"Raspberry" Grossular Garnets (excellent)

Item Description

From the famous Mexican discovery of the late 1990s and early 2000's, these famous red garnets have graced many important collections. Large pieces are for some reason quite uncommon. The skarn they form in gets broken either naturally or in collecting, and so few of this size would have been on the market. It is a large plate with numerous crystals to 1.2 cm, and A LOT OF COLOR spread out on that stark sculptural matrix. These garnets are called "raspberry" garnets by many people for their unique color and sharp form. The crystal isolation is especially noteworthy on this fine large piece and the periphery wear is certainly a modest detraction. The back has been sawed to enhance the fine two-sided display. Today, they are rare on the market although they were common for a time. Still, a piece of this size and quality was not common. Recently I saw one twice the size, but no better quality, valued at over $20,000 at a brick-and-mortar auction house dealing in natural history. I think I would rather have had this one! Valued at $1500-2000. From an old private collection.