Aquamarine (84.19 grams) (OLD specimen) (ex Fred Pough Collection)

Item Description

A fantastic old classic group of GEM Aquamarine crystals from the old locality called "Marimba" years ago. This name does not seem to be listed in any database, and I can only find a few references to "Marimba" in old textbooks, but I can't find any modern name for it. With that said, long before Pakistan and Namibia were producing fine matrix specimens of Aquamarine, Brazil was one of the few places in the world where collectors could obtain ANY gem quality crystals of the material. This "Blue City" features three predominant, sharp, lustrous, VERY GEMMY, light blue color, hexagonal prisms of Aquamarine free of matrix. All three crystals have smooth basal terminations with first and second order pyramdial modfications. The main crystal is the center shows a unique and alluring hollow "tube" inclusion that runs about 80% of the way through the crystal, and actually breaches the termination creating a little hole in the top. The quality is superb and crystals are smooth and glistening and just glow with color. There are a few minor "flea bites" here and there, but this piece more than likely dates back 60+ years, and are seldom seen in such large aesthetics examples like this. I don't see any major damage, save the bottom where it was removed from the pocket wall, and the spot of note is a fracture BELOW the surface of the second largest crystal, but nothing that actually would count as damage. Along with the excellent quality, form, gemminess and color, this specimen was in collection of the legendary mineralogist and curator of physical geology and mineralogy at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Dr. Frederick Pough (the namesake for Poughite and the man who named/described iconic species like Brazilianite). Fred's old hand-written number "193" can be seen on the reverse side of the specimen. The history of the piece make it a real treasure, and virtually impossible to find on the market. On top of that, the specimen comes with a free custom lucite display base. Valued at $4,500 in the inventory and well-worth it considering the tremendous pedigree and overall quality. Specimen weigh is 84.19 grams.