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.
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.
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.
Titanite - twinned crystals on Adularia
stock #8.1-007
Dassu, Braldu Valley, Skardu District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
6.3 x 4.6 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Post Tucson 2022
Twinned gemmy crystals of Titanite on contrasting white Adularia crystals. A classic assemblage of Alpine cleft type minerals, this is an attractive and well-crystalized piece with a 2 CM Titanite. The Titanite is transparent in large part though some areas have inclusions that make it more translucent. The crystal is the type sometimes called a "drill bit twin" and shows this habit very well.
Elbaite with Cleavelandite - purple cap
stock #19.1-002
Stak Nala, Haramoush Mountains
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
4.4 x 4.2 x 3.5 CM (miniature)
price: $400
New Year 22
A "purple cap" Tourmaline crystal set on contrasting white Cleavelandite. In fine condition, the termination is perfect and clear while the body of the crystal is dark and opaque. The Elbaite is 4 CM tall and the luster is very bright. Depending on the lighting used to display the piece the cap can look almost colorless or has a slight blue hue though in most settings the cap is a light violet. These are modern classics and as far as I know unique to this locality.
Apatite on Albite with Clinochlore
stock #15.1-1027-(SM3197)
Tormiq Valley, Haramoush Mountains, Skardu District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
5 x 4.1 x 4.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $400
New Year 22
Compound crystal of Apatite CaF 4.7 CM across is perched nicely on a snowy white Albite matrix sprinkled with Clinochlore. Well-defined faces, good luster and with nice striations, the crystal is a cream-yellow color and transparent in parts. Good fluorescence also. An alpine style habit and association, this from Pakistan though, it really looks like a fine Austrian piece. Older labels included, Ex Nick Carruth (Cornwall, UK) David Crawford and Charles Noll (USA). In very good condition no obvious damage and better in person too.
Hematite on Adularia and Quartz
stock #16.1-102
Alchuri, Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
7.1 x 4.2 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Late Summer 2021
Lustrous flat crystals of Hematite esthetically perched on a contrasting matrix. The Hematites have some bright mirror-like faces and some faces with a dusting of Chlorite. The Adularia is also well-crystalized in stacked arrangements with a few small Quartz crystals tucked in as well. In exceptional condition, the individual Hematite crystals reach over 2.8 CM and are in nicely aligned clusters and stacks. The Alpine minerals of Pakistan can be incredible as seen here, and rival some of the famous finds in the European Alps. More impressive in person, a classic Alpine cleft assemblage. This looks great from several angles.
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