Emeralds in Mica Schist (old classic) ex American Museum & Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Lustrous, translucent/gemmy, rich chrome-green hexagonal emerald crystals are richly and dramatically set on all sides of the sculptural sparkly foliated mica schist matrix on this outstanding old-timer from the Urals. The longest crystal is 2.4 cm and the widest crystal is 1.4 cm. A very rich piece, as there are at least 20 emeralds in the matrix. This is undoubtedly old-time material from the Imperial Russia era. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 1635 (dating to the 1950s or early 60s). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). Kay's label refers to a nearby river valley where the emeralds were found, but it is not the actual locality. The note on the back says this was from A.M. Parcel # 7 (the American Museum). Valued at $1500-2000 for richness, quality, age and provenance.