Sapphire Crystal (doubly-terminated floater) with painting

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2020 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 24, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

Click here for a video of this specimen!

A complete-all-around, perfect, elongated crystal of the classic style for a Sri Lanka sapphire! This crystal is NOT riverworn and rounded, as are so many. It is remarkably sharp, indicating it came from one of the hand-worked artisanal (generally family-owned) small mines in the hard rock, rather than the big industrial gem-gravel deposits mined with water guns and bucket loaders. For the size, it is quite good, and very sharp! It has moderate color. The painting with it has nicely accentuated the sharpness and the subtle patterning. From the private thumbnail and miniatures aesthetic collection of internationally known wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira (http://www.gaminiratnavira.com), who started collecting small mineral specimens many years ago after exposure to the mineral community in his residence of Fallbrook, California. For a number of years, Gamini made mineral watercolors for private collectors on commission for $500 each. For his own enjoyment, he also made watercolor paintings of all of his own pieces, and the painting is included here with the specimen (7 x 7 cm painting set in custom 14.5 x 14.5 cm frame). Gamini is a native of Sri Lanka and a "living treasure," and collected Sri Lanka minerals when he could. This fine crystal is valued at $1500.
Arkenstone donation.