Gem Crystals Update on January 10, 2008 -- Mixed Crystals from Worldwide Locales

Benitoite #BEN0001 Benitoite Gem Mine, San Benito County, CA, USA 12.5 mm x 11.6 m x 7.6 cm (5.4 cts) $275 SOLD
Description:	Amazing triply terminated crystal from THE locale for benitoite, with incredible luster and gemminess!  You will rarely find a crystal with such great color and form!  A complete floater, this crystal has a lot of bang for the buck!

Magnesiotaaffeite #MGT0001 Kuruwita, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka 10 mm x 7 mm x 7 mm (3.3 carats) $1950 Order this Specimen
Description:	One of the rarest gem minerals in the world, here is a fine, gemmy crystal of magnesiotaaffeite-2N2S (aka, taaffeite), of a gentle lavender color.  The crystal is of a respectable size (over 3 carats) for this holy grail of Sri Lankan rarities, and shows several well developed crystal faces.  This is not just a piece of gem rough -- although a rough piece of taaffeite is also very hard to find, as most are cut into tiny stones.  A small area on the crystal has been polished to confirm the identity of the crystal (I also placed it in my refractometer, and the refractive index was right on the money).  This is a rare chance to own a crystal of such scarcity.

Beryl var. Aquamarine #AQU0001 Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho, USA 27 mm x 24 mm x 21 mm $650 SOLD
Description:	Without a doubt, this is the largest gemmy crystal I have seen from this location.  It is a deep blue, heavily etched crystal, showing interior color zoning along the c-axis.  Found by Richard Kosnar and from his personal collection.  The crystal weighs an impressive 99.3 carats!  This is a rare opportunity to own one of the most splendid crystals ever found at this locale, which besides Mt. Antero, produced the finest aquamarines ever found in the U.S.

Euclase #ECL0001 Chivor Mine, Almeida, Colombia 6.5 mm x 6.5 mm x 8.3mm (2.55 cts) $385 Order this Specimen
Description:	A Colombian euclase crystal of a lovely sky blue color.  The crystal boasts a fantastic termination and lustrous glassy crystal faces, from the mine most famous for deep blue-green emeralds.  This is a fantastic thumbnail crystal and you will not find many this nice for the price.

Chrysoberyl #CHR0001 Espirito Santo, Brazil 12.5 mm x 10.5 mm x 8.1 mm (11.9 cts) $65 SOLD
Description:	This crystal was selected for its honey golden color, without the typical greenish hue found in most chrysoberyls from this locale.  Not to mention, the crystal shows superb form, gemminess, and luster.  It is twinned to an almost complete trilling (sixling) but is not quite complete where it was detached from matrix at its base.  Still, a fine thumbnail that will make you smile!

Beryl var. Golden Beryl #BER0002 Green Walking Stick Mine, Karoi, Zimbabwe 25.9 mm x  12.9 mm x 9mm (18.35 cts) $450 SOLD
Description:	This mine produced some of the world's finest golden beryls (the distinction between "heliodor" and "golden beryl" may be argued by some, but this is indeed a beryl of the finest golden orange color, not a trace of green!).  The crystal is remarkably etched into an incredibly complex shape, it is internally flawless, and could produce some fantastic gems.  Please don't cut it though!  I rescued it from gem rough, and I hope it stays that way!  These crystals were found in the 1960's and are very scarce, hardly ever appearing on the marked except from old collections.  You will love this specimen, guaranteed!

Elbaite var. Cuprian Elbaite #ELB0002 Paraiba, Northeast region, Brazil 31.8mm x 19.6mm x 18.6 mm (82.95 cts) $385 Order this Specimen
Description:	This specimen consists of a crystal section of elbaite showing typical trigonal cross section, with an opaque raspberry colored core and an overgrowth of intense blue cuprian elbaite.  I have seen a few Paraiba tourmalines of this habit before, but never one with such a rich thick rind of such intense cuprian color.  A small stone or two could be cut from a few places, but this piece is better appreciated as a truly unique mineral specimen.  The blue color is much more intense in person, just an awesome specimen!

