Beryl var: Aquamarine on Albite

Item Description

The well-known and certainly prolific gem crystal-bearing pegmatite localities in the high mountains of Pakistan have produced what are inarguably among the finest examples of Aquamarine in the world. It's honestly a bit staggering to think how much good material has been found over the last 30+ years and some of the top pieces found within the last few years are among the finest matrix Aquamarine specimens in existence Most people associate Pakistani Aquas with the Shigar Valley, and this piece is a great example of said material. This attractive and showy small cabinet piece features a single, sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich blue color, hexagonal crystal of Aquamarine measuring 4.2 cm which is associated with golden Muscovite sitting atop Albite. The basal termination of the Aqua has a very slightly skeletal appearance, with smaller basal faces that are "studded" in the center, and the brown hue is not dirt, it's actually a bit of embedded Muscovite. No major damage anywhere outside of matrix, where it detached from the pocket wall. A great quality, showy display specimen of this classic material from Shigar. Valued $2,500.
From the collection of Bill ("Burma Bill") Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer (Pala International) as well as a miner and collector. Bill traveled the world for decades in search of fine gems and minerals, and was directly involved in the in-person acquisition and importation of superb specimens from many important gem-producing localities. You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/