Blue Alkali-rich Beryl

Item Description

This is a dramatic and unusually robust cluster of tabular, lustrous and translucent, deep blue alkali-rich beryl crystals, to 1.9 cm across. The edge-on display angle is dramatic. Although not elegant in structure, this piece has a good impact for the size and color of the crystals facing front. These were originally thought to be Rosterite or Vorobyevite, and some labels still call them these other rare species or even aquamarine, but further analysis by Dr. Federico Pezzotta confirmed they are more properly labelled as alkali-rich beryls - a mineralogical oddity. The theory is that the weird composition distorts growth, giving these unusual crystal shapes. Anyways, only a few pockets have come out over the years, and the first ones were priced as if they were gold! This will likely go at a relative bargain compared to going rates. Few are found today, and this is from the large 2014 pocket.