Natural History
Natural History
Wushan Spessartine Mine, Tongbei, Yunxiao Co., Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
No reserve
Auction Closed
July 26, 08:15 PM GMT
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 USD
Lot Details
Description
Spessartine with Smoky Quartz
Wushan Spessartine Mine, Tongbei, Yunxiao Co., Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
10.1 x 15.9 x 7.62 cm (4 x 6¼ x 3 in). With custom acrylic base.
The spessartine mines of Tongbei are renowned for attractive combination specimens such as this one, featuring orange spessartine garnet adorning dramatic smoky quartz crystals. This cabinet-sized piece features approximately a dozen smoky quartz crystals tapering to perfect points on a feldspar matrix. The entire piece is then studded with scores of bright, cinnamon-orange spessartine garnet crystals, providing beautiful contrast and composition for this well-balanced piece.
These combination specimens once came out in abundance from Tongbei. However, production has slowed to a trickle in recent years, and many of the mines in the region have shut down with only sparse production. These spessartine–quartz combinations are some of the most attractive and display-worthy specimens to come out of China in recent memory.