Aquamarine (GEM quality) on Muscovite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Pingwu Beryl Mine (Huya W-Sn-Be Deposit), Huya Township, Mt Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
Small Cabinet, 5.2 x 4.2 x 3.3 cm
Start Time: 07/17/2018 7:15:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 07/31/2018 7:34:25 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

This locality has produced some of the most distinctive and signature specimens from China. The unique Beryl crystals are instantly recognizable, and are a certainly a favorite among collectors and dealers alike. This showy large miniature / small cabinet features a broad and fairly thick, tabular, soft blue color, GEM QUALITY hexagonal Aquamarine crystal measuring 2.6 cm across with a few additional Aquas of equal quality on silvery bladed Muscovite matrix. The quality of the Aquamarine is excellent with WATER CLEAR transparency, which is not terribly common from this mine. Tabular Aquamarine crystals are rare, but the best Aquas from Xuebaoding are absolutely superb quality like this piece. The main Aqua has a contact on the right edge, but is still in excellent condition. The piece sits and displays beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. HARD TO PHOTOGRAPH, but BETTER IN PERSON. Valued at $850. Ex Dr. Steven Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=671&page=1 ) or on Wikipedia.

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