Blue Topaz (rare California locale!) Reynolds Coll.

Item Description

A rare topaz crystal from this obscure San Bernardino County pegmatite - the California Blue Mine. The sculptural specimen has five very sharp faces on the partially etched piece. The very glassy and lustrous, gemmy to tranlsucent layered crystal has pleasing light sky-blue color with a near colorless section. Note that it looks fractured and there are lines here and there with cracks but it is NOT repaired, and so it is a bit of a miracle for this tight, difficult deposit...and might actualy be one of the largest blue topaz crystals from San Diego since the Little 3 Mine days. It is mine run, basically cleaned with water and never treated with acid to remove brown stain, or sent to the lab for modern full on cleaning, and we liked and admired that. It also helps give it a bit of an antique look, in fitting with San Diego pedigree. For what it is, an amazing find. . The mine produced aquamarine (namesake), smoky quartz and some topaz. See: https://www.mindat.org/loc-236782.html for more information on the mine. Ex Bob Reynolds Collection, a well-known fossil and mineral expert and Curator of the San Bernardino County Museum. He passed away in 2020. A VERY RARE and impressive larger topaz from the locale. Mass is 365 grams. Valued at $1500 by the former dealer and partner in the mine (Rick Kennedy), who sold it to Bob (with label). It is worth more today for the rarity and size - this is an important locality piece.