Beryl var: Morganite on Albite (RARE locality specimen)

Item Description

There are many famous pegmatite locality in in San Diego County, California, and most of them are best-known for producing excellent Tourmaline and/or Spodumene (Kunzite) crystals, but deposits near Ramona are better known for other species. This specimen is from the Little Three (Little 3) Mine, and is rare for the fact it's a Morganite AND it's on MATRIX. This small cabinet display specimen features a rather gemmy, elongated prismatic hexagonal crystal measuring 2.5 cm, aesthetically sitting on the side of cream-colored Albite matrix. A few smaller Beryl crystals can be seen on the piece for a nice touch. It should be noted that the crystals are very pale in color (nearly colorless), but in certain lighting you can see a faint pink hue. What's interesting is that these crystals are elongated prisms of Morganite, which is typically seen in tabular / stout crystals. No major damage and quite showy. If you collect minerals of San Diego County, this is a great rare locality piece that would make a great addition. Valued $1,500.
From the collection of Robert (Bob) Reynolds. Bob was a well-known fossil and mineral expert and former Curator of Earth Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. The rare phyllomanganate-chromate species Reynoldsite was named in his honor in 2011.