Tourmaline on Tourmaline with Quartz. Porcupine Pocket, 2001. Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $500,000 - $700,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
DALLAS, TX.- When The Gerhard Wagner Collection of extraordinary tourmalines crosses the block on June 7, 2015, at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, it will be — for hardcore collectors in the world of Fine Minerals — as if a vast cave of treasures, carefully cultivated and perfectly kept for decades, is opening for the first time.
Top examples from the collection include an amazing Tourmaline on Tourmaline with Quartz from the Porcupine Pocket of the Pederneira Mine, Brazil (estimate $500,000+), the sublime Tourmaline on Cleavelandite from the Grandon Pocket of the Pederneira Mine, Brazil (estimate: $450,000+) and the 'Flower of Pederneira,' an impressive find of emerald and burgundy tourmaline on quartz, with lepidolite and cleavelandite, from the Proud Pocket of the Pederneira Mine, Brazil (estimate: $450,000+).
Tourmaline on Tourmaline with Quartz. Porcupine Pocket, 2001. Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $500,000 - $700,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
A stunning exercise in aesthetics and a genuine mystery in regard to formation - that is the challenge posed by this enigmatic crystal group from the aptly named "Porcupine Pocket" recovered in 2001. It features two major crystal types: thin and long, or stout and wide. The longest thin crystal is a enormously elongated thin blue prism 9.25 x 0.31 inches (23.5 x 0.8 cm) in size, and there are several shorter ones of similar proportions. The stout Tourmalines are approximately 3.93 inches (10 cm) across termination, and 4.8 inches (12.2 cm) long. There are only two of these massive things. Included in one end of the largest stout crystal is a doubly-terminated thin one measuring 4.25 x 0.43 inches (10.8 x 1.1 cm).The thin prisms are teal blue with steely overtones and great transparency, while the thick ones are mainly dark blue with varying degrees of saturation and transparency (hard to tell because they are so thick). There is some reconstruction in a couple of places, and the long crystals have normal Pederneira repairs - not unusual or significant. It features outstanding growth figures on terminations of thick prisms. There is a very sizable Quartz crystal approximately 3.54 inches (9.0 cm) long and 1.69 inches (4.3 cm) across on the backside. It is colorless except where some lilac Lepidolite is included near its base. On one side of the massive Tourmalines are sprinklings of very small Feldspar crystals or fragments. The "mystery" of the specimen is why there are twovery different crystal habits in the same specimen from the same pocket. The condition is outstanding, especially for something of this size and delicacy. It comes with a custom labeled base.
Overall measurements: 5.5 x 9.1 x 6.3 inches (14 x 23 x 16 cm)
Illustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Page 156-157.
Tourmaline on quartz with lepidolite and cleavelandite - The 'Flower of Pederneira'. Proud Pocket, 2000, Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $300,000 - $500,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
Unique is an overworked term whose association is rarely justified in its overly liberal application to virtually every item in need of a marketing buzzword the likes of: "premium," "titanium," "extreme," "platinum," etc., etc., ad nauseam. In this particular case, we can categorically state, without fear of contradiction, that this Tourmaline specimen is definitely, definitively unique. There is no specimen even vaguely like this one. That unique distinction would be much less justified, were it not for the presence of a "flower," cluster of four crystals attached at the termination of an already superb prism measuring 6.18 inches (15.7 cm) in length. It's not the only significant member of the group. Second largest is a "bent' crystal 5.31 inches (13.5 cm) long, and there is even a third - a "normal" one measuring only 4.33 inches (11 cm). Of the "flower" cluster, three of the four are double-terminated. All of the various Tourmaline crystals making up the matrix specimen share an obvious commonality in color, arrangement of color, luster, transparency and form. There are but two colors that are displayed by the Tourmaline: a smoky, peach pink and a vibrant, transparent green. One should note that the greater percentage of the pink core material is always located closer to the flat, pedion termination of any given crystal. Conversely, one will also notice that the greater percentage of the grass green, transparent material tends to occur more towards the other end of all crystals. All Tourmalines arise from a matrix of a massive pair of shining, euhedral Quartz crystals of a light smoky hue. Here and there, single bladed crystals of Cleavelandite make their appearance, and some of them are included into the Quartz at one place. Similarly, pale violet Lepidolite forms small aggregates and isolated clusters on a random basis. There are repairs, but the fact that this, never to be repeated masterpiece even exists, is one of the proofs for God. It was featured on the cover of "Mineralien Welt" magazine and in the dreams of more than a few Tourmaline collectors. When displayed at the "Brazilian Beauties" exhibit at the 2010 Münich Gem & Mineral Show, it brought gasps of astonishment ... and rightly so.
