Celestine

Item Description

A stunning example of celestine from a location that, while common and productive of a large quantity of material every year, actually produces VERY few gem quality, fine specimens of this caliber. This is the test of a collector, to find the truly great 1 in 1000 among the quantity of production. The good ones, like this, only come out of large geodes that are carefully prepared in the lab, to remove excess and generally harvest, if lucky, a single small portion of the best crystals within while disposing of the rest to the wholesale market. At each year of shows, I might see a handful of such carefully prepared pieces. Gabriel Risse was known for careful purchasing at Munich show in particular, and his desire for perfection in 360-degree displayable specimens such as this fine small cabinet piece. The central crystal is 4 cm tall and much more gemmy and glassy in person than photos convey well. Valued $2500-plus. Purchased at a Munich show from well known German collector Paul Stahl, himself known for his choice collection of miniatures and small cabinet aesthetic specimens.