Beryl var: Aquamarine with Quartz and Albite (mined 1980s)

Item Description

Here we have an old-time specimen from Pakistan, mined in the 1980s, when the Russians were fighting in Afghanistan. It was purchased by Rich Kosnar from noted mineral dealer Rick Smith, who was one of the first western dealers to travel to the area and bring home gem pegmatite minerals. The piece was originally said to have come from Afghanistan, but many of these crystals back in the day were mined in Pakistan and ended up with an Afghani designation. I firmly believe it was mined in Pakistan, most likely in the Shigar Valley, and we have labeled it as such. This showy small cabinet specimen hosts a principal crystal of stark blue Aquamarine with very sharp, glassy faces on all sides measuring 4.3 across, aesthetically sitting atop a matrix of white bladed Albite and accented by a frosted prism of Quartz. There are a few small nicks on the edges of the Aqua, so it's not 100% pristine, but it just sits so beautifully atop the matrix like a searchlight with the broad basal termination facing directly at you. NO REPAIRS and it's so incredibly showy. I put a value on this one in the $2,5000 range.