TWO RED BERYL CRYSTALS ON RHYOLITE MATRIX
Crystal Dimensions - 12mm x 5mm x 5mm (each)
Estimated crystal weight:  3-5 carat (each)

Here is pair of medium-sized, well-formed red beryl crystals on an iron-stained rhyolite matrix.

Emeralds form in rhyolite cracks.  Multiple crystals will often attempt to materialize in the same crack.  The second crystal also features a rare ledge or stair-step modification on one of its termination ends! 

The bottom of this specimen is still affixed with a number tag of "1036" (believed to be from Kennecott's initial exploration), with an original estimated value in 1994-1995 dollars.  Own a piece of mining history!

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This piece came from the collection of Earle Foster, one of the former mine owners before and after Kennecott.  He had a number of nice pieces, and Earle typically did not alter them in any way, prepare or try to make them appear like the ones you typically see at high-end shows…where significant work has been done on the crystals.

Many attempt to “clean” dust and dirt from the crystal faces...but some solvents remove iron-staining from the rhyolite, as well (the iron on this specimen indicates that has not been performed on this specimen).  After cleaning, another available ‘enhancement’ is to put the whole specimen in some sort of liquid (Opticon, Excel, Gemetrat…there are many options)…just as faceters do with the cut stones.  This causes surface fissures to become less-noticeable and/or make them disappear.  This also helps bond crystals to the host rock, diminishing any risk of detachment.

This specimen is exactly as Mr. Foster found it in nature, and it is offered preserved in that original state.