Beryl var. Heliodor ex James Carter

Item Description

This significant, large cylindrical heliodor crystal is a total jewel, gemmy and transparent throughout, and fully terminated at each end! The terminations are flattish, so the crystal looks like a squashed barrel in shape, or a bulging cylinder. It is complete, pristine, perfect 360 degrees around. This is not just a "gemmy" heliodor crystal, it is rather a "GEM CRYSTAL" in a literal sense that it is cuttable throughout. James Carter was the head of University of Texas at Dallas geology department at a time when collaborative research was starting to be done with Russia (and Ukraine at the time), and hosted several academics on their trips to the USA. On one such trip in 1988, the Soviets brought over a suitcase full of these gem crystals, to trade and sell. James had first pick, and took some of the best in terms of quality! Other local Dallas collectors bought big ones, but James chased perfection and really did well. The color and luster of all of his pieces is top level, and remains so today. The color on this is a really good heliodor yellow hue, actually yellow-green but not with as much green component as modern crystals seem to have. Much beryl around the world is heated to remove the golden to green shades that result from natural radiation in order to turn the crystal into blue aquamarine for the popular jewelry and gemstone markets. (The blue color is from Fe2+ whereas the golden-yellow color is from Fe3+ that forms from natural gradual irradiation in the ground, and can be reduced to create a permanent color change). This is a world class specimen in its size range but also... Considerable Gem Rough value here with 289 grams of 100% transparent and impeccable carving or gem grade crystal...(and the heated aquamarine from this material gives intense blue color and has sold for $50-60 per gram), giving a bottom to any valuation.  It is STUNNING.