Spessartine on Albite (Bill Larson Coll.)

Item Description

An impressive, large, 2.5 x 2.4 x 1.5 cm, spessartine garnet is aesthetically perched on sculptural albite matrix on this very fine, large specimen from Shengus, Pakistan. The striking, lustrous, reddish-orange crystal has beautiful gemmy highlights and textbook dodecahedral form. The backlit photos highlight the gorgeous color saturation and gemminess of the crystal when strongly lit (as is typical of the material, it is a lustrous wine red from front lighting). Complete all-around and essentially pristine, the contact on the back is out of sight. The garnet has been reattached to the matrix with a very clean repair. This outstanding piece was for many years part of the Pala Properties/Bill Larson Garnet Collection and was on display at their Fallbrook, California shop. Valued at $1500. It would be worth $3500-4000, if not repaired.