Lazurite crystal on Marble
stock #24.1-191
Sar-e Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District
Badakshan,
Afghanistan
3.3 x 2.7 x 2.6 CM (thumbnail)
price: $110
A well-exposed and sharp crystal of Lazurite on contrasting white Marble matrix. It is hard to find such a good thumbnail of Lazurite, the crystals tend to be much too large. In fine condition, a choice classic specimen.
Perfect hexagonal crystals of violet Lepidolite in a cluster with small gem clear Tourmalines. The Tourmaline (Elbaite) is a pale pink to almost colorless and are in perfect condition as well. Even though Lepidolite is not uncommon, good crystals are surprisingly rare. These are sharp, thick and most have the flat termination faces hosting a circular zone of white microcrystalline Feldspar. Both unusual and esthetic, a choice and attractive specimen of Lepidolite crystals.
Elbaite - Bubble gum pink tourmaline
stock #23.1-276
Tsanigal Pegmatite, Pachigram
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
4.5 x .9 x .7 CM (miniature)
price: $480
Spring 23
Gemmy bubble-gum pink Elbaite crystal from a new find in a little known pegmatite in the Pachigram (Afghan) area. Unlike earlier finds nearby, the crystals in this single pocket are more slender in proportion and can have a slightly colorless or blue zone at the termination. This is in excellent, undamaged condition, it is even fully recrystallized on the bottom end, so it is techically doubly terminated. Most of these were broken from their matrix in natural events long ago, but some like this have rehealed the original connection point. An attractive Tourmaline from an unusual locality.
Afghanite - large crystal on Calcite
stock #23.1-031
Kiran, Koksha Valley, Khash and Kuran Wa Munjian Districts
Badakshan,
Afghanistan
6.1 x 4.7 x 4 CM (cabinet)
price: $920
Spring 23
A fine, large single crystal of intense blue Afghanite on contrasting matrix. The crystal is complete, well-terminated and 4.5 CM tall. This is worldwide a very rare mineral, only known from a handful of sites and the only crystals of such large size have come from the Badakshan deposits. Over the past two decades a very few finds of excellent Afghanites have raised he standard of quality for this specie. This is a very fine and attractive example of this remarkable mineral that is a first rate display quality piece. In undamaged condition, there are a few natural stress cracks to note that are typical in these larger crystals but are not damage or weakness. With some backlighting the crystal is very translucent and glows a rich blue color.
Elbaite (castellated termination)
stock #15.1-509
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
7.1 x 5.1 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
Rubellite variety Elbaite crystals in a complex cluster on contrasting matrix. The termination is a series of sharp spires and a deep recessed void that also contains spikes of Tourmaline. The Elbaite is translucent to transparent in fine condition. The matrix is also well-crystalized and overgrown with white Albite. From a find more than 10 years ago at Paprok this is quite different than the usual material seen from this famed mine. Esthetic and attractive on all sides.
Elbaite with Lepidolite and Cleavelandite
stock #22.1-608-(YL)
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
5.2 x 2.9 x 2.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $290
Fall 22
A colorful miniature to small cabinet sized Tourmaline on matrix. From the famed Paprock pegmatites, this has a gem clear Elbaite crystal with a mint green color and subtle zoning perched on a purple matrix. In excellent condition overall the main Elbaite has a perfect, sharp termination. Larger specimens that have this form and quality can be very expensive, this miniature is a very good value for an fine Gem crystal piece.
Elbaite on Lepidolite and Cleavelandite
stock #10.1-300
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Konar Province,
Afghanistan
9.9 x 8.1 x 6.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $3600
New Year 22
A striking fine Tourmaline specimen with both fine color and nice matrix contrast. The largest multicolored Elbaite is 4.5 CM long and well-isolated, free standing. All are gemmy and have glassy lustrous faces. There are several smaller crystals scattered on the matrix including a few damaged crystals some of which are partly recrystallized. The major crystals are in fine shape and are the classic gemmy Paprock type with vivid pastel coloring. The largest crystals have flat basal termination but some others are the prismatic type. The color mix of the purple and off white matrix contrasts well with the glassy pink and green Tourmaline.
Pollucite - gemmy etched crystal mass
stock #8.AE-842
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Konar Province,
Afghanistan
4.4 x 3.2 x 2.9 CM (miniature)
price: $110
Late Summer 2021
A transparent and nearly pure crystallized Pollucite that has been heavily etched. Aside from some tiny inclusions this is all Pollucite with total transparency, and curved crystal faces. Pollucite is one of the few sources of Cesium and sometimes also includes substantial amounts of Rubidium, it is an uncommon gemstone as well. The specimen is broken on the base or underside where it was attached but the visible surfaces are in fine condition and show the characteristic Pollucite structure and luster perfectly. This is just under 36 grams of gem crystal that is very lustrous in person.
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