Clinohumite #CLH0001 Pamir Mtns., Tajikistan, Russia 12.5 mm x 7.2 mm x 9.1 mm (5.70 cts) $380 Order this Specimen
Description:	The Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan are the premier locale for gem quality clinohumite crystals.  Nearly all crystals and rough of this size are cut into gem stones.  This crystal has size going for it, as well as intense amber-orange color.  The clinohumites from Afghanistan have a more cinnamon reddish color, which although is unique in itself, cannot compare to these beauties from Tajikistan.  This is an outstanding crystal and the largest one I have ... if you've been looking for one, don't pass up this opportunity!

Zircon #ZIR0001 Gia Lai Province, Vietnam 15.9 mm x 8.0 mm x 7.2 mm (12.75 cts) $75 SOLD
Description:	Just a lovely blue zircon showing magnificent crystal form, great color, and incredible gemminess.  One of the finest I have in seen in terms of crystal quality from this locale, as most look like tumbled rough.

Euclase #ECL0003 Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil 44.1 mm x 13.3 mm x 21.9 mm (87.0 cts) $1365 Order this Specimen
Description:	Mother Nature never ceases to amaze!  This crystal is a perfect example.  Not only is this euclase huge at 87 carats, but it also shows the most amazing etched form and deep blue-green color one could only dream of!  The crystal was etched in an asymmetrical fashion, but this is all natural -- there is no evidence of this crystal being broken or cleaved, which is remarkable for such a large crystal.  And overall the crystal retained its "typical" diamond shaped cross-section and steep termination.  I can't believe I am parting with this crystal, as it is one of my favorites.  But you will enjoy it, too, I am sure!

Beryl var. Aquamarine #AQU0002 Quy Chao District, Vietnam 63.9 mm x  16.2 mm x 11.8 mm (113.3 cts) $625 Order this Specimen
Description:	This crystal has the most saturated, vivid blue color that rivals anything from Pakistan.  It shows a wonderful hexagonal, prismatic form, with slightly frosted, etched crystal faces and a complete termination.  Truly a remarkable crystal of respectable size, one definitely worthy of display in your cabinet!

Corundum var. Sapphire #SPH0002 Ratnapura, Sri Lanka 19.8 mm x  7.9 mm x 6.5 mm (7.25 cts) $145 Order this Specimen
Description:	This crystal is gemmy with wonderful form and excellent color and zoning.  It is primarily blue, but shows a slight purplish hue at the tips.  It came from Dave Bunk's stash about 5 years ago, and it will surely spice up your TN collection!

Milarite #MLA0001 Rossing Mine, Arandis Namibia 13.1 mm x 12.6 mm x 12.0 mm (12.15 cts) $245 SOLD
Description:	A canary yellow crystal of this rare beryllium silicate.  This crystal comes from one of the most sought after locales for the species, aside from the mega-rare crystals from Switzerland.  The crystal has wonderful hexagonal form, great glassy luster, and a complex termination showing secondary crystal faces.  This could also fit into the "Rare Species" category, but I put it here because its way too nice and deserves to be in a gem crystal collector's hands!  Ex. Larry Conklin, by the way!

Beryl var. Trapiche Emerald #EMR0002 Muzo Mine, Colombia 17.4 mm x 14.5 mm x 14.8 mm (27 cts) $1125 Order this Specimen
Description:	Pardon the photos on this one, they just do not do this specimen justice!  OK, now and again you see a trapiche emerald crystal surface for sale.  But when do you see one that is over a couple of carats, let alone 27 carats.  This crystal belonged to F. John Barlow, and is pictured in his book (he has a plate showing a trapiche in matrix, and well, this is the one ... just not on matrix anymore!).  It shows a brilliant deep green emerald flower that transmits light easily when viewed on end.  It could cut some amazing cabs, but why would you want to?  Just look at it, a giant trapiche is beckoning to you!

Beryl var. Red Beryl #BER0001 Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah, USA 10.0 mm x  9.4 mm x 9.0 mm (4.55 cts) $295 SOLD
Description:	This specimen is one of the most unique red beryls I've ever owned.  For a Thomas Range specimen, the color is pretty darned incredible, since these are normally don't have the vibrant raspberry reds of the Wah Wah Mountain red beryls.  But this specimen has exceptional red color, and just the neatest form.  It is actually three crystals, two of which are doubly terminated, all clustered together with no point of attachment -- a complete floater!  It shows lustrous faces, and I just can't say enough about how unique it is.  You'll have a hard time finding anything else like it!