Afghanistan Minerals
The minerals of Afghanistan are nothing short of impressive! Some of the most important kunzite, spodumene and multi-colored tourmalines specimens come from Afghanistan. While much of this material goes to the gem cutters, thankfully some of these fine crystals are saved and can be found in some of the top collections and museums of the world.
This country has really put itself on the mineral collector’s radar with the fine mineral specimens that it has produced over the years. I have grown to appreciate the quality of the fine, often gem, minerals. As a result I have begun to sink some serious money into buying specimens from Afghanistan. Found in this gallery are some wonderful examples of mineral from Afghanistan for all levels of collectors.
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OKF-342 Richterite Kiran Kokcha Valley Budakhshan, Afghanistan. Ex Dr. Steve Chamberlain collection. Five years ago these gem richterite crystals made a big splash on the mineral market. Exceptionally fine crystals like this one were selling for more than $1000. Thankfully I can do a good deal better on the price even though this is still a top quality specimen deserving of a large sticker. This fine thumbnail specimen measures 2.2 cm long and is 1.1 cm wide. It is beautifully terminated on one end and regrown on the other. The crystal is light yellow in color and completely gem. There are a few small internal veils. An exceptional example of this species which is not known for forming crystal of this quality. $400
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OKF-223 Kunzite Mawi, Laghman Province, Afghanistan. Here is a beautifully formed etched kunzite a significant size it measures 14.5 cm in length is 4.7 cm wide and 3 cm in thickness. There is an enormous amount of gem rough contained within this piece. Don't get me wrong, I do not suggest it should be converted into gemstones, but its value has to be a least equal to what would be produced if it was. I am price that way below that. The color is very deep and view down the c axis of the crystal and does not look washed out like many kunzites do. It is damage free and extremely displayable. The photographs of this specimen are much lighter that the specimen actually is. Priced way below the standard market value at $680.
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OKF-224 Kunzite Kala, Darrah Province, Afghanistan. Here is a beautifully formed tabular 14.7 cm high 4.2 cm wide and .7 cm thick. The color is very deep and view down the c axis of the crystal and a purist slightly light in color due to its being only .7 cm thick. In reality this specimen is of excellent color, displays a wonderful primary termination and is totally re-crystallize where there was once a basal contact. It is damage free and extremely displayable. The piece is deeply striated and a pleasure to handle and inspect. The photographs of this specimen are much lighter that the specimen actually is A fabulous display specimen. $860.
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OKE-418 Beryllonite Paprook, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Translucent white, double terminated crystal measuring 2.2 cm long. Deeply striated crystal of good form with no damage. 55$
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OKE-361 Tourmaline Paprok, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Three beautiful green crystals in tight parallel growth reaching 6.2 cm and .7 cm thick. Gem crystals of predominantly green color which transition to pink at the terminations. The terminations are complex, the luster exceptionally high and the piece is damage free. Albite coats part of one side and base. Exceptionally clean tourmaline specimen. Greens are slightly lighter than the image indicates. 425$
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OKE-362 Tourmaline RESERVED Paprok, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Double terminated crystal with a slightly divergent form and one thin double terminated rider in parallel growth. Very minor albite on base and one side. Damage free and highly aesthetic. 7 cm long and 2.1 cm wide at maximum. Mostly light pink in color with some light blue closer to termination. Excellent luster and deeply striated. 575$
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OKE-027 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 4 cm and is composed of several parallel growth crystals. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. It is an excellent damage free piece with plenty of tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base. Displays upright on its own. 225$
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OKE-028 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 5.1 cm and is composed of several parallel growth crystals with one being much thicker and dominant. One of the thinner crystals has a broken off termination but it is on the backside and not readily noticeable. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. It is an excellent damage piece with a couple tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. Displays upright on an acrylic base. 350$
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OKE-029 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 6 cm and is composed of several parallel growth crystals with one being much thicker and dominant. One of the crystals has a chip off the backside of its termination which is small and not in anyway distracting. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. It is an excellent piece with a numerous tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. An excellent, aesthetic display specimen. Displays with no support required. 500$
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OKE-030 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 7.8 cm and is composed of a single 1.3 cm thick crystal. It is an excellent damage free primary crystal with a numerous tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. One crystal in the base is chipped off. Small contact on backside. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. Displays upright without assistance. Very displayable and fine. 550$
