Diaspore (twinned)

Item Description

Diaspore crystals showing gemminess and this classic, textbook V-twinning style have been known from Turkey since the 60s and maybe before; and are a modern classic of the 1900s. Here is a fine, balanced crystal showing unusually equal development of both twins - this is important, as usually they looked like checkmarks with one side oddly bigger than the other. Color is a perfect old style olive green! This is from old finds, and was purchased at a Munich show in 1987 from an old collection. The style of this robust and transparent twin is very different than modern material you might have seen. Recently, with the huge volume of money and interest of the gemstone material from this region, now called "czarite" or other trade names, diaspore mining has really rebounded and produced pockets of stunning gem crystals with sharper V twins, although mostly more slender and gracile in the Thumbnail sizing. So, this has a distinct appearance that makes it stand out and nicely complement any more modern specimen (of which there are many, admittedly - though different). Exceptional specimen, long a pride in the Schauss collection.