Unusual Aquamarine with Schorl (ex. Paul Zerfass)

Item Description

A very exotic and robust barrel-shaped aquamarine specimen from an unusual locality within the Erongo region of Namibia. A stout, transparent to translucent, single aqua crystal with a shimmering satin luster partially encircled by numerous smaller aquamarine crystals and two larger companion crystals all set in a fine-grained, blackish schorl tourmaline matrix. Although not readily apparent at the top termination of the large crystal, the severed base shows a distinct translucent to transparent aqua core surrounded by a thin rim of turbid aquamarine. Prism faces are striated on this large crystal. There is an adjacent, smaller crystal of similar character to the main crystal along with a 7.6 cm long translucent, tectonically bent crystal growing at an oblique angle across the other two. An unusual piece from the Erongo pegmatites - it is just different than others and quite massive at 561 grams (over a pound in weight!). Ex. Paul Zerfass collection (France) with label.