Overall measurements: 7.5 x 7.2 x 5.4 inches (19 x 18.2 x 13.8 cm)
Illustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Page 152 & 153.
Illustrated: Keilmann, J., Bode, R., Hamann, S., et al (Eds.). (2010). Turmaline aus der Pederneira-Mine. Messekatalog 2010 Mineralienmontage: Brasilien, Salzhemmendorf: Bode Verlag. Page 38.
Illustrated: Bode, R. (Ed.). (2010). Mineralien Welt 6/2010, Salzhemmendorf: Bode Verlag. Cover.
"This is like a king opening the crown jewels to bids from his subjects," said Jim Walker, Director of Fine Minerals auctions at Heritage. "Gerhard, while as humble and kind a man as you could ever hope to meet, is known as the King of Tourmalines. Collectors are chomping at the bit to obtain just a single piece of his extraordinary collection."
The June 7 auction also creates an opportunity for non-collectors to learn something about the beauty and value of the specimens not just as minerals, but as magnificent pieces of fine art.
"This collection ... illustrates the fact that the beauty of ... high-quality mineral specimens make them objects comparable to the most refined forms of art," writes Dr. Federico Pezzotta, Mineralogy Museum Curator in Milan, Italy in the book, The World of Tourmaline, which accompanies the auction.
Wagner's passion for collecting fine minerals dates back to his childhood, well before he could ever consider buying any of the specimens that have made him famous. The fascination that began as a child picking up fossils on the shores of Lake Constance, on the Rhine River in Germany, became a process of education, collecting and patience that have led to him being one of the most respected and well-liked names in the business.
"It was Gerhard's willingness to wait for the right specimen to appear, at the right time in his life, that makes him and his collection so extraordinary," said Walker. "He perfectly balanced the demands of collecting and family life over the decades to assemble what is nothing less than the finest grouping of its kind in existence."
The collection will be previewed in a highlight exhibition in Dallas, June 4-6, 2015.
The 432-lot collection, besides the tourmalines, includes elbaites, schorls, aquamarines, liddicoatite and other magnificent specimens from around the world.
Other highlights includes:
Tourmaline with quartz and albite on lepidolite - "Big Beauty". Burkhard's Pocket, 2006. Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $450,000 - $650,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
As Tourmaline specimens go, some are simple and uncomplicated; others, like this one, are a veritable carnival: a riotous mélange of colors and forms vying for attention, definitely a "Big Beauty." A former resident of Burkhard's Pocket, this rather large matrix specimen hosts at least 10 major Tourmaline prisms, some doubly-terminated, and a lot more minor ones, all rising from a mixed matrix of lavender Lepidolite and bluish-white blades of Cleavelandite. The tallest of the Tourmalines is some 5.7 inches (14.5 cm) in length, and there are several others approaching that size as well. Most of the Tourmalines show two to three colors in bands of various sizes along the length of the crystals. Commonly, they start with deep pink basal zones that abruptly change to a pale peach before moving on to alternating blue and green bands and culminating in terminations of either blue green or a dark olive green that appears almost black. Termination form seems to be evenly split between the planar blue-green type and the olive-green ones of complex faces. Mingling with the above mentioned matrix minerals are a number of water-clear Quartz crystals of excellent form. Condition is excellent for a specimen of its sheer size and complexity. When backlit, the specimen glows like Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.
Overall measurements: 11.0 x 7.8 x 11.0 inches (28 x 19.8 x 28 cm)
llustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Page 122-123.
