Currier was a remarkable man and a great influence in the world of gemology. He collected whatever caught his fancy, whether it was an agate marble, polished piece of quartz, gemstone, or world calibre mineral specimen, it all went into his collection. The lapidary items presented in the auction are what caught his fancy over the course of 60 years and it's a great privilege to have been entrusted with them."

Highlights of the rest of the sale include:

A large cushion-shaped Sapphire displaying a well-saturated Royal Blue colour and excellent lustre. Weighing approximately 19.11 carats and measuring 16.83 x 14.77 x 7.93mm. Estimate: US$200,000-250,000.

A rare Demantoid Garnet Suite from the Ural Mountains, Russia. A magnificent suite of 60 circular, brilliant-cut green garnets to be used as a layout for a necklace, ear pendants and a ring, the largest, weighing 1.66 carats and measuring 6.9 x 4.7 mm, and the smallest, weighing 0.45 carats and measuring 4.66 x 3.17 mm. Total aggregate weight of 58.87 carats. (60). Estimate: US$80,000-100,000.

A large and impressive "nodule" opal (a nobby), having an incredible pinfire play-of-color dominated by reds and orange with minor flashes of green and blue. This is an exceptional opal from Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia with a true black base colour. Weighing approximately 41.40 carats and measuring 37.99 x 22.07 x 7.06 mm. Estimate: US$60,000-80,000.