Microcline (LARGE Carlsbad twin) with Schorl

Item Description

A remarkable, incredibly large and fine quality specimen for all you Feldspar fans out there. This piece is from a find in Pakistan near the end of 2005. It's certainly something that is not often seen from this Pakistan, or essentially any other world locality for that matter. A 16.2 cm long, sharp, very well-formed, notably thick / blocky, lustrous, porcelain-esque "Carlsbad" twinned crystal of Microcline associated with thin black Schorl crystals. I love the duality between the textbook termination and the beautifully and gracefully etched base of the crystal, which gives it a pseudo-scepter appeaerance. "Carlsbad" twins occur in Feldspars around the world, but are virtually unheard of in such impressively large, THICK hefty crystals like this. Carlsbad twins are penetration twins where the crystals are oriented at opposite polar directions along the "c" axis. The name comes from the Karlovy Vary District in Czech Republic (formerly Carlsbad) where this twinning habit was first observed. Simply put, this is a stupendous twinned crystal. Although Feldspar species are common around the world, and a piece like this is truly staggering for what it is. Looking down on the termination, I think the piece looks like a beautiful piece of carved marble. Valued at $5,000 for the impressive size and excellent crystal form.