This fascinating perfect 'floater' crystal of tabular hexagonal Beryl is a peculiar quirk of nature. Beryl is usually given alternative 'trade' names based upon its colour, with pink Beryl known as the variety Morganite and the blue variety known as Aquamarine. Crystallographically, all varieties of Beryl have hexagonal symmetry, but it is notable that Morganite invariably always forms squat shallow hexagonal prismatic crystals akin to tabular, or hexagonal plates, whilst Aquamarine nearly always forms longer hexagonal prisms. This individual crystal is extremely unusual in presenting a pink Morganite hexagonal core around which the crystal extends seamlessly into colourless to very pale blue Aquamarine with the overall shape of classic Morganite, even down to the classy bevelled corners. Perfect in form and at 7.9 cm across, large, this is an extremely important crystal for the discerning collector of gem species. Recorded as from Minas Gerais - the famous gem pegmatite state in Brazil - it is most likely from the Conselheiro Pena pegmatite district. It comes with a custom-made acryllic display stand bearing its mineral name and provenance.
Comments