Quartz - Rutilated with Siderite
stock #23.1-094
Hashupa, Shigar Valley, Shigar District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
7 x 5.4 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1800
A very fine richly rutilated Quartz crystal 6 CM tall with bright copper-red color needles inside just below the surface in very clear outer zone so the rutile is sharp and distinct. Several rhombohedral Siderite crystals are on some faces and the condition of the whole piece is excellent, undamaged. Some sections show Sagenitic structure well and the Quartz is transparent despite the denser inclusions deeper inside. A few Rutile are noted on the surface but most are fully inside the Quartz. This is from a small fairly new find and is one of the best from the pocket. Although rutilated Quartz is known from many places in the world, this quality, density and distinct form of brilliant metallic needles is very rare.
Quartz - faden habit
stock #AX-25-006
Waziristan Ophiolite, North Waziristan
Kyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan
6.3 x 2.3 x .5 CM (cabinet)
price: $240
Pre Tucson
Textbook perfect, a gem clear faden Quartz crystal with distinctly visible central white string inclusion. The crystal is in the form of stacked and conjoined flattened sections most of which have aligned striations and all of which are flawless with no chips or issues. This style of faden Quartz is famed from several old European Alpine localities, but this level of perfection from there is very rare and typically very expensive. The amazing finds from Pakistan (Waziristan area) have been one of the great mineral discoveries of the past decade. The quality and quantity were enough to allow fine pieces like this to be far more affordable. However, nothing lasts forever and these Quartz are already becoming classics. This specimen was selected from hundreds found in 2019 for condition and esthetic presentation, it is far better than average for this find.
Peridot (Forsterite) - gemmy crystals
stock #23.1-592-(DN)
Sapat Gall, Naran, Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District
Kyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan
4.3 x 2.7 x 2.4 CM (miniature)
price: $380
Pre Tucson
A very nice pair of gem green Peridot crystals on a typical Amphibole matrix from the great discoveries at Sapat Gali (Pakistan). The largest crystal is just over 2 CM, these are well-terminated and show the classic form of etched or so called wrinkled faces. There is considerable good facet grade rough in these crystals but for us it makes a nice specimen as is. Very nice color.
A choice Aquamarine specimen in excellent undamaged condition having super glassy luster and some excellent zoning with gem clear sections. The main crystal is doubly terminated and a full 6.7 CM long. There are two other smaller gem crystals as well and the specimen is fringed with Muscovite. From the amazing pegmatites of the Shigar Valley (Pakistan) which is the source of most of the world's greatest Aquamarines. Before the discovery of this rugged area such specimens were incredibly rare and very costly. Due to the size and quality of the discoveries here, the prices of such choice pieces is now far more accessible for collectors. Of course, no source in the mineral world lasts forever and these will always be desirable. An excellent value.
A sharp and well-zoned gem Tourmaline crystal shows up to 6 separate color areas. The crystal is perfectly terminated and 4.1 CM tall, perched on the side of a single Quartz prism. The top section of the Elbaite is nearly colorless but in some light sources has a very pale purple-blue hue. The bottom section of the crystal is contacted, incomplete and rough but with a partial, crude termination. Well-striated and lustrous in person. From finds about 9 years ago at Stak Nala (Pakistan); this pocket had some usually vivid color with much less dark zone. There is a crack in the back of the Quartz crystal that looks like it has been repaired, this does not affect the Elbaite but it does make the price much lower than otherwise. Since the crack is not seen on normal display at all this gives an excellent value for a nice, sizable gem crystal on a fine matrix.
A large, well-formed Apatite crystal with a garden-like growth of Actinolite crystals inside. In excellent condition as seen, the color is a deep oil green on the lower sector and is more clear light green at the top. This is a classic style of Alpine Apatite yet comes from the Himalaya region. The large flat glassy faces are partly composed of stepped flat hexagonal planes. A choice and attractive crystal.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #AX-29-071
Ghalangy Mine, Mohamed Agency
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
6.4 x 2.8 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1400
Fall 22
A large, etched hexagonal crystal of Apatite that is complete and doubly terminated. There is a minor amount of Lepidolite matrix that sets this crystal off nicely. The violet color and lightly stepped faces are especially striking. Good fluorescence and no damage seen even under good magnification. From a find in 2016, this crystal has unusually fine definition, large size and elongation far better than others we had seen. A choice purple Apatite from anyplace and excellent for this find.
Peridot
stock #8.AE-843
Sapat Gall, Naran KaghanValley, Mansehra District
North West Frontier Province,
Pakistan
2.9 x 2.6 x 2.2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $95
Fall 22
The Peridot crystals of Sappat are modern classics. This is a good thumbnail with a pair of chisel-tip crystals standing above the Peridot matrix. Some faces of these crystals are somewhat transparent while other faces are silky and less clear. Typical "melted" look on some edges and chipping noted on the base and backside, this is otherwise a clean and a very affordable gem crystal.
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