K2 Granite with Azurite spheres (approx. 1 kilo)

Item Description

Embedded randomly in a slab of whitish granite from the base of K2 mountain in Pakistan, are spheres of sky blue azurite. From a recent discovery near the "roof of the world", these specimens have slowly been making their way to the western market. At first, we were convinced that they were fakes, but testing and a large amount of rough material has confirmed that they are in fact genuine. The piece features bubble-like spots of stark blue Azurite floating against a black and white speckled granite background. The Azurite has a notable translucency, as you can see through it to the underlying granite. This material is suitable for lapidary use and this is actually a large specimen of 969 grams (!!) carving grade material in the rough~! (see here for an example: https://www.mineralauctions.com/items/azurite-in-granite-k2-stone-ketonite-73919) This stuff is strange to be sure: It's not often we see metamorphic secondary copper minerals like this, especially in a district that's better known for producing pegmatite minerals. I have no idea if there will be more of this material, or even how much is out there, so if you want one, don't miss out. It's certainly a cool mineralogical / gemological novelty if nothing else. A good article on this can be found here: https://geology.com/gemstones/k2/