Chrysoberyl

Unknown Owner

This is a delightful Chrysoberyl crystal. It might be thumbnail in size, but in form it is exquisite. Chrysoberyl is renowned for its repeated twinning, but this specimens displays it extraordinarily well with exceptional symmetry. What is more, it is gemmy and fits perfectly with the derivation of its name: "Chryso" meaning "golden", and Beryl. Very few well-crystallized Chrysoberyl's also show such brightness and glassy interiors, or indeed show such perfect twinning like a flower. Teófilo Otoni, a municipality in northeast Minas Gerais state, is known for extremely fine Chrysoberyl crystals, but remarkably very few are ever seen for sale. This wonderful piece comes from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).