Beryl (Var: Morganite), Elbaite

This is classic old material (30-50 years old, probably) and specimens are VERY hard to come by in any American market. It is, on its own merit, a SUPER specimen with characteristic pink color that is rather different in hue from more recent Afghani material. This specimen has several fat, translucent crystals that are brighter and more gemmy in person than they appear here. Bits of colorful elbaite (if broken) and lepidolite add some color contrast. The piece is complete all around and consists of a nice arrangement on matrix. Most Queen morganites are for some reason contacted or buried in matrix. FREESTANDING CRYSTALS like these are exceedingly uncommon. Ex. Barlow Collection specimen (self-collected by him in the pocket as described in his book). Funny enough Irv Brown got it from Barlow and traded it to Chuck Houser, who later traded it back to Irv when he made up a more systematic collection and needed one...they just aren't out there to be had except by such incestuous San Diego ties, these days! 5.7 x 5.5 x 5 cm



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Photo added: 30th Mar 2005