Corundum from Uva Province, Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka is world famous for its gem minerals - in particular Sapphire. Good crystals are rare as mineral specimens, simply because the larger crystals are more easily cut into valuable larger gemstones. What remains for the mineral specimen market are usually opaque, gem-poor, rough specimens, rarely with good crystal form. Rarer still, are specimens with detailed provenance other than simply "Sri Lanka". This miniature matrixless specimen has all of this and more - it is twinned! The main crystal measures an impressive 3.7 cm in length, is doubly-terminated, displays the most exquisite stepped growth surfaces, has a lovely pale sea-blue colour and is gemmy, with a lovely transparency. The twin crystal, which measures just over 1 cm in length, is equally well terminated and gemmy, and protrudes from one side of the main crystal. This specimen is recorded as from Galbokka, Wellawaya, Monaragala District, Uva Province which is in the southeast of Sri Lanka and not from the main gem centre at Ratnapura. An absolutely stunning, museum quality crystallized Sapphire specimen from arguably the world's greatest country for gem Sapphire.