Brookite, Anatase &
Rutile from Pakistan
Over the last two years, some top "Alpine"-type
specimens have been trickling out of one of the most dangerous and
forbidden areas in Pakistan. Some of you may know that I'm a big fan
of Alpine and "Alpine-type" minerals. These new specimens are some
of the finest quality and most impressive "Alpine-type" pieces I've
seen from Pakistan. Reminiscent of the finest TRUE ALPINE specimens
from the European Alps, these pieces feature crystals that are just
as sharp, lustrous and perfect by comparison. If these new specimens
from Pakistan were found in Italy or Switzerland or Norway they
would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a piece to knowledgeable
collectors (if you could even get a European collector to part with
one). The Brookite specimens in this update are just as sharp,
lustrous, gemmy and colorful as those from the Italian or Swiss
Alps, if not more so. The Anatase specimens rival the quality of the
finest Norwegian Anatase specimens for crystal size, color, luster
and superb textbook form. The two reticulated "Sagenite" Rutile
specimens remind me of pieces I've seen from the French Alps, so
you've got a great mix of superb quality pieces that are top quality
and would definitely excite Alpine collectors.
Enjoy !!
No. Brook Pak 7062
Brookite on Quartz -
$750
I've seen my share of these new Brookites, and the hardest thing to find is
large, undamaged aesthetic crystals on an attractive matrix. Keep in mind that
the majority of Brookite crystals on matrix from the various Alpine localities
are only a few millimeters in length, so to find crystals of this size is a real
treat. This piece features some superb quality, very lustrous, rich dark
orange-brown color, elongated, thin tabular crystals of Brookite which are
associated with outstanding, sharp, lustrous, "Alpine"-type, GEM quality Quartz
crystals on matrix. The overall size of the specimen is very good for this find,
and the quality of the crystals is superb. The piece was somewhat difficult to
photograph, but it's very showy in person and displays beautifully. This species
is not necessarily rare, but to find a well crystallized matrix specimen such as
this one is exceedingly difficult in today's market. A great combination of
excellence and aesthetics in a matrix specimen.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 9.5 x 6.2 x 4.7 cm.
Largest Crystal: 2.3 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Brook Pak 7065
Brookite "Floater" -
$500
How this piece survived is truly a miracle of
nature, and one of the more remarkable specimens from this find that I've seen.
This new find of Brookites in Pakistan has really set the bar high for Brookites
from other world localities. I've seen small (most are only a few mm) red
crystals of Brookite from Italy, and I've seen larger, but much paler color
crystals of Brookite from Russia, but when you get a combination of fiery
red-orange color, AND a large crystal, it makes the piece so impressive and put
it in a category that separates it from virtually all other Brookite crystals
out there. This particular specimen features a pair of amazingly superb quality,
large, razor-sharp, lustrous, GEM/gemmy, fiery red-orange color crystals of
Brookite with classic black "phantoms" running the length of the crystals, but
the greatest feature of the piece is the fact that it is a "FLOATER" crystal
group with essentially no point of contact anywhere on the specimen. These
crystals are so brittle and delicate that it should have suffered some kind of
noticeable damage, but this piece clearly came off the matrix during a period of
tectonic activity and was able to recrystallize in a soft area of pocket clay
where it stayed out of danger. I can't say enough about this piece ! It is such a
remarkable specimen, and the classic "phantoms" inside leave nothing to be
desired ! Trust me folks, if this piece was found in the Alps, you bet it would
be worth well over $1000 ! To be fair, I have seen a few larger crystals from
Pakistan, but they were either black and without any kind of gem transparency or
they were riddled with damage. Realistically this anomaly of nature is a superb
thumbnail specimen, and most collectors don't have any fine, rich red-orange
color gem quality crystals of Brookite in their collections, so it would fit
favorably any collection.
Locality:
Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 1.7 x 1.5 x 0.5 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Brook Pak 7066
Brookite on Quartz -
$400
I've seen my share of these new Brookites, and the hardest thing to find is good
size, undamaged aesthetic crystals on an attractive matrix, and to find gem
quality crystals on matrix is even more rare. Keep in mind that the majority of
Brookite crystals on matrix from the various Alpine localities are only a few
millimeters in length, so to find crystals of this size and quality is a real
treat. This piece features some superb quality, very lustrous, rich red color
tabular crystal of Brookite with classic black "phantoms" running the length of
the crystals. The Brookite crystals are sitting amongst small, gem quality
Quartz crystals on matrix. The overall size of the specimen is good for this
find, and the quality of the crystals is superb. This is definitely one of the
more aesthetic specimens I've seen as well. This piece is very showy in person
and displays beautifully. Brookite is not necessarily rare, but to find a well
crystallized matrix specimen such as this one is exceedingly difficult in
today's market. A great combination of excellence and aesthetics in a matrix
specimen.
Locality:
Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 4.2 x 3.8 x 3.0 cm.
Largest Crystal: 1.2 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7063
Anatase on Albite and Quartz -
$450
These new Anatase
specimens are some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world.
