MUN16-01
Pink Topaz on Quartz
Pedra Preta Mine, 18 km north of Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
Cabinet, 10.0 x 8.5 x 5.0 cm
Ex. Carlos Barbosa; Drs. Raul and Helen Madrid
SOLD
Pink Topaz from Brumado, on quartz like this, came only from one pocket long ago. This particular specimen was said at the time to be the finest of them, and was long in the personal collection of legendary dealer Carlos Barbosa (now deceased). The crystals are small, but gemmy and sparkly, and they have a pleasing and unique pink color in person that is hard to convey, and still catch the luster and color of the elongated, unusual quartz points. This specimen was published twice: actually IN the landmark article on Brumado in Mineralogical Record volume 9 (1978), #3 (page 198, fig 5); and another instance. The specimen overall is subtle and, from a distance, just a quartz with unusual sparkles on it. Up close, each little crystal really stands out distinctly and dramatically. The specimens seems to have been sold at least a decade ago, and was most recently in the collection of Drs. Raul and Helen Madrid of Napa area, California.