Albite (rare GEM PURPLE crystals!)

Khyber Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Small Cabinet, 7.5 x 4.3 x 3.2 cm
Start Time: 12/09/2021 8:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 12/16/2021 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $450

Item Description

From a very limited discovery in 2013, these specimens hit the market and disappeared as quickly as they arrived. There has never been any clarity on where they were specifically found, I've seen one report that they were found at a place called Taitara (Tatara), while another mentions Mulla Ghori. With that said, these are some of the most impressive examples of the species ever found, and that's saying something considering that it is found in thousands of localities around the world. The three most significant aspects of these crystals is that they are notably thick (not thin blades) along with being incredibly gemmy(!), but what really catches one's attention is the fact that they are PURPLE in color! I've seen transparent Albite blades from Brazil, but they were colorless. I've seen thick Albite crystals from plenty of localities, but they were always opaque. The fact that these crystals from Pakistan show such superb quality and color is truly mind-blowing. This small cabinet display specimen features several sharp, lustrous, GEM QUALITY to translucent, RARE PURPLE COLOR, prismatic crystals of Albite measuring up to 1.2 cm long which are sitting aesthetically on white Feldspar and black Augite matrix. Most of the Albite crystals are in great shape, but there are some tiny rough spots here and there, which to me is perfectly forgivable considering the supreme quality and exceptionally beautiful color. The piece shows glowing electric fuchsia fluorescence under UV light. If you collect gem crystals, Feldspar species or minerals from Pakistan, do NOT miss out on this one as you can't get them on the market anymore. We found a small stash of a few of these specimens in our storage, and once they're gone, that's it. Priced at $1,850 in the inventory.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$450 12/16/2021 5:40:38 pm (CST)
$445 12/16/2021 5:40:38 pm (CST)
$415 12/16/2021 5:39:10 pm (CST)
$405 12/16/2021 5:39:10 pm (CST)
$290 12/16/2021 5:38:25 pm (CST)
$280 12/16/2021 5:38:25 pm (CST)
$220 12/16/2021 4:25:32 pm (CST)
$210 12/16/2021 4:25:32 pm (CST)
$160 12/16/2021 4:21:26 pm (CST)
$150 12/16/2021 4:21:26 pm (CST)
$122 12/16/2021 9:31:05 am (CST)
$112 12/16/2021 6:27:57 am (CST)
$104 12/16/2021 6:27:57 am (CST)
$94 12/11/2021 12:42:12 pm (CST)
$84 12/11/2021 12:29:09 pm (CST)
$79 12/11/2021 12:29:09 pm (CST)
$74 12/11/2021 11:49:29 am (CST)
$64 12/11/2021 10:44:18 am (CST)
$54 12/11/2021 10:44:07 am (CST)
$49 12/11/2021 10:44:07 am (CST)
$38 12/11/2021 10:30:41 am (CST)
$33 12/11/2021 10:30:41 am (CST)
$32 12/11/2021 10:30:27 am (CST)
$27 12/11/2021 10:30:27 am (CST)
$10 12/11/2021 1:47:07 am (CST)