An impressive ruby specimen from the classic ruby mines here which date back even to Roman times. Large crystals in matrix are rare. Large GOOD crystals in matrix are almost unheard of. This is a rare example of such a piece, with a dominating 3 x 3 x 1.2-cm crystal sticking straight up and completely exposed on either side (a risky bit of prep work, that was!). The crystal is pristine and complete. As you can see it is also highly translucent and glows when backlit. This specimen was formerly in the Joe Freilich collection built by Dave Wilber, which was on short notice auctioned at Sotheby's in 2001. It was in Wally Mann's collection here in Dallas by 2003, where it has remained til now. Comes with custom base though I have to say it displays equally well from EITHER side.