Beryl v. Aquamarine with Albite and Muscovite
stock #22.1-236-(YL)
Shigar, Skardu District, Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
7.3 x 6.3 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
Post Tucson 2022
A perfect, undamaged Aquamarine crystal stands over the matrix and show classic Shigar etching on the termination. This comes with a custom acrylic base and displays well from any side but the front as seen in the first photo is certainly the best view. The Aqua crystal is gem clear, fully transparent in the body and the matrix can be seen though it. The termination shows etched edges that have a silky cat’s-eye like look. The milky blue color contrasts nicely with the silky white at the tip. Shigar has produced many Aquamarines over the years in a wide range of quality. This is a very nice piece, better in person with an unusually affordable price for quality.
Beryl var. Aquamarine - gemmy USA Classic
stock #15.1-686
Mount Antero, Chaffee County
Colorado,
United States
2.4 x 1 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $390
Early summer 2021
A very clear, sharp and lustrous Aquamarine collected in the 1940's by Warren Johannson. From the famed Mt Antero location which is a magnificent, high elevation pegmatite. In fine condition this is a pale green-blue color and fully transparent.
Beryl var Aquamarine on Albite
stock #6.2-170A
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
7.1 x 5.1 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Late Summer 2018
An esthetic and sharp edged piece. The Aquas are super clear, mid-range blue, (largest is 4.2 CM across,) tabular crystals consisting of two pinicoids and no prism faces. This is a less common form for Aqua at Pingwu (and very rare worldwide) normally there are prism faces present. The albite is well crystalized and some is quite gemmy too. The piece has a saw marks on base and side (from the collecting) not visible on display side. Displays very well as seen, but is better in person. There are some contacts and tiny edge chipping present that is not distracting yet keeps this from being a far more expensive specimen.
A big, rich and esthetic specimen presenting a perfect, sharp blue Beryl 4.4 CM across. No damage at all, the top portion of the crystal is gem clear but the rest is translucent "milky" with some white veils. The architecture of this specimen is excellent and the contrast of color and texture is strong. Even with lots of Aquas from Pakistan, this stands out as a very fine and eye-catching specimen. For this quality, the price is very reasonable.
A gemmy 4 CM aqua in perfect condition is penetrating a 4.8 CM Albite crystal sitting on Muscovite. From the now famous Mt Xuebaoding area, this is a fine combo piece. Unusual relationship is prominently displayed in a very esthetic specimen. There are a lot of Aquas on the market from this area, this one is distinctly different and nice.
The Xuebaoding Aquamarines are distinctive and have become rather common on the market, but good ones are much less common. This is a good example with deeper than average color and distinct sharp form. The single gem crystal is well placed aesthetically on the matrix. As a bonus the dark area on the right includes a zone of redissolved Cassiterite, an unidentified green mineral similar to Mushingtonite, and an unknown Silver metallic mineral. As this location is not able to produce at this time, these will be harder to get and are still a remarkable bargain.
.jpg)
.jpg)
