Aquamarine on Matrix

Aquamarine on MatrixAquamarine is a form of Beryl crystal long sought after as a gem and precious stone due to its beautiful blue green hue and clarity. It is found in many sites across the world, typically associated with granitic pegmatites, and is one of the more common gems although pieces of exceptional hue and clarity are considered fairly rare and can be extremely valuable. Aquamarine has a hexagonal crystal structure and is highly prismatic. These incredible

Also known as antimonite

from fine crystal to botryoidal (spherical/nodular)

with the largest known being over 10 feet in length and weighing over 3 tons

the mineral contains arsenic and silicate and historically has been used in pyrotechnics as well as a cosmetic since ancient Egyptian times until the safety issues with arsenic in makeup became known

or the formation of equally thin layers of secondary minerals due to hydrothermal or other alteration

but chemical impurities can turn it into a range of spectacular colors

These Incredible specimens of natural uncut aquamarine from Mount Little Xuebaoding in Sichuan

Calcite is a form of Calcium Carbonate and is one of the primary components in limestone

this piece consists of beautifully colored cluster of purple octohedral fluorite on a thick base of candle quartz - so named for the appearance of wax dripping down a candle down the crystal face

Size of Yellow Calcite - 13"x10"   Weight - 13

the so-called “Benz” calcite comes from specific formations in Hubei

pyrite is an abundant sulfide mineral that despite some similarities can easily be distinguished from actual gold by its crystal form (typically cuboidal) and being much harder whereas gold is soft and malleable