Microcline (Baveno Twin) with Topaz and Albite

Item Description

A cool piece for all your Feldspar collectors out there. We purchased a small parcel of Microcline specimens from a good friend in Peshawar, and this piece was one of the only twins in the lot. This specimen features a fine quality, sharp, lustrous, porcelain-esque "Baveno" twinned crystal of Microcline associated with white bladed crystals of Albite (var Cleavelandite), and if you look closely, you'll see a small lustrous, gem quality, light sherry colored Topaz crystal sitting atop the Microcline. The second closeup photo shows the distinct twinning line on the front corner of the specimen. It should be noted that "Baveno" twins in Feldspars are usually quite scarce, especially from Pakistan. The twins are elongated along the b axis, and the twinning plane, a diagonal one, runs through opposite edges of the prismatic crystal. The name of this twin comes from the locality in Italy where this twin was first observed. This specimen is complete on the front, but it's incomplete (though not totally broken) on the back, as you can see minute faces of recrystallization ("re-healing"). The luster and surface appearance of the twin truly looks like a beautiful piece of fine marble. Don't miss out.