gem Morganite (classic locale)

Item Description

A sculptural, complete and pristine heavily etched gem morganite crystal with classic light pink color from the famous White Queen Mine. The gemminess is clearly evident beneath the high luster and complex etching. This is excellent gem rough from the locale. 81 grams mass. The specimen was formerly in the collection of Norm Dawson, who owned the mine from 1948 until the early 1990s. The piece was probably recovered in the 1960s or 1970s. The mine is now on Native Indian land. See the 2002 Mineralogical Record article in Vol. 33, No. 5 and https://www.mindat.org/loc-4459.html. Ex Bill Larson San Diego County Collection and long on display at his Pala International shop in Fallbrook, near San Diego. A fine and uncommon example of morganite cutting rough from the well-known locality. It was valued at $4000-5000 in Bill's collection.