Afghanite (fine crystals)

Item Description

Afghanite is found in about two dozen world localities according to the entry on mindat.org, but notably it's rare to find fine quality display specimens. The only significant pieces (at least those featuring eye-visible crystals on matrix) are those from Ladjuar Medam, Afghanistan. Afghanite is a rare complex alumosilicate, and one of the more obscure members of the Cancrinite group. This specimen hosts a couple sharp, well-formed, deep midnight blue, hexagonal crystals of Afghanite measuring up to 3.2 cm on massive white Calcite matrix. There is a contacted crystal on the front of the specimen, showing that these crystals are zoned with Sapphire blue color in the center surrounded by a nearly colorless zone, with the dark midnight blue color on the exterior. A very good display specimen of a species that is only found in good sized specimens from one part of the world. Valued $2,400.