Chinese Aquamarine Specimens
The Chinese aquamarines from Ping Wu have reached a new all time high in 2007. The color of this new material is a couple of shades darker than anything we have seen in past years. You won’t mistake these for goshenite! There was small amount of this material at one of my regular suppliers at the 2007 Tucson Show. She had these along side some old inventory and it was easy to see the difference. The darkness of these crystals reaches, and in many cases exceeds, the color of the typical Pakistani aquas. The material was so nice I bought almost all of it, old and new alike. Unless noted all these specimens are floater clusters with no points of attachment. Some have matrix present while many are entirely aqua crystals with some minor muscovite or quartz in association. This could represent a very limited find. As you well know Ping Wu specimens are already becoming hard to find and rather pricy (yet they average about half the price of aquas having equal masses from Pakistan!). These are priced fairly… not nearly as high as many of the other dealers who only have a few in their inventory. These are tough to photograph and much nicer than the photos make them out to be. ALL THESE SPECIMENS ARE SLIGHTLY DARKER THAN THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS
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OKE-206 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This piece is composed of a grouping of dark blue crystals to 3 cm each with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is muscovite in moderate quantity on one side of the specimen. The piece measures 9.2 x 7.1 x 4.5 cm. Everything is damage free and the piece is a floater with no signs of contact to anything. This is a highly desirable, damage free display specimen which can be displayed numerous ways and will add some flash to any case. Excellent specimen! 575$
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OKE-201 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This piece is composed of a dark blue crystal 6 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is muscovite in a thick pod which forms the base of the specimen. The piece measures 6.5 x 5 x 4 cm and displays naturally standing on the base of muscovite. Everything is damage free and the piece is a floater with no signs of contact to anything. This is a highly desirable, damage free display specimen which will add some flash to any case. Excellent specimen with a nice price for such a great gem. 400$
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OKE-195 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of medium blue crystals to 5.5 cm wide with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is quartz at base of the specimen in long crystals on of which is dinged and has a matrix contact. The piece measures 7.7 x 6 x 5.8 cm and displays several different ways. There is minor muscovite on clusters backside. The aquas are damage free. This is a highly desirable, damage free display specimen which will add some flash to any case. Excellent specimen! 625$
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OKE-163 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of medium blue crystals 9.7 cm wide, 5 cm high and 5.5 cm deep with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is thick layer of muscovite which comprises what I would describe as the base of the specimen. The largest crystal is 3 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick. The piece displays several different ways the best of which seems to be with the muscovite laden area facing down or back. The entire piece is a floater. The only evidence of any previous contact to the earth is a small regrown face on the extreme side. A fine piece in all regards. Excellent specimen! 400$
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OKE-173 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of a single medium blue crystal 7.5 cm wide, 6.3 cm high and 2.5 cm deep with very complex form and an attractive phantom. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is thin layer of muscovite which comprises what I would describe as the base of the specimen. There are a couple of nice rider crystals in addition to the primary one. The piece displays several different ways the best of which seems to be with the muscovite laden area facing down. The entire piece is a floater. Zero damage. Top shelf specimen all the way! 880$
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OKE-175 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of deep blue crystals to 6.5 cm wide, 6 cm high and 4.2 cm deep with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is thick shelf of muscovite separates the largest crystal and its riders from a layer of smaller crystal which make up the base of the piece. Overall measurements are 9.5 x 9.2 x 8 cm. The piece displays several different ways. The entire piece is a floater with only a couple tint attachment marks to quartz (on the bottom of specimen). The top of the main crystal which has a regrown contact mark which is distracting when viewed from the top down. At, or above, eye level this isn’t and issue. A fine piece in all regards. Excellent specimen! 1,200$
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OKE-180 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of light blue crystals to 4.5 cm. The piece measures 7 x 4.5 x 4.8 cm. At the base of the piece there are several pink apatites which are, for the most part, highly etched. The base is cleaved off the matrix which it was once on so it displays nicely on this surface. Minor contact area on the lower backside and minor quartz. A fine piece in all regards. Excellent specimen and a great deal at…. 230$
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OKE-182 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of deep blue crystals which total 8 x 5.8 x 6 cm and have a very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. It displays several different ways in that the entire piece is a floater. Selective phantom on a single face which has tiny dots of micro mineral which is black in color. Interesting and desirable. A fine piece in all regards. 740$
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OKE-193 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of deep blue crystals which total 6.5 x 5 x 5cm and have a very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. It displays several different ways in that the entire piece is a floater. Its hard to say how to display this specimen given that all the views are excellent. A nice specimen and price….395$
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OKE-126 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of light to medium blue crystals to 5.1 cm on which are tabular with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is one old contact on the smallest end where it was against another crystal. The piece measures 7.3 x 4.8 x 4 cm and displays several different ways including vertically (standing on and hiding the contact). Muscovite crystals are minor and brown in color. Very light phantoms present. The largest crystal is exceptionally clear for this material. Excellent specimen! 500$