Reminiscent of the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even
the top quality "Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as
sharp, lustrous and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in
Italy, Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a
piece to knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to
part with one). That's how good they are. This particular specimens hosts a
PERFECT, razor-sharp, lustrous, doubly-terminated, deep inky blue color Anatase
crystal associated with gem quality Quartz crystals and lustrous, sharp,
somewhat gemmy Albite crystals (some are twinned) on matrix. I photographed the
little Albites under the microscope to show what great quality they are. What a
great crystal on a wonderfully contrasting matrix, and a superb miniature
specimen !
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 4.9 x 4.7 x 1.7 cm.
Largest Crystal: 9 mm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7065
Anatase on Albite and Quartz -
$650
These new Anatase
specimens are some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world.
Reminiscent of the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even
the top quality "Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as
sharp, lustrous and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in
Italy, Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a
piece to knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to
part with one). That's how good they are. This particular specimens hosts a trio
of PERFECT, razor-sharp, lustrous, doubly-terminated, deep inky blue color
Anatase crystals associated with lustrous, sharp, somewhat gemmy Albite crystals
(some are twinned) on matrix. For the overall, size, aesthetics and quality,
this is one of the top pieces I've seen.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 5.8 x 3.0 x 1.6 cm.
Largest Crystal: 8.5 mm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7067
Anatase on Albite and Quartz -
$200
These new Anatase specimens are
some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world. Reminiscent of
the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even the top quality
"Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as sharp, lustrous
and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in Italy,
Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a piece to
knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to part
with one). That's how good they are. This particular specimens hosts a trio of
superb quality, razor-sharp, lustrous, deep inky blue and golden bi-color
Anatase crystals on matrix. A very nice quality specimen that displays well.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 4.0 x 3.3 x 2.3 cm.
Largest Crystal: 5 mm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7064
Anatase on Quartz -
$400
These new Anatase specimens are
some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world. Reminiscent of
the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even the top quality
"Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as sharp, lustrous
and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in Italy,
Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a piece to
knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to part
with one). That's how good they are. This particular specimen hosts a superb
quality, razor-sharp, doubly-terminated, lustrous, deep inky blue Anatase
crystal very aesthetically sitting on "Chlorite" coated Quartz crystals. In my
experience, it is the most difficult to find the Anatase crystals from this
locality directly on Quartz matrix, and this is my only specimen of said
association.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 2.6 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm.
Largest Crystal: 9 mm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7062
Anatase -
$175
These new Anatase specimens are
some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world. Reminiscent of
the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even the top quality
"Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as sharp, lustrous
and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in Italy,
Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a piece to
knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to part
with one). That's how good they are. This specimen is a very sharp, highly
lustrous, doubly-terminated, well formed quasi-"floater" crystal of Anatase with
a nice golden and blue color and small gemmy areas. The crystal actually formed
in clay so it was never really on matrix, but it's not a true "floater" by
definition. The color of this crystal is what is referred to
as "Wiserine" in the Alps. This is a very fine quality Anatase crystal from any
locality, and if it were from Norway, it would be highly prized by collectors.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 1.7 x 1.2 x 0.8 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Ana Pak 7061
Anatase -
$200
These new Anatase specimens are
some of the finest quality "Alpine-type" Anatase in the world. Reminiscent of
the finest TRUE ALPINE Anatase specimens from the Alps or even the top quality
"Alpine-type" specimens from Norway, these crystals are just as sharp, lustrous
and perfect ! If these new specimens from Pakistan were found in Italy,
Switzerland or Norway, they would be worth thousands (!) of dollars a piece to
knowledgeable collectors (if you could even get a European collector to part
with one). That's how good they are. This specimen is a very sharp, highly
lustrous, doubly-terminated, well formed crystal of Anatase with a nice golden
color and small gemmy areas. The color of this crystal is what
is referred to as "Wiserine" in the Alps. This is a very fine quality Anatase
crystal from any locality, and if it were from Norway, it would be highly prized
by collectors.
Locality: Kharan, Baluchistan, Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 1.7 x 1.0 x 0.8 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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No. Rut Pak 7063
Rutile Twin -
$100
Here we have another
"Alpine"-type Rutile from Pakistan. The specimen reminds me of Rutile crystals
that I've seen from the famous Binntal in Switzerland, except that this crystal
is quite large compared to most from the Binntal. This twinned Rutile crystal has
a
bright metallic luster with very sharp, well-formed faces and striations along c
{001}. It's unusual to see a prismatic twinned Rutile like this, perhaps they're
better known from Graves Mountain in Georgia, but I've rarely seen them in
"Alpine"-type localities. The termination is virtually undamaged and you can see
a reentrant angle where the twinning began. It's not a full twin on all sides,
but still twinned nonetheless. In spite of the silvery appearance to the crystal,
it has a light golden color in areas as well. This is by no means a "reference"
crystal from Pakistan, it's actually one of the best Rutile twins I've seen from
this relatively new locality.
Locality: Torghar, Khyber Agency,
Pakistan.
Specimen Size: 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.7 cm.
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To order this specimen click
here
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