Pezzottaite, named after our friend Dr. Federico Pezzotta of Milan who brought it to light, is the only recently identified new species of beryl (2003). It is a red beryl with unique color due to Cesium, apparently. Large crystals were few and far between, and none have been found since 2005. This is a superb, complete crystal except only for a small contacted notch at bottom, and with robust color. It is also highly translucent, more so than the photos indicate because we did not want to add too much backlighting, but with any decent backlighting you really can see this is extremely translucent. Many crystals of this size were cut into cabochons which show a striking color and often a catseye pattern. This crystal is 23 grams. Shown here both with slight backlighting, and without.Joe Budd Photos.

Pezzottaite, named after our friend Dr. Federico Pezzotta of Milan who brought it to light, is the only recently identified new species of beryl (2003). It is a red beryl with unique color due to Cesium, apparently. Large crystals were few and far between, and none have been found since 2005. This is a superb, complete crystal with robust color. Many crystals of this size were cut into cabochons which show a striking color and often a catseye pattern. This crystal is 11 grams. Shown here both with slight backlighting, and without.Joe Budd Photos.

A MAJOR specimen from this old mine, dated to the Colorado gold rush era of the 1880s. It is complete all around and there are no repairs. People knowledgeable about such gold specimens have indicated to me that the rarity of this piece, in such a size and quality range, is not to be underestimated: it is perhaps one of only a half dozen surviving golds of this magnitude. This piece has superb history and provenance, which will be disclosed upon purchase. These are not massive golds - at 98 grams, it should go to th eknowledgeable collector who appreciates the rarity value of such a historic piece, and is not for those who need heft to feel a gold has value.  For 2006-2011 it was in the touring exhibit "GOLD!", organized by the American Museum of Natural History. This was seen over 5 years of travelling exhibition in Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Denver, Anchorage, Tokyo's Mingei Museum, and others. Joe Budd Photos.

I bought this from the little crystal collection in the office of a prominent gem dealer, who had himself got this down in Colombia years ago. It is a very sharp, bright, rich green crystal of emerald with glassy lustre and good translucency. The front is pristine and perfect. The sides and back are contacted, so it slants in and is not completely symmetric around the backside. Nevertheless, it sure looks like it is more pricey and more big, from the front view - hence you get a LOT of emerald for the price, with this specimen. It just glows on a shelf. Joe Budd Photos.