large Spessartine Garnet xl on Muscovite w/ Schorl

Item Description

A stunning, sharp, large RARE style, 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.2 cm, spessartine garnet dodecahedron with nifty small trapezohedral edge modifications is dramatically set on the starkly contrasting matrix of densely intergrown, pearlescent muscovite plates accented with small schorl prisms. The lustrous spessartine is deep wine-red in normal light, but bright light brings out gorgeous faces and edges with cherry-red translucence. The crystal is very nearly pristine, with only a trivial corner bruise. This striking old-time piece has to date to the early 1980s, when these first reached the Western markets and the true locality was not known (per the base). This impressive, aesthetic and sculptural small cabinet combination is from Shengus, well-known for beautiful spessartine specimens. Most Shengus spessartines are trapezohedrons. Dodecahedrons are RARE. Ex Bill Larson & his company's Pala International Garnet Collection - which was long on the display at the Fallbrook store in the San Diego area for decades before we bought it some years ago (found it hiding in storage!). Valued at $2800 for large crystal size, rare habit and old age.