Aquamarine Crystals on Quartz - NERA 027

Measurements:  39 x 23 x 22 mm

Description:  Two aquamarine crystals fused together (32 x 14 x 08 mm), with one of the terminations having a peculiar, small aquamarine crystal sitting on it. 

The aquamarine crystals sit on a matrix of damaged quartz crystals, a well-shaped quartz crystal and several tiny muscovite crystals (image top right). The aquamarine crystals have a thin coating of iron oxide in and just beneath its surface.

The only damage to the aquamarine crystals, is at the base. The quartz crystal has a few small nicks.

Chemical Composition:  Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈  (aquamarine)
                                       SiO₂  (quartz)  
                                       KAl₂(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH_,F)₂  (muscovite)

Hardness on Mohs Scale:  (aquamarine)  7.5 - 8.0
                                          (quartz)  7
                                          (muscovite)  2-2.5

Location:  Erongo, Namibia.

Specimen Code:  NERA 027

US $ 75