Azurite (Gressman Coll.)

Item Description

A sharp, beautiful azurite thumbnail with exquisite form, luster, and color, this is almost a megakiller. It is complete all around, pristine, 360 degrees front and back, except for one minor imperfection that is the difference between apparent killer, and a true megakiller thumbnail specimen. On close inspection, and you really do have to look, there is a contact at the intersection of the big crystal and the right tip of the smaller crystal, where there is irregularity and roughness (up close, you can see it, and a loss of luster). But, from more than 6 inches away, it looks quite perfect and has the shape and color that just blow you away. So, it is a balance - you get most qualities you would want in a perfect thumbnail, only not quite the final degree of perfection, but it sure looks amazing. From the private collection of Tom Gressman, donated in support of the Mineralogical Record at Auction.