Aquamarine on Quartz with Albite

Item Description

When it comes to Aquamarine, Pakistan is the most productive country for specimens in the modern age of mineral collecting. Some of the very finest quality Aquamarine specimens come from the various pegmatites in the Pakistani Himalayas, especially in the Shigar Valley. Matrix specimens of Aquamarine are stilll fairly uncommon in the world, and to find an association piece such as this is a real treat. The piece hosts a solitary, euhedral, gentle blue color, prismatic crystal of Aquamarine measuring 3.8 cm long which is protruding from a hefty matrix comprising, sharp, well-formed, distinct, lightly frosted crystals of Smoky Quartz (some are doubly-terminated!) which are associated with contrasting snow-white crystals of Albite and minor Muscovite. Rarely does one see Aquamarine on doubly-terminated Quartz crystal matrix from this area, but to have the addition of the white Albite is the icing on the cake. The great color contrast, associations and overall size of the piece make it a very eye-cathcing and worthwhile specimen of this classic material. I have seen similar specimens retailing for as much as $5000 on the retail market as recently as the Denver Show, and this is a great opportunity for somebody to acquire a larger sized piece which would display beautifully as you can see from the photos.