AQUAMARINE. Medina, Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Photo Heritage Auctions.

Aquamarine, when found as "gem grade" crystals is normally turned into faceted stones within days of being mined. In 1997, an atypical series of coincidences came together when the 'pocket' containing this and other crystals was found and those coincidences resulted in a few specimens being saved from the cutters. The short form of that story involves: 1) Word leaking out that an exceptional find had recently been made, 2) a collector, fortuitously informed of that find, cajoles a short 'stay of execution' for the crystals, 3) then the collector hastily formed a consortium pooling their available money to acquire as many of the crystals as possible, and finally 4) he purchased the few crystals that the group could afford, at full, per carat gem prices. Except for those few crystals that were spared in this scenario, none of that remarkable find remains intact today. The rescued crystals swiftly gained legendary status due to their exceptional character. This exquisite crystal is one of those legendary Medina Aquamarines and was immortalized on the front cover of March-April 2002 edition of The Mineralogical Record.

The unearthly impact of this simple prism combines a number of factors rarely seen in single examples. In color, it exhibits a striking green-blue hue that truly warrants the title: "Aquamarine", for the simple reason that the closest color match is the seawater washing tropical shores. Its form combines the simplicity of a single prism with rare terminal faces bearing a host of 'growth hillocks' of intriguing complexity. Moreover, that lustrous exterior allows the exceptionally limpid interior to shine through, inciting evil thoughts in gem cutters, of what very large rings and brooches it could be turned into. As if that wasn't enough, the overall size of the specimen at 9 inches (22.9 cm) in height and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) across - in itself, firmly establishes it as a significant specimen of its type.
Overall measurements: 9 x 1.5 inches (22.9 x 3.8 cm). Offered at no reserve. Estimate: $150,000 - $250,000.

Illustrated References: The Mineralogical Record. March-April 2002, Vol. 33, No. 2, cover (crystal on right).

Provenance: Ex. Keith Proctor collection [Hoppel Catalog # D2214]

Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas