Spectacular Gem Crystals: Pegmatite Pocket Formation and Survival

October 1^st (Tuesday), 6 p.m., Teton Co. Library Auditorium – Open to Public. Presentation: “Spectacular Gem Crystals:  Pegmatite Pocket Formation and Survival”, Presented by Tom Campbell, Staff Mineralogist, The Arkenstone.

Mineral specimens from gem-bearing pegmatites represent some of the most profound display pieces in both private and public collections with the finest pieces constituting natural art and investments. What some collectors and the general public may not appreciate is how uncommon single gem crystals and combination specimens containing tourmaline, aquamarine, morganite, topaz and yes, rare species such as amblygonite, herderite, beryllonite, petalite and others actually are! When we see them on display we tend to take their beauty for granted and sometimes forget about the complex journey they have made to make it to their final destination. This journey includes the complexity of their evolution from granite melts, miarolitic cavity (pocket) formation, the process of gem crystal growth, not to mention their survival in the Earth’s crust for many millions to sometimes over a billion years! And then there is the excitement of discovery and the fastidious extraction process which makes us appreciate how wondrous these gem crystals truly are!  Video