Aquamarine on Smoky Quartz (collected in 1968) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

Please note that this specimen is labeled as coming from "Mack Ridge", not the Mack Mine, and I can't find a listing for "Mack Ridge" on any database, so this could be an oversight on the label, or from a small singular dig that wasn't part of the Mack Mine proper. With that said, this piece was collected in 1968 by Bill Larson alongside his mentor Ed Swoboda, which was actually Bill's first dig with Ed after he had graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1967. The piece features a wonderful, GEM QUALITY, sharp, lustrous, soft blue color hexagonal prism of Aquamarine measures 2.4 cm growing into a frosted, but translucent Smoky Quartz crystal. Neither end of the Aqua crystal is terminated, but the quality is still superb, as it's WATER CLEAR in areas. The most significant aspect of the piece is the fact that the Aqua crystal is ON MATRIX, as I can't recall seeing any Aquas on any kind of matrix from the Mack Mine or "Mack Ridge" prior to this piece. A wonderful specimen that held a sentimental value to Bill as he collected it at the age of 23 with the man who would be by his side to collect some world-class pegmatite minerals in the years to come. Value on this one would be around $800-$1000 retail. From the collection of Bill Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill is synonymous with minerals of San Diego County, and owned and operated famous mines such as the Stewart Lithia, the Tourmaline Queen, the Pala Chief and the Himalaya, producing some of the most iconic mineral specimens to come out of the area during the 1970s-1980s. You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/