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OKE-031 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 4.5 cm and is composed of several parallel growth crystals with one being much thicker and dominant. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. This is a great damage free specimen. It has numerous tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. Displays upright without need of aid. 380$
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OKE-032 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 4 cm and is composed of a single well formed crystal. There is very minor crazing on an edge of the termination. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. It is an excellent piece with a couple tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the minor lepidolite at the base of the specimen. Displays upright on its own. 175$
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OKE-034 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. This outstanding fan shaped crystal measures just shy of 10 cm long and is 5.5 cm wide at its termination and is 2.3 cm thick. There is contact on the backside of the crystal which is minimal. The display faces are very nice, damage free as is the termination. As with all the other tourmalines described her the lepidolites are well formed and translucent. Lots of tiny rider tourmalines in base and sides of main crystal. Displays upright on an acrylic base. A relatively serious tourmaline for the discriminating collector. 1,250$
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OKE-035 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 5.2 cm and is composed of a single 1.3 cm thick crystal. There is a chip on the backside of the main crystal which is noticeable from the back only. Numerous tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. Displays upright without assistance. Attractive specimen. 180$
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OKE-036 Tourmaline with Lepidolite Paproc, Kunar (Nuristan) Prov., Afghanistan. This fine, pink, striated tourmaline crystal is translucent/ transparent and has a thin blue green termination layer. It measure 3.7 cm and is composed of a single 1.7 cm thick crystal. It is an excellent damage free primary crystal with a numerous tiny tourmalines shooting throughout the lepidolite base and main crystal base. One crystal in the base is chipped off. The lepidolite books are well formed, damage free and translucent. Displays upright without assistance. Nice and a great price…. 175$
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OKD-773 Lazurite Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Ex. Jim Turek Collection. Two nicely formed, deep blue crystals stand out in relief off the white matrix. The biggest crystal measures 1.8 cm while the second measures .8 cm. Both are damage free. The entire specimen measures 4.5 x 4 x 3.2 cm. A good example which displays nicely. 175$
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OKD-531 Spodumine Mt. Kheritha, Kala Dharipeche, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Rich yellow spodumene with extensive etching. Good crystal form to prism and single termination while the second termination is totally etched away. Attractive 141.5 gram specimen. Gemmy with only minor inclusions. 9.2 x 4.8 x 3 cm. 225$
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OKD-532 Spodumine Darrah Pech, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Rich yellow spodumene with extensive etching. Totally gemmy specimen with interesting form. 78.1 grams. As cutting rough it would be selling for less than 20 cents per carat! 6.7 x 4.7 x 2.8 cm. This one won’t be available for long. 75$
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OKD-356 Spodumene Mawi, Laghman, Afghanistan. This medium yellow, highly etched crystal is fully terminated with no damage and a pleasing form. The interior is approx. ½ gem and ½ included. It weighs in at 167 grams and measures 1.5 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm. Ever as gem rough this should go for at least 10$ per gram (1,670$). What a steal at 180$
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OKD-354 Lazurite Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. I’ve never cared for the look of these specimens because it is so tough to find a nice displayable one without considerable damage. Here is a great one well placed on marble white matrix. The deep blue, opaque crystal measures over 3 cm and the entire piece 7 x 5 x 5 cm. Great faces with only a single spot on the top/ back which is irregular (regrown). The crystal stands approx. 3/4ers exposed on the top of the matrix. A fine value at 550$
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OKD-283 Spodumene Kala, Darrah Pech, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Nice, large, sharply formed spodumene of a clear to very light green color. It is double terminated and totally damage free. Deeply striated with lots of gemmy regions. Overall dimensions are 16 cm for its length, 5.2 cm for width and 2 cm in thickness with a mass of 339 grams. Quality example. 365$
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OKD-284 Tourmaline Rhodisht, Darrah, Pech, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. This fine double terminated crystal is a nice translucent green color with well developed striations on all prism faces. The cap deep opaque blue and hopper like features. It is 48 grams in mass and measures 3.4 cm long and 3 cm wide at its maximum. Minor contact with what appears to have been a quartz crystal on its bottom backside (otherwise a floater crystal). Attractive and well priced for this material. 330$
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OKD-286 Spodumene Kala, Darrah Pech, Kunar Prov., Afghanistan. Very attractive crystal which exhibits minor etching on its terminations and well formed, lightly striated on opposing faces. Nice light pink color. One termination is chisel shaped while the second is flatter with a regrown, multi-pointed surface. 7.2 cm long, 2.2 cm wide and 1.7 cm thick. Very attractive, damage free and interesting piece. 200$
