Beryl

The enigmatically named Green Walking Stick deposit lies to the east of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe.  This little known pegmatite was discovered by a field geologist who extracted superb golden Beryl and lime green Heliodor crystals.  The find remained unknown until the specimens were released for sale during the 1990s.  This miniature golden Beryl is superb and one which I personally adore.  It exudes what gem pegmatite deposits are all about, beautiful and unusual crystals, often found in small as yet undiscovered  pockets.  Measuring 5.3 cm long and 3.2 cm in diameter, the Beryl forms a hexagonal prism with deeply etched faces and cleaved ends, there are no terminations.  The colour is delightfully rich, in multiple shades of burnt golden toffee, golden lemon, apricot orange and golden amber.  Looking down the long crystal axis the Beryl is seen to be transparent and gemmy; I can read a millimetre scale perfectly well through its centre length.  A gorgeous Beryl from Zimbabwe.