Tourmaline (Doubly-Terminated Floater, Ex. Cahn, Montgomery, Marshall)

Unknown Owner

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This superb, doubly-terminated crystal shows gemminess and internal zoning characteristic of this important old East Coast locality. Classic yellow-green color zoning like this, along with the actual form and habit, is an important marker for genuine Haddam pieces. Such crystals are treasures of the past, seldom seen except in museum drawers today. This particular piece is in fine condition and has the interesting provenance of having been owned by about half a dozen of the most prominent East Coast field collectors and specialists of the 1900s. It started with Lazard Cahn (1865-1940), according to notes on the accompanying label of Arthur Montgomery (noted field collector who passed away in 1999). Montgomery paid $15 for it, probably in the 1930s. Then it went to Richard Gaines, and then to John White (former Smithsonian curator). White sold it to John Marshall. And John exchanged it to Lawrence Conklin before he passed away. All are noted, crazy-dedicated, East Coast enthusiasts who only want the best of these old locales. Joe Budd photos