Back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to be around when the “floaters” pocket (the one that was cemented shut late 2013) was being offered and I got to look at about 400 specimens from that pocket. In my opinion this was one of the top 10 pieces there. Most of the specimens had microscopic blemishes, but some had the electric color, superb luster and minor malachite. This is one of those with the color, luster and the form. Choice!

Groups of bright blue azurite crystals on velvety green malachite. Choice old timer.

Transparent and lustrous, pastel yellow bladed crystals of barite to 3.4 cm, on a sandstone matrix. These came out quite a few years back and were plentiful, but have dried up now. One of the better larger pieces from this find.

Lustrous and transparent yellow blades of barite on matrix. These were found over a decade ago (time flies) and could be the best barite locality in the US, unfortunately, there is no mas!

Bladed crystals barite have been completely replaced by pastel chalky blue-green chrysocolla. A sprinkling of bright green acicular malachite creates an attractive contrast on this completely unique pseudomorph floater. Acquired from Gilbert Gauthier in 1999.

During the summer of 2012, a small lot of the deep blue aquas appeared on the market and were thought to be Vorobyevite. After analysis by Dr. Federico Pezzotta in Milan, they were confirmed to be a cesium included beryl, but not rich enough to be vorobyevite. Most of the crystals found were under 2.5 cm wide, so this one would be in the top percent for quality color and crystal size (3.4 cm!). No more have been found.

A group of approximately 12 medium blue crystals that run from milky to gemmy, of the aquamarine variety of beryl, in parallel growth forming a divergent spray with textbook, complete terminations. There is one small broken crystal which prevents it from being a 360 degree rock, but as you can see from the photos, this miniature displays beautifully and is actually a good companion to the indicolite (no. 3449). Choice!

A very unusually zoned aquamarine crystal with an exceptional termination and a cloudy core that forms a hexagonal outline within the crystal. As you can see, the beryl is cloudy up until the termination, drawing a very distinct line and then becomes of faceting grade. This wonderful crystal sits on a matrix of quartz, feldspar and a smaller beryl on one side. Super!

A bi-colored naturally etched beryl crystal (pastel blue and pink) sits inside a pastel greyish cast of biotite crystals. Herb’s label says aquamarine, but I believe the center of the crystal runs towards pink morganite. One of the most unique specimens I have ever encountered. * For some reason I could not get blue color correctly on photos, they appear greener than they are, instead of blue.

A medium green, lustrous emerald crystals with a flat termination measuring 2.7 cm sits vertically on a very dark schist matrix alongside a 2.5 cm emerald crystal that’s lying horizontally on it’s left. A very rare beryl from Afghanistan, I have seen very few emeralds from this locality on the market.