Detailed information
Species
Topaz
Dimensions
28 x 35 x 23
mm
Weight
31 g
Locality
Ratin Gabbas Plateau Nigeria
Condition
No recorded repairs
This is a classic colourless, gem crystal of Topaz from the famous detrital deposits in the Ratin Gabbas area, in Plateau state, Nigeria. There, gem crystals are typically extracted from rivers and loose placer deposits and some crystals can attain considerable size. This modest, miniature-sized individual, off-matrix crystal is crystal clear and displays a much more complex series of crystal faces than usually seen from there. The faces include the full upper termination, front, and about half of the rear with its lowermost section missing. Its crystal edges are very slightly worn, as is typical of this style of detrital deposit. Ex David Hardman Collection, this crystal was probably originally found during the 1970s or 1980s.