Tourmaline var. Indicolite on Albite ex Spann Collection

Item Description

This item is part of a special benefit auction for the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals (ricenorthwestmuseum.org). Items are either deaccessions from the museum's collection or were donated by generous supporters listed below.

Auction open April 1, 2021 through April 17, 2021.

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, April 19, 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.

An "oldtimer" classic Afghani style from the early days of export there, comprised of an aesthetic tall cluster (100x30x26mm) of unobstructed deep blue lustrous and striated fully terminated indicolite crystals standing erect; with several colorless quartz xls near the terminal ends being overgrown by the indicolite xls, causing translucent blue hollow areas. The bottom third of the indicolite xls are nestled in and overgrown by white albite xls and by a fully terminated colorless quartz xl at the base, for accent. Note that the crystals are dark indeed, but definitely have a gemmy blue skin when lit well. From the Rolf Wein collection of Stuttgart, Germany ("acquired 3.3.1990"), then into the Spann collection in 2007. Donated by Gail and Jim Spann for the benefit of the Rice Museum, and valued at cost of $9,500.