TUC102-14
Peridot
St John's Island (Zabargad), Red Sea, Egypt
Thumbnail, 1.8 x 1.4 x 0.6 cm
SOLD
A sharp, very gemmy, crystal from the OLD classic locality for gem peridot. Literally the oldest, perhaps dating back to the time of Cleopatra and the Egyptian Empires, anyhow. This island mine is now submerged underwater and inaccessible, gone forever. Specimes can still be obtained in old collections from time to time, and their combination of form, termination style, and olive color mark them as Egyptian as opposed to the modern Pakistani material. This is a superb thumbnail, large and gemmy, and complete all around. Formerly in the often-displayed gem thumbnails collection of Jim and Shelly Houran.