Morganite (large gem "floater") (407 grams) (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

A large, stout "floater" crystal of soft pink GEM quality Morganite from an undisclosed locality in Minas Gerais (possibly the Urucum Mine). The piece has graceful hydrothermal etching on all sides and it's not just a "chunk" but has real character as you seen small crystalline caverns which have formed to create an otherwordly / ethereal landscape with thin stalactite-esque formations here and there. It was difficult to photograph, but looks great in person. Very good quality overall and just different than your typical Morganite from Brazil. Good crystals of Morganite really are only found in three places in the world: San Diego County, California; Afghanistan and Minas Gerais, Brazil. It seems that all three of these world localities are producing less and less of these specimens over the years, and a large hefty piece like this is rarely seen from any of them. The piece weighs in at 407 grams. Valued at $2,750. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").