3
Beryl var. Aquamarine with Schorl (Tourmaline)
We first bought nearly the entirety of this "Blue on Black" lot of amazingly contrasted gem crystal specimens from Namibia, way back in perhaps 2007-2008. Charlie Key brought the pocket out, and sold it to Marshall Sussman; and we purchased first and strongly from him at the start of a Tucson show around that time. This sold immediately and in fact, I have had it back twice now as collections changeover and it has traded hands. The pocket remains unique and distinct, never equalled. Aesthetically perched and angled up for display as if placed on a pedestal, is a majestic, fully exposed crystal of glassy, rich blue aquamarine. It is 8 x 2.5 x 1.8 cm in size, thus very thick, and intensely color-saturated. Piled in a dome-like pattern beneath and propping up the aqua on feldspar matrix is a large cluster of splendent, black schorl crystals to 2 cm across (and some small aquas, not all complete, but nice as color accents). Some very minor chipping (characteristic of this pocket) on the terminal edges of the aquamarine in no way detracts visually, though there is a slight contact on the back of the termination where it seems it grew against feldspar. The piece is really 3-dimensional, and can be displayed from either side view to good effect: showing the aquamarine overhanging diagonally above the contrasting schorl crystal mound. However, the piece can also be displayed frontally, maximizing the impact of the aquamarine as it is head-on to the viewing angle, and you would then see the schorls as accents, poking out from behind the dominating vertical aquamarine at this angle. Either way, in all 3 display angles, it looks very impressive. Other than the shallow contact, hard to spot anyhow, the termination is complete all around and freestanding, shooting into space from the schorl pedestal. This combination of geometry and association, not to mention the crystal size itself, makes it one of the more dramatic pieces, overall, in the lot and in the find that I have seen (and one of my favorites among several hundred pieces I have seen).
Unknown Owner
Product details
Species
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.9 x 7.9 x 6.1 cm
Locality
Added on01/17/2025
Comments
Known provenance
2025/02
Unknown Owner
$7,200.00—Species and Locality Wiki Pages
Collectors of Aquamarine from Erongo Mountains
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