Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed nowBy subscribing, you are agreeing to the privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographic / RAREST Herkimer Diamond — 6.20 carats Exceptional clarity...
This remarkable natural 6.20-carat Herkimer Diamond is an exceptionally impressive collectible piece, combining in just 14 × 10.6 × 7.6 mm a strongly expressed crystal morphology, high transparency, and above all an internal architecture of exceptional complexity. Its geometric silhouette, natural terminations, brilliant faces, and extraordinarily structured heart give it the appearance of a crafted crystal, while this geometry is the result of natural growth. Through its clearest zones, a true miniature universe appears, composed of reflective planes, veils, growth fractures, microstructures, and mineral specks that overlay at different depths. Every change of orientation completely transforms the specimen: some structures disappear while others become silvered or almost metallic under light. Such a combination of crystallization, transparency, double termination, brilliance, and internal complexity makes this piece particularly desirable for a specialized collection. Despite its historical name “Herkimer Diamond,” this is not a diamond in the mineralogical sense: it is a rare biterminated quartz specimen, sought precisely for this extraordinary natural morphology. Characteristics - Name: Herkimer Diamond - Mineral nature: Biterminated quartz - Origin: Pakistan - Weight: 6.20 carats - Dimensions: 14 × 10.6 × 7.6 mm - Morphology: Natural biterminated crystal - Color: Colorless / crystal clear - Transparency: High, with numerous crystal windows - Luster: Vitreous, exceptionally intense - Terminations: Natural - Internal architecture: Very complex, highly visible under magnification - Special features: Reflective planes, veils, fractures and natural inclusions - Condition: Natural collection specimen - Collection type: Fine mineralogy, crystallography, biterminated crystals, natural inclusions An internal architecture of remarkable complexity The true uniqueness of this piece reveals itself when looking through the crystal. Its transparent envelope acts like a window into an internal architecture astonishingly dense. Dozens of structures seem to cross, superimpose, and reflect one another. At the center, the material presents a spectacular succession of planes, veils, and growth structures, almost creating the impression of a crystal within a crystal. Some zones evoke thin stacked strata. Others resemble tiny broken mirrors that harshly catch the light before disappearing as the viewing angle changes. This three-dimensional depth is one of the most fascinating elements of the specimen. A naturally biterminated crystal The double termination is one of the most sought-after features of this family of crystals. For a crystal to develop terminations at both ends naturally, its growth must proceed with enough freedom, without one end being entirely constrained by a matrix. This particular growth explains the specimen’s spectacular silhouette. Here, the various natural faces converge toward the ends and give the stone an astonishingly precise geometry. From certain angles, its appearance could almost evoke a deliberately cut gem. Yet the form is natural. It is precisely this contrast between apparent geometric perfection and completely natural origin that fuels the fascination exerted by the finest biterminated crystals. Extremely luminous crystal faces Macro photography particularly highlights the optical quality of certain faces. The edges catch the light with great intensity while several surfaces remain transparent enough to observe deep into the interior of the crystal. This alternation produces spectacular contrasts: brilliant white, almost total transparency, silvery zones, and small dark structures meeting within the same piece. On a black background, the effect becomes particularly striking. The crystal seems to generate its own light as its edges and reflective surfaces stand out from the darkness. 6.20 carats packed with detail At 6.20 carats and 14 mm in length, the specimen has ideal proportions for close observation. To the naked eye, its crystalline silhouette and brilliance are immediately perceptible. But it is under magnification, a jeweler’s loupe, microscope, or macro objective that the piece truly reveals its potential. The amount of detail contained in such a small volume is remarkable: every millimeter unveils a new structure, a change in transparency, or a new reflective plane. It is truly a mineral microcosm. Inclusions as the crystal’s memory In a gem intended solely for jewelry, inclusions are often evaluated from the purity perspective. In a mineralogical specimen like this, their interest is quite different. They constitute an essential part of the crystal’s identity. Veils, healed or open fractures, tiny mineral inclusions, and internal variations can attest to the various stages the crystal went through during its formation. They also create a unique signature: two crystals may share similar dimensions and morphology, but their internal architecture will never be perfectly identical. The specimen thus becomes an individual piece impossible to reproduce artificially. A geological story written in a few millimeters The formation of a natural crystal results from a succession of physico-chemical phenomena in its geological environment. Temperature and pressure changes, fluid composition, and available space can progressively influence growth. When growth is interrupted and then resumed, or when the environment evolves, the crystal can retain traces of these events. On this piece, that history seems almost directly accessible thanks to its transparency. The many structures visible inside give the impression of watching different construction stages frozen in time. This dimension transforms a beautiful crystal into a true object of study and contemplation. The fascinating story of the name “Herkimer Diamond” The designation “Herkimer Diamond” holds a special place in the history of collectible mineralogy. It is historically associated with the famous crystals that are extremely clear and naturally biterminated, discovered in the Herkimer region of New York State. Their transparency, brilliance, and natural geometry were so impressive that they were visually compared to diamonds, giving rise to a name that became globally known among collectors. Today, biterminated crystals with a comparable aesthetic are also found in other parts of the world. Their exact provenance remains essential information and is clearly specified in the specimen’s characteristics. A piece whose orientation offers a new reading each time One of the main interests of this crystal is that there is practically no single “face” from which everything can be observed. One orientation will highlight transparency. A second will reveal the terminations. A third will expose the internal structures. A fourth will trigger powerful silvery flashes inside the crystal. This constant transformation gives the specimen considerable visual depth and naturally encourages viewing under different lighting. With directional light, some planes become almost metallic. With softer, more diffuse light, it is the general transparency and the outer geometry that dominate. A piece for a discerning collection This specimen offers a particularly sought-after combination of features: natural double termination, beautiful transparency, brilliant crystal faces, extremely developed internal architecture, and dimensions suitable for detailed observation. It is thus an ideal piece for a collection dedicated to biterminated crystals, natural inclusions, crystallography curiosities, or more broadly minerals with remarkable aesthetics. Its beauty does not lie in uniform perfection. It lies precisely in the meeting of a geometrically crystalline envelope and an incredibly complex core, as if an entire geological story had been sealed in a few millimeters of transparent matter. An exceptional 6.20-carat Herkimer Diamond, remarkable for its double termination, its luminosity, and above all for the extraordinary richness of its internal architecture: a true piece of mineralogical contemplation. General Conditions of Sale – MineralsOpals: At MineralsOpals, your satisfaction is our top priority. All orders are processed with the utmost care, from stone selection to final shipping. - Shipping & timelines: Shipments within 1 to 3 business days at most, generally the day after the order. Shipped Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and holidays). Each package is sent via La Poste with a tracking number provided. Carefully packed: every stone is protected individually, then placed in a secure rigid carton. - Warranty & customer service: 100% of shipments are guaranteed: in case of any issue, we always find a solution. You shop with complete confidence: full refund, replacement, or a goodwill gesture in case of loss or proven problem. If you have any questions, doubts, or a specific request, you can contact me at any time, and I will gladly respond as quickly as possible. Trust & commitment Each stone is photographed carefully to reflect its natural beauty. You benefit from personalized tracking. My goal: to offer you a reliable, human, and transparent shopping experience. Thank you for your support. Feel free to browse our no-reserve auctions to discover other exceptional products and follow us to stay informed about our new offerings.
Estimate:$5.6
Sold for:-
View all items fromCatawikiorEthnographic
Hammer price:
-
Estimate:
$5.6
Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed now
Crow Fully Beaded Hide Mirror Flat Bag 20th C.
05/21/2022
$125
Est: $450
$1.12
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
