superb Aquamarine, Quartz and Schorl on Cleavelandite

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2021 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 23, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.

This iconic combination specimen of aquamarine with tourmaline and quartz is a masterpiece of sculptural beauty and quality from the famous Shigar gem deposits. The photos and video say it all, so we will say little here beyond the facts. The specimen has NO repairs, NO damage, and ALL THREE important crystals are pristine and undamaged. The matrix is the sparkly, crystallized albite that is most rare from here, not the usual chalky, chunky, pale white feldspar we usually see. The whole piece glitters and sparkles. The aquamarine is transparent, gem clear, water clear mostly. The Quartz is ALSO gem transparent, particularly when looked at from the side - this is more obvious in person, as the camera has trouble with the clarity there. The tourmaline is dark, but sharp and dramatic, jet black in contrast to the other species here. Seeing these crystals in such a geometric juxtaposition is simply striking. And, with no repairs or restorations, is practically a miracle for something in this size range from here. This is a stunning, sparkling, important pristine specimen with huge significance for what it is, so far beyond the average and with great future upside. It is in the best possible condition and that is rare, for combination specimens from here.  It comes with a custom lucite base and is from the private collection of an anonymous dealer who has traveled there many times, and kept this from travels over a decade ago, Donated to the Symposium auction. Previously valued, $25,000-plus in the longheld owner's collection (and from a single owner, who bought it in Pakistan a long time ago). It is, quite truly, special.