Beryl var. Morganite

Gemmy, pale candy pink Morganite forms two intergrown crystals on a creamy-white crystalline Albite matrix from Dara-i-Pech in Konar Province, Afghanistan.  Morganite is the pink variety of Beryl.  This complex beryl-niobium-tantalum-lithium rich pegmatite is host to a wealth of fine gem minerals.  The pegmatite differentiates out into two types, an albitized microcline and a spodumene-albite body, although both are rich in beryl mineralisation.  Two excellent Morganite crystals measure to 3  and 2.5 cm wide and are aesthetically positioned on top of the Albite matrix.  Their prism faces are clear and gemmy while their hexagonal pinacoid terminations have light frosting.  Save for the pinacoids, the crystals are of complex habit, not simple hexagonal prisms characteristic of Beryl.   A fine and delightful Morganite Beryl from the famous gem bearing area of Dar-i-Pech in Afghanistan.