iconic Aquamarine and Muscovite (Meieran Coll.)

Item Description

This is an iconic aquamarine specimen that simply lends itself to photography and future fame: We use the word iconic in minerals to describe a relatively few items, that have to have a "look" and style to them to stand out. This specimen, for its stark geometry and 360-degree perfection of display, is such a 'fineness level,' and should be seen as another level from almost any other Nagar Aqua in the size class. Although Nagar aquas are often treated as second class to Shigar because they are not as clean and clear, a similarly sized piece with similar aesthetics was once the Munich show poster, for example. This has a much more robust color, brighter sparkle, and sharper geometry than most Nagar aquamarines - it really is, a level apart. The crystals rise to 8 cm tall and provide a perfectly balanced display, on perfectly trimmed and balanced matrix. You just cannot ask for more. If this was mediocre in any one of the facets of color, luster, geometry, or damage, it would be only cute. Repairs, I could forgive but I would rather have without in this case. Given the aesthetics and freestanding crystals, you'd expect and accept repairs, but there are none; and not even a ding. This is hard to convey on video, as it is so 3-dimensional, but it really is a perfect display piece with this "look" we all know and love, it should be valued highly. It was found probably 20 years ago, and has long been in the noted collection of Gene Meieran, who probably has the most gem aquamarines of anybody in such quality. As part of decreasing the size of the collection to focus on larger specimens and gem singles, these beautiful matrix pieces are being deaccessed gradually. He has been one of the top aquamarine specialists in the world for 20-30 years, and chooses with care. Gene knows all the major dealers and at one time had over 200 major aquamarines...and this, despite that Nagar aquamarines were common per se at the time, had a place of honor. It just has a sculptural look that is impossible to find in nature, as common as aquamarine may otherwise be. The previous owner's $25-30,000 value range is not unreasonable for a valuation on this. It is that spectacular compared to others.