Spodumene (heavily etched ''floater'' crystal) with Smoky Quartz

Dara-e-Pech pegmatite field, Dara-e-Pech District, Kunar, Afghanistan
Small Cabinet, 8.3 x 3.1 x 1.6 cm, 51.50 grams
Start Time: 01/12/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 01/19/2023 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $65

Item Description

For a few decades, there are a handful localities in Afghanistan that have produced some of the best gem quality and superbly well-crystallized examples of Spodumene in the world, most notably some of the finest Kunzite crystals ever found. This piece is an interesting soft greenish-yellow crystal of Spodumene. It's a highly sculptural beautiful, doubly-terminated (multi-terminated) crystal, with no point of attachment, making it a complete "floater". The crystal has fairly good luster all around (with very little in the way of "dusty" faces) and incredibly dramatic hydrothermal etching which gives it an almost ethereal appearance. I can't find any damage, and it's even gemmy in areas when backlit. Additionally, if you look closely, there is a tiny dark Smoky Quartz crystal that can be seen in a small opening in the Spodumene. The Smoky Quartz is essentially frozen INSIDE the Spodumene (perhaps it was deposited after the Spodumene was already etched). You'll never see another one exactly like this piece as the etching makes the piece so unique. Specimen weight is 51.50 grams. Priced in the inventory at $950.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$65 01/18/2023 7:17:20 pm (CST)
$55 01/18/2023 7:17:20 pm (CST)
$35 01/13/2023 11:38:13 am (CST)
$30 01/13/2023 11:38:13 am (CST)
$10 01/13/2023 11:17:01 am (CST)