Scheelite with Muscovite

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Pingwu has produced arguably the finest scheelite specimens known, and this cluster shows off exactly why they are considered so highly: it has color, luster, and geometry. A sculptural piece, this is somewhat unusual in this style, as most are single crystals freestanding or embedded in matrix. This however, is composed of about five intergrown crystals accented by metallic muscovite blades, each pseudo-octahedron is an attractive and robust burnt-orange color, with gemmy-to-translucent interiors and superb luster. This is NOT the typical orange color which is orange-yellow. It has a hint of red to it, which gives it a more saturated look. Also, the luster is off the charts - highly unusual and in top percentile. The largest crystal is about 2.7 cm from the tip down to the basal contact, and it is about 3.3 cm wide. The crystals stack from there, creating a very modern architectural look, with all the internal flashes creating a vision of light and space within the crystals. Naturally, the scheelites exhibit their classic, whitish-yellow fluorescence under SW. Crowning the cluster is a series of excellent muscovite blades, which reach up to 2.3 cm long and display very nicely. This is a superb scheelite specimen, made even better by the contrasts in form and color with the muscovites. Choice aesthetics in every way, this is complete 360 degrees around and is free of any repairs or restorations (which is miraculous!). This was a surprise purchase for me on one of my many China trips. I have not bought many scheelites in recent years, as the best tended to come out prior to 2007, to my taste. This single specimen is the finest in size class I have purchased in perhaps a decade there. It literally sparkles in the light and is a standout in the size class.