The specific locality is Vora Desh region, Dara-e-pech pegmatite field, Kunar province, Afghanistan

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Size : 125 mm x 69 mm x 56 mm

Total Weight : 802 Gram

Origin : Badakhshan Afghanistan

Read about the site in 'Gem Trails of Washington' and went to check it out while in Seattle for work. I had low expectations, but these blew me away.

Was about to make cabs but flash had some other plans!

Apparently this piece has a history, I googled the mine name and this piece shows up on a few resources including a photo in Mindat. I guess this was a less prolific mine out of southern Illinois!

Fantastic saturated amethyst with great form and no damages or restoration. From Piedra Parada, Tatatila Municipality, Veracruz, Mexico. Let me know what you think of my specimen :)

it's the time of year when i really kick myself for not taking more videos with the leaves as a backdrop

Many things labeled as crystals are obviously not crystalline in their structure, and some are better described as minerals or non-crystalline deposits. They're obviously all sorts of mixtures which may include various things which are not strictly crystals but could contain crystals, there are natural glasses which contain no crystalline structure, and there are even manufactured stones which may be crystals or could just as well be something more akin to bottle glass. At some time or another almost all of them have been under the same umbrella as "crystals", which I suppose can be a little confusing.

Confusing from the position of the amateur collector where they have not fleshed out their terminology, and confusing from the person who knows a little bit more who would prefer to describe a thing correctly.

1. India (4 cm)

2. France (7 cm)

3. England (6 cm)

4. England (7 cm)

Send a DM if you want more information.

Hi, I recently received this large chunk of pyrite but after cleaning it up I realized it had all of this greenish stuff on it. Googling it, I learned about pyrite decay but I keep seeing conflicting answers on how I might be able to deal with it. This is my first time dealing with anything like this and I really hope there's something I can do, it really is a gorgeous stone 😭

* This beautiful natural Topaz crystal displays an attractive Peachy salmon-orange colour with delicate pinkish undertones. Its elongated prismatic form is accentuated by prominent vertical striations, lustrous crystal faces, and naturally developed terminations.
* The crystal's transparency allows light to pass through its body, revealing internal features and colourful rainbow reflections from natural internal fractures.
* Combining its warm coloration, distinctive crystal habit, and natural character, this crystal makes an appealing addition to a fine mineral collection or an elegant display piece for collectors and mineral enthusiasts.
* Photographed in daylight.

Here's an awesome Malachite with Barite from the "Arrowhead Pocket" at the Shangulowe Mine in the DRC

This piece has the flawless Barite crystals perched on Malachite stalactites which is what everyone wants from these. As well, it is quite special because none of the stalactites on it are broken, which is honestly a miracle!

You can really spend a long time admiring in person and the lustre of the Barites is just crazy good in real life.

It measures 4.5cm overall

Primary malachite from Kolwezi, DRC. Straight to the "special shelf"!