Aegerine and Microcline on Smoky Quartz

Item Description

Outstanding combination specimen from Mount Malosa in Malawi, where some of the world's finest Aegirine crystals are produced. Visually, this piece is centered on a 5.9 cm tabular Smoky Quartz crystal which is gemmy and doubly-terminated. Near one termination are lustrous, prismatic, green-black Aegirine crystals up to 3.3 cm that jauntily project out from the Smoky. The other termination is decorated by a flattened, euhedral, and white Microline crystal that itself is decorated with small, gemmy Smokies, and looks for all the world like a painter's palette with the Smokies on it. The quality of the individual minerals, as well the architecture and balance of the piece, give this small cabinet specimen a truly wonderful aesthetic. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection.