Aquamarine, Samarskite-(Y), and Quartz

Item Description

Fine and quite substantial, this blue-green Beryl crystal is from North Carolina! Moreover, it has a rare earth oddity, a Samarskite crystal grown against it, that is extremely rare. Though contacted at both ends, the hexagonal prism is sharp and lustrous. Attached are a 3 cm crystal of Samarskite-(Y) and a 2.6 subhedral Quartz crystal that appears to have included Samarskite. Both have radiation halos around them, a very interesting chemical/physical effect indicative of the strength of the Yttrium's radioactivity. Where exposed, the jet-black Samarskite has a glassy interior with conchoidal fracture, looking for all the world like obsidian. This is a dramatic combination piece that was formerly in the Dr. Joseph Kaufman collection. Never seen anything quite like it...! 579 grams, hefty.