LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 January Signature Natural History #5000  / 

48259

FINE EMERALD CRYSTAL

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Rocks, Fossils & Minerals Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
FINE EMERALD CRYSTAL
<B>FINE EMERALD CRYSTAL</B></I><BR><BR> <I>Jos Plateau, Nigeria </B></I><BR>The emeralds of the Jos Plateau are rather unusual on several counts in comparison with all of the other emeralds of the world. While they are true emerald based on the presence of chromium in the crystal lattice, they are: under saturated with respect to green, highly saturated with respect to blue, gemmier than other emeralds, larger than other emeralds, not seen on matrix and lastly; possessed of a more complex crystal habit than other emeralds. Taken together, all of these factors make them uniquely identifiable as to origin. This lovely example displays all of the features mentioned above: It is a light bluish-green in hue, quite unlike any other emeralds or any other beryls for that matter. The transparency is more like unto an aquamarine, with only a fraction of the <I>Jardin</B></I> typically seen in an emerald of its size. Also atypical is the elongated habit with a complex set of terminations. Normally; emeralds are terminated by a simple flat face orthogonal to the <I>c</B></I> Axis. Here we not only have a multitude of pinacoid faces but, in addition, the crystal exhibits a 'side-car' form of secondary termination on one prism face. This is considered to contribute to the aesthetics of such a gem crystal. It measures 3 ½ inches long by approximately ½ inch in diameter. It is in fine to excellent condition, weighing 99.5 carats. The specimen comes with a custom stand. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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