MIX18-70
Diopside with Grossular Garnet
Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Small Cabinet, 7.7 x 4.4 x 3.7 cm
SOLD

An astounding, gemmy, light green, prismatic diopside crystal is the centerpiece for this lovely specimen and it is accented by numerous other diopside crystals along with sparkling, gemmy, cinnamon-red grossular garnet crystals at the base. The diopside "monolith" measures 5.8 cm in length and 1.6 cm across and is mostly gemmy so you can see that inside it contains numerous green-tan, needle-like inclusions of byssolite. An exceptionally aesthetic piece! This is a true rarity in such quality from this region, or any other. Honestly, it LOOKS like a giant sized version of the old Italian classics we are used to seeing in much smaller size, complete to the garnet association. If Italian, and old, you could add an extra zero to the price and sell in Europe. These things simply do not exist in such quality, and this piece was a surprise when I saw it in the hands of a Pakistani dealer. If I had seen in a photo, I'd think it was from an old Italian collection! Complete all around.