Beryl var. Aquamarine

My first reactions on examining this large cabinet specimen of Aquamarine Beryl with Muscovite Mica are 1. what a killer; 2. what gemmy and beautiful gemmy crystals and 3. at $1400 this is pretty good value for such a magnificent gem specimen! It is from Gilgit in Pakistan, one of the world’s most famous locations for its diversity and quality of gem minerals. Numerous hexagonal, prismatic transparent to gemmy Aquamarine crystals cover the specimen, with flat, mirror-smooth pinacoid terminations and attractive bevelled modifications, all with a bright glassy lustre. The crystals are pale cornflower blue with several containing a basal golden core, a result of included Muscovite. The longest prism is 5 cm and all prisms average 1.5 to 2 cm broad. Some crystals around the periphery are cleaved, but almost all are perfect. The Muscovite is superb in itself, forming intermeshed silver-grey blades up to 2 cm diameter. The whole specimen sits on a largely hidden matrix of granite. If you have been looking for a great example of Aquamarine, then this is well worth carefully considering.