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Mineral Specimens with Beryl
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This is the largest really fine specimen in what was said to be about 90% of the pocket contents, which came to Denver show of 2009. This pocket will be remembered for the robust, intense blue color, quite unlike anything from Pakistan or Brazil; and a combination with schorl matrix. These crystals are stunning in their richness and abundance on this well-trimmedpiece of matrix. The largest doubly-terminated crystal is 9 x 2.7 x 2 cm in size, with several smaller ones present as well. All major crystals are terminated and pristine, save only a few nicks here or there of no consequence. The two peripheral aquamarines to left and right, smaller, have a little more edge wear on their terminations but you have to go looking to see it. The overall look of this piece just screams COLOR; and it also has a 3-dimensional jackstraw look to it, in person, that is hard to convey in photos. Overall, this has some of the most robust, deep blue color I have seen before in an Erongo specimen, with a translucent and deeply colored body and a gemmy termination atop. The intense color, and large size, combined with lustre and a contrasting schorl association, all conspire to make this a special pocket considered by those who saw them recently at the Denver show to be among the best aqua finds here in about a decade of quite sporadic aquamarine mining. This particular specimen is big, about the size of half a volleyball, and dominates a display case.
This is a superb, dramatic specimen that while not the biggest, somehow seems to have more oomph than most pieces. It has deeper color, and a more clean aesthetic style, than others from the find that I have seen. The crystal is freestanding, complete all around. The color as you see here is spot on, very intense. Also , it is nearly pristine with just the most minor of edge wear - but more so than nearly any other large crystal in the lot. Most of the more exposed crystals from this pocket, and locale, have significantly more chatter to them. The lustre is excellent especially for this locality, from which most aquas are relatively more dull. The symmetry, sharp form, and straight vertical display here make this, for my taste, one of the best in its size class out of 500 pieces or so from the pocket which I have seen. A premium price compared to others of its size, admittedly, but depending on your personal style and what you wish to see in these aquas, it may be "the one". JOE BUDD PHOTO
Intensely colored, glassy and gemmy aquamarine crystals, to 5.25 cm in length, are associated with lustrous black schorl crystals, the largest of which is 3.5 cm in length and is also doubly-terminated. The aquas are more deeply colored blue and less gemmy for most of their length. The final approx. 1 cm of their length culminating at the termination is transparent and a lighter blue color but very much more gemmy than the body. A few aquas exhibit slight wear at the terminal edges, admittedly, hence a lower price is attached.
This combo specimen features at least 15 intensely colored, glassy and gemmy aquamarine crystals, to 3.0 cm in length. All major ones except one crystal are terminated, though a few minor crystals are not. Several lustrous, black, schorl crystals, to 2.0 cm in length , are closely associated with the aquas. The aqua crystals are more deeply colored blue but less gemmy for most of their length.The last 1 cm including the terminal faces are more glassy and gemmy, quite remarkable for the locale. Only the slightest wear to some crystal edges can be seen, however the overall effect of this specimen can not be diminished by it. It is a very 3-dimensional, radial cluster, with lots of appeal especially in this price range, I think
This is another fine combo specimen on feldspar but with really different style... The highlight of this piece is an intensely colored, glassy and gemmy, doubly-terminated, blue aquamarine crystal that is 5 cm across. It has associated "rabbit ears" as accents on either side! As we have seen with other aquas in this lot, the aqua terminations are gemmier and slightly less intense blue than the centers which are less gemmy but a deeper blue. The main aqua crystal is pristine while the smaller ones have minor wear at the terminal edges. The overall aesthetics of this piece, the perch atop, are striking
Perched on lustrous black schorl crystals, to 3.0 cm in length, are two glassy and gemmy, intensely-colored aquamarine crystals to 4.0 cm in length. The largest aqua and the largest schorl are both doubly terminated. Minor wear to the terminal edges of one aqua is relatively insignificant but a few broken small crystals in the middle need to be noted. Still, a very attractive piece, with stark contrast and unusually good color for the locale.
