Topaz ex James Carter collection (1.3 kg)

Item Description

This historic Ukraine topaz is stunning for both its shocking size and clarity internally, and the complex surface patterning it shows. This patterning is mesmerizing, and looks technological but is in fact due to the same kind of solution effects that also give the gem heliodor crystals from here their fantastical patterns. At 1300 grams, this is one solid specimen of cutting-rough quality topaz that could yield gems or gem sculptures, but it is also a complete floater crystal and should never be cut, in my opinion. Although still as it came from the mine with no fancy cleaning, and with some iron staining in the bottom edge, it is complete and pristine all around save only a very few tiny spots that may be natural roughness in any case. This is a SIGNIFICANT Ukraine topaz, similar in size and shape to a very few examples I saw for sale at Munich 2016-2019 shows from recent and renewed mineral-specimen mining efforts at this historic location - and without collectors to buy such crystals, these are all of course sent to the gem and carving industry and destroyed for the quick money. This is a historic specimen that Dr James Carter bought from Russian geologists who came to Dallas to work with him in the late 1980s, and it was among the first specimens from this mine to come to the US in modern times. James, and his friends in Dallas, bought many loose topaz and heliodors at that time, by weight. James was heavily involved in the establishment of the geology department here in Dallas, and was NASA's go-to expert on moon dust for designing lunar rover tires. He kept some of the best specimens from this Russian interaction, including this, for himself since the 1980s. Other major collectors in Dallas also (later after he selected first!) bought theirs through his academic contacts, on those visits to the University of Texas, before the market was open. This has never been to a lab, and never been cleaned except with water, and already it looks amazing.  We are honored to offer this at no reserve on behalf of the Carter family estate. It is a significant gem crystal!