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OKE-141 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of very deep ble crystals (first image is realistic for color) which measure 4.7 cm wide and 4 cm thick and are thick with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is minor quartz at base of the specimen. The piece measures 10 x 7.5 x 7 cm and displays several different ways the best of which seems to be on its edge with the small basil contact facing down and back. Mucovite crystals are mostly on matrix areas leaving the crystals exceptionally clean. Zero damage. This is a highly desirable, damage free display specimen which will add some flash to any case. Excellent specimen! 800$
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OKE-135 Aquamarine and Muscovite RESERVED (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of very deep blue crystals 11.5 cm wide, 7.3 cm high and 7 cm deep with very complex form. Some unusual faces present here with which I am unfamiliar. There is minor quartz at base of the specimen. The largest crystal is 7 cm wide. The piece displays several different ways the best of which seems to be on its edge with the muscovite laden area facing back. There is a tiny bit of quartz on the display face which is mostly chipped off otherwise the entire piece is a floater. This is a highly desirable display specimen which will add some flash to any minerals case. Excellent specimen! 1,400$
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OKE-042 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This large cluster is composed of light blue crystals to 7.5 cm on which are tabular with very complex form. Lots of unusual faces present here with which I am unfarmiliar. There are a couple of old contacts which have been recrystalized. The piece measures 10 x 10 x 8 and displays several different ways. Excellent gem! 800$
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OKE-043 Aquamarine, Quartz, Feldspar and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This cluster is composed of medium blue crystals to 3 cm. This matrix specimen has a sawn flat base and displays nicely. The quartz are large and one has a small tip ding. No other damage to the specimen other than this. The piece measures 8 x 7 x 5.5 cm and priced to go fast. 325$
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OKE-044 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. This large cluster is composed of dark blue crystals to 5.5 cm on which are tabular with complex form. There are a couple of old contacts and damage to several of the quartz crystals. The big aquas are in good shape, however. The piece measures 12 x 7.5 x 6 cm and displays several different ways. Attractive piece. 600$
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OKE-242 Aquamarine, Quartz and Muscovite Huya Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. 11.1 x 9.6 cm plate of aquas, clear quartz and large muscovite blades. Largest aqua measures 3 cm. This is an older specimen which is composed of aquas of complex tabular form with sharp edges and light blue color. A fine, large, damage free specimen which displays great. 200$
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OKE-243 Aquamarine and Muscovite (2007 Specimen) Xue Bao Ding Mine, Ping Wu, Sichuan Prov., China. A fantastic plate of large aquas (to 4.7 cm) on muscovite. This beautiful specimen has the majority of its aquas standing on edge well off the matrix. These medium blue crystals have some slightly etched faces, and others that are high in luster with scalloped stepped growths. One crystal on edge is clipped off but otherwise a perfect specimen. This is an old price which is now a bargain. 385$
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OKA-742 Aquamarine Sichuan, China. 8 x 6 cm plate (sawed flat base) of muscovite crystals has at least 7 gemmy light blue aquas to 2.7 cm each. Tabular crystal form, showy with no damage. Great price... 38$
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OKA-789B Aquamarine Sichuan, China. 7 x 5 x 5 cm tall piece with one large (almost 4 cm) aqua and several 1 cm plus. 48$
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OKA-658 Aquamarine Sichuan, China. Tabular. hexagonal, light blue, gemmy crystals. This one is a larger crystal, 2.5 cm with others on an attractive bed of muscovite. These crystals are more gemmy than usual. 32$
OKA-691 Aquamarine/ Feldspar/ Muscovite Sichuan, China. Superb light blue, tabular aquas on muscovite matrix plates. Finally, some competition for the Pakistan aquamarines! OKA-691-A and B have large white feldspar crystals too. I know it is unusual to see good quality aquas for less than 100$. Don¹t let these low prices frighten you off. They are great specimens for, what now, is a great price.
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OKA-691A 7.5 x 5.2 cm plate with some crystals on back too. Largest aqua is 3.5
cm and largest feldspar is 2 cm. 40$
OKA-691E 5 x 5 cm triangular shaped piece with 1 major crystal of approx. 3 cm.
25$
OKA-691G 7.5 x 6.5 cm sawed plate with several crystals, largest being over 2
cm. 25$
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OKA-657 Aquamarine Sichuan, China. Tabular. hexagonal, light blue, gemmy
crystals. This one is a cluster of little beauties to 2 cm each. 5 x 4 x 2.5 cm.
Very nice. 20$
OKA-656 Aquamarine Sichuan, China. Tabular, hexagonal, light blue, gemmy
crystals. This one is a single 2 cm crystal on a sawed section on matrix. Good
representative piece, but, tiny. 3.5 x 2 cm. 6$
OKA-789 Aquamarine/ Feldspar/ Muscovite Sichuan, China. Superb light blue,
tabular aquas on muscovite matrix plates. Finally, some competition for the
Pakistan aquamarines! Most have bases that have been sawed flat and can be
displayed on edge or lying down. I know it is unusual to see good quality aquas
for less than 100$. These are great specimens for, what now, is a great price.
OKA-789A 5 x 5 cm piece with beautiful crystals to 1.5 cm each. Approx 10
crystals mostly smaller. 20$
OKA-789 Aquamarine/ Feldspar/ Muscovite Sichuan, China. Superb light blue,
tabular aquas on muscovite matrix plates. Finally, some competition for the
Pakistan aquamarines! Most have bases that have been sawed flat and can be
displayed on edge or lying down. I know it is unusual to see good quality aquas
for less than 100$. These are great specimens for, what now, is a great price.
OKA-789C 7 x 5.5 cm piece with one nice 2.7 cm aqua. Nice 35$
OKA-789D 7 x 6 cm piece with two big crystals to 3.5 cm which stand up nicely
off matrix. Broken off crystal near side of piece. Good specimen. 45$
OKA-789F 5 x 5 cm piece with one larger crystal (3 cm) and others on dolomite.
30$
OKA-824 Azurite China. Great ball of deep blue blades to one cm each. This piece is 3.5 cm and shaped like and oval. Very nice. 35$
