Tourmaline (M646)
Usually Paprok is well known for the typical pastel like colors. When you look at this crystal you will see a very uncommon strong saturation. There were two finds, which produce very similar material. In more recent years - I think between 2002 and 2005 - there was a pocket, which produce the same dark pink to red color, also the same grassy-green zoning and the light lavender zone at the end-points.
The other discovery was more than 25 years ago, the famous German dealer Andreas Weerth (who was one of the first dealers and collectors who explored the area) brought them to the market. These material was very similar, same pink red at the base, same green and same lavender end-points. The is only one small difference between the older and the new discovery.
The old ones show a small light blue (sky blue to cyan) zoning between the upper green section and lavender end-points. When you look at the particular crystal you can see this small blue area below the end-points. The crystal is very translucent. I also photographed it just under daylight, but I think you imagine how spectacular it
looks with backlight or in a cabinet. The termination is razor sharp all around and the end-points show very attractive and interesting modifications.
Now to luster: many crystals from Paprok always have a less attractive side, covered with a micro second generation, which makes the crystals
look dull. Not so here - luster and termination is perfect all around. Minor Muscovite is inter grown at the lower base, bottom was extracted from the rock. No significant damages at all. This material is really rare and hard to obtain, the quantity was small when the pocket was discovered and 25 years later the crystals are scattered to the four winds. And it was an important discovery with this very strong colors, which are exceptional for the area. Ex Dr. Prof. Marc Robert Friedman coll.
Usually Paprok is well known for the typical pastel like colors. When you look at this crystal you will see a very uncommon strong saturation. There were two finds, which produce very similar material. In more recent years - I think between 2002 and 2005 - there was a pocket, which produce the same dark pink to red color, also the same grassy-green zoning and the light lavender zone at the end-points.
The other discovery was more than 25 years ago, the famous German dealer Andreas Weerth (who was one of the first dealers and collectors who explored the area) brought them to the market. These material was very similar, same pink red at the base, same green and same lavender end-points. The is only one small difference between the older and the new discovery.
The old ones show a small light blue (sky blue to cyan) zoning between the upper green section and lavender end-points. When you look at the particular crystal you can see this small blue area below the end-points. The crystal is very translucent. I also photographed it just under daylight, but I think you imagine how spectacular it
looks with backlight or in a cabinet. The termination is razor sharp all around and the end-points show very attractive and interesting modifications.
Now to luster: many crystals from Paprok always have a less attractive side, covered with a micro second generation, which makes the crystals
look dull. Not so here - luster and termination is perfect all around. Minor Muscovite is inter grown at the lower base, bottom was extracted from the rock. No significant damages at all. This material is really rare and hard to obtain, the quantity was small when the pocket was discovered and 25 years later the crystals are scattered to the four winds. And it was an important discovery with this very strong colors, which are exceptional for the area. Ex Dr. Prof. Marc Robert Friedman coll.
Usually Paprok is well known for the typical pastel like colors. When you look at this crystal you will see a very uncommon strong saturation. There were two finds, which produce very similar material. In more recent years - I think between 2002 and 2005 - there was a pocket, which produce the same dark pink to red color, also the same grassy-green zoning and the light lavender zone at the end-points.
The other discovery was more than 25 years ago, the famous German dealer Andreas Weerth (who was one of the first dealers and collectors who explored the area) brought them to the market. These material was very similar, same pink red at the base, same green and same lavender end-points. The is only one small difference between the older and the new discovery.
The old ones show a small light blue (sky blue to cyan) zoning between the upper green section and lavender end-points. When you look at the particular crystal you can see this small blue area below the end-points. The crystal is very translucent. I also photographed it just under daylight, but I think you imagine how spectacular it
looks with backlight or in a cabinet. The termination is razor sharp all around and the end-points show very attractive and interesting modifications.
Now to luster: many crystals from Paprok always have a less attractive side, covered with a micro second generation, which makes the crystals
look dull. Not so here - luster and termination is perfect all around. Minor Muscovite is inter grown at the lower base, bottom was extracted from the rock. No significant damages at all. This material is really rare and hard to obtain, the quantity was small when the pocket was discovered and 25 years later the crystals are scattered to the four winds. And it was an important discovery with this very strong colors, which are exceptional for the area. Ex Dr. Prof. Marc Robert Friedman coll.
Tourmaline (M646)
Afghanistan
LOCATION
Paprok, Nuristan, Afghanistan
SIZE
114 x 25 x 22 mm
DESCRIPTION
Usually Paprok is well known for the typical pastel like colors. When you look at this crystal you will see a very uncommon strong saturation. There were two finds, which produce very similar material. In more recent years - I think between 2002 and 2005 - there was a pocket, which produce the same dark pink to red color, also the same grassy-green zoning and the light lavender zone at the end-points.
The other discovery was more than 25 years ago, the famous German dealer Andreas Weerth (who was one of the first dealers and collectors who explored the area) brought them to the market. These material was very similar, same pink red at the base, same green and same lavender end-points. The is only one small difference between the older and the new discovery.
The old ones show a small light blue (sky blue to cyan) zoning between the upper green section and lavender end-points. When you look at the particular crystal you can see this small blue area below the end-points. The crystal is very translucent. I also photographed it just under daylight, but I think you imagine how spectacular it
looks with backlight or in a cabinet. The termination is razor sharp all around and the end-points show very attractive and interesting modifications.
Now to luster: many crystals from Paprok always have a less attractive side, covered with a micro second generation, which makes the crystals
look dull. Not so here - luster and termination is perfect all around. Minor Muscovite is inter grown at the lower base, bottom was extracted from the rock. No significant damages at all. This material is really rare and hard to obtain, the quantity was small when the pocket was discovered and 25 years later the crystals are scattered to the four winds. And it was an important discovery with this very strong colors, which are exceptional for the area. Ex Dr.Prof. Marc Robert Friedman coll.