VLT-23
Beryl Var. Emerald on Calcite
Coscuez Mine, near Muzo, Boyaca Dept., Colombia
Small Cabinet, 6.8 x 6.2 x 4.0 cm
Ex. Dr. Ed David; Russell Behnke
SOLD
A gorgeous small cab specimen featuring the very rare and desirable association of intense gemmy green emeralds on the black calcite, which enhances the green hue of the emeralds visually! The emeralds measure about 1.5 cm each and have not only top color (as with the above specimen) but a glassy luster that is off the charts, literally the glaassiest surfaces I have seen on an emerald. They are solidly anchored in the calcite, and fully terminated. Pieces of this caliber are uncommon to say the least, and you often have to worry about fakes (though not in this case, as you can see how the calcites overgrew and anchor in the emeralds). Ed had very few gem crystals, and favored beryls - this was one of just 3 emeralds in the colletion, and was purchased by him in 1997. To this day, so far as I know, few black-calcite-matrix pieces have come out since then.