Description
Sapat Gali Naran, Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North-West Frontier Province), Pakistan
From the famous Sapat Gali area of Pakistan where most of the current supply of gem peridot is found. This is a great matrix specimen of gemmy forsterite- otherwise referred to as peridot. Olivine typically is iron bearing and very dark colored as is known as fayalite. The calcium bearing olivine is much less common as is the bright happy green color known worldwide as peridot (and forsterite to mineral experts). These crystals are each over 2 cm and quite blocky. They are mostly transparent with rounded and pitted surfaces. They have formed in a very tenacious talc- like matrix and inhabit even the tiny pits on the crystal surfaces. Much of this material is faceted and specimens are uncommon especially with matrix. There is edgewear to many of the edges or natural pitting – it is difficult to tell especially in the areas of matrix adherence.
6.70 x 4.50 x 4.00 cm