Illustrated: Keilmann, J., Bode, R., Hamann, S., et al (Eds.). (2010). Turmaline aus der Pederneira-Mine. Messekatalog 2010 Mineralienmontage: Brasilien, Salzhemmendorf: Bode Verlag. Page 39.
Tourmaline on cleavelandite - "Blastoff". Grandon Pocket, 2004, Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $450,000 - $650,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
Rising from a pure white base of bladed Cleavelandite is a stunning group of multi-colored Tourmaline crystals of elongated form. The specimen is composed of roughly six crystals, but the aggregate is strongly dominated by a group displaying a radiating, sub-parallel habit with three terminated crystals taking flight from the matrix, hence the name: "Blastoff." The longest crystal in the group measures 7.08 inches (18 cm). The main crystal group shares dark pink coloration at the base, shifting to clean green for much of the crystals length before darkening to an olive green at the terminations. All of the crystals tend to show this progression. Luster is bright and glassy with numerous gemmy areas. The matrix is composed largely of colorless, white Albite crystals with a slight blue cast. In the center lies a small hollow lined with a few Lepidolites and sprouting several secondary Tourmalines; otherwise, no other minerals are evident. With the exception of one repair, overall condition is excellent to pristine and comes with a custom labeled base.
Overall measurements: 5.6 x 5.4 x 6.6 inches (14.2 x 13.7 x 16.8 cm)
Illustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Front cover and page 151.
Elbaite & Albite. Cruzeiro Mine, São José da Safira, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Estimate: $380,000 - $580,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
Mineral specimens are like anything else in life: there are good ones, so-so ones and outstanding ones. For the Cruzeiro Mine, this is one of the greatones. It is the best Cruzeiro green Tourmaline known, and it features a centrally located prism with a flat termination over 4 inches (10.16 cm) in length and with a diameter of 1.5 inches (3.7 cm). The color is an intense blue-green shifting to grass green just beneath the thin pink layer capping the termination. The lower portions of the Tourmaline are enclosed to some degree by large and colorless blades of Albite that form a rosette at the base of the Tourmaline crystal, containing several secondary Tourmalines of green coloration. Luster is glassy to brilliant on the striated prism faces. The specimen has been pictured in a number of books and was part of the "Brazilian Beauties" special exhibit at the Munich Gem & Mineral Show in 2010. There are two custom acrylic bases allowing for two different orientations. It is in superbly pristine condition.
Overall measurements: 2.8 x 4.5 x 2.8 inches (7.2 x 11.5 x 7 cm)
Illustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Page 93.
Elbaite - "The Hand". Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego Co., California, USA. Estimate: $300,000 - $500,000. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.
Some specimens are so different that it is impossible to mistake them for any others. Such is the case with "The Hand" - a very unusual multiple crystal group with eleven prisms of classic Himalaya pink color. The largest Crystal is 4.56 x 1.02 inches (11.6 x 2.6 cm), and the second largest is 3.81 x 1.1 inches (9.7 x 2.8 cm). All have typical green to pink coloration, great striations and fine transparency. Additionally, there are purple Lepidolite barrels up to 0.51 inches (1.3 cm) in length gracing the lower portion of the Tourmalines along with a colorless Quartz crystal measuring 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length and a few white Cleavelandite blades. Three of the Tourmaline crystals show typical fractures from in-pocket movements that have been repaired, but the majority (seven crystals) are in original condition and terminated. Overall, condition is excellent, and the compositional dynamic is most striking and unusual. It took one year in Dr. Pezzotta's labratory in Milano, Italy, to properly clean this piece. It should be seen in person because the complex arrangement is much better in three dimensions than in a two dimensional photo. It is accompanied by a labeled custom base.
Overall measurements: 5.3 x 5.8 x 2.6 inches (13.4 x 14.8 x 6.5 cm)
Illustrated: Fong/Walker, M., Neumeier, G., & Walker, J. (Eds.). (2015). The World of Tourmaline: The Gerhard Wagner Collection. Dallas, Texas: Ivy Press. Page 245.