Glassy and gemmy, intensely-colored aquamarine crystals to 5.2 cm in length are intimately associated with lustrous black schorl, in crystals to 2.7 cm in length. The largest aqua is also doubly terminated. The large aqua is pristine as are the two smallest aquas,so the piece overall is in remarkably good condition. It has very elegant aesthetics, emphasizing the contrast of form and of color
This specimen is highlighted by a gemmy, intensely-colored aquamarine crystal measuring 3.25 cm in length. The terminal edges of the aqua have minor abrasions which are unfortunate but not visually detracting in any case (unless you look really close). The aqua is snugly nested in lustrous black schorl
Perched on a matrix of white feldspar is a cluster of glassy and gemmy, intensely colored, blue aquamarine crystals, to 4.6 cm in length along with a cluster of lustrous, black, schorl crystals to 3.5 cm in length. Both the largest aqua and largest schorl are doubly terminated. Some contact or damage to the terminal faces of the other aquas on this specimen does exist. Nevertheless, its an attractive piece with excellent color and appeal
Crystallized, white feldspar is the matrix for this specimen which has a cluster of lustrous, black, schorl crystals to 2.5 cm across, upon which are emplaced glassy and gemmy, intensely-colored aquamarine crystals to 3.25 cm in length. The overall stark contrast of crystal form, color, and texture is very interesting. A druse of bubbly hyalite opal covers a portion of the schorl crystals. Like many pieces in the pocket, regrettably the terminations of the aquas do exhibit minor abrasions; but in context, I can live with it for the overall aesthetics featuring such well-defined and isolated crystals.
This is an intergrown specimen of white feldspar, with aquamarine and schorl clusters. The aquas, to 3.25 cm in length, are glassy and gemmy, and are intensely colored blue. The large crystal sis 1.5 x 1.25 cm wide atop. The schorls are lustrous, black and reach 3.0 cm across. Minor wear to some of the aqua terminations is not significant but it is admittedly present, as with many in this pocket. Overal though, this presents a very fine, 3-dimensional display view with teh aqua starkly contrastin gto the plate of schorls beneath
A dramatic, elongated aquamarine is aesthetically perched on an ivory colored feldspar crystal, angling into the middle. It is accented by clusters of schorl and aquamarine, which make for wonderful contrast and serve to enhance the freestanding 3-dimensionality above. The aquas are glassy and gemmy, and are intensely colored a vivid blue. Moreover, the largest aqua which measures 5.7 cm in length, is also doubly-terminated and pristine. It is in fact among the more perfect aquas in this lot. The schorl crystals are lustrous, black and reach 1.5 cm in length. The only possible downgrade here are a few very minor breaks to associated schorls and the downward-pointing aquamarine mixed in them. Overall, and on the business top end of the piece, this is a killer. Very showy specimen!
This is a very sculptural, unlikely assemblage: A cluster of aquamarine crystals exhibits "en echelon" growth on smaller schorl crystals and a bit of matrix host (ivory colored feldspar). The two largest aqua crystals, to 5.5 cm in length, are doubly terminated, and all are glassy and gemmy with an intense blue color. The schorls are lustrous, black, and reach 1.5 cm in length. Overall condition is good with only minor dings on the terminal faces of the aquas. Aesthetic and elegant to the point that it looks glued together...but is not.
This is a textbook prismatic, glassy and gemmy, richly colored, blue aqua crystal with associated tiny black schorls at the base. The top third of the aqua is totally transparent. Tiny peripheral chips on the termination in no way affect the beauty of the aqua, but are noted anyhow here and the piece is priced down a bit accordingly - though still very impressive in person!
Two glassy and gemmy, rich blue aqua crystals to 2.2 cm in length, soar skyward out of a matrix of white feldspar. Other unterminated aquas and tiny black schorl crystals are embedded in the matrix Each aqua has a couple of micro dings on the terminal faces for the very picky to note, but these are absolutely of no significance in context to this Very aesthetic piece!
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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