**Complimentary Specimens** As a gesture of appreciation only, winning lots with a final hammer price above €50 will include one small additional mineral offered entirely free of charge. —————— Description: Sourced from the Mpwapwa District in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania, this exceptional scapolite crystal represents a rare convergence of crystallographic integrity, optical purity and refined natural colour. Fully terminated and remarkably well preserved, the crystal stands as a striking example of scapolite in a form and quality seldom encountered in the collector market. The crystal displays a refined champagne yellow hue, ranging from soft honey tones to pale golden highlights, with a subtle yellow diamond like character when exposed to direct light. Rather than presenting a heavy or saturated colour, the palette remains elegant and restrained, allowing light to move freely through the crystal body. Under illumination, the specimen reveals near gem transparent zones, giving it a luminous clarity that is more commonly associated with faceted gemstones than with natural crystals. Optically, this scapolite shows exceptional internal light transmission. Its high translucency, approaching near transparency, creates depth and brilliance without visual obstruction. Internal features are minimal and naturally aligned with the crystal growth, reinforcing a sense of structural order and geological coherence rather than distraction. Crystallographically, the specimen is particularly distinguished by its well defined prismatic habit and square cross section, indicative of scapolite’s tetragonal system. Each prism face is sharply articulated and displays clear longitudinal growth striations, preserved in crisp detail. These striations interact beautifully with light, producing strong specular reflections across the vitreous surfaces and enhancing the crystal’s architectural presence. The termination is complete, natural and intact, confirming uninterrupted growth and careful preservation. There is no evidence of polishing or artificial modification, allowing the crystal to retain its full geological authenticity. The combination of intact termination, clean geometry and high optical quality places this specimen firmly within collector grade territory. Scapolite from Mpwapwa is internationally recognised for its clarity and crystallinity, yet specimens of this calibre remain scarce. This crystal communicates its value not through size alone, but through balance, precision and optical refinement, making it one of the most compelling scapolite specimens to appear in recent offerings. Specifications: • Weight: 1.50 g • Weight in carats: 7.50 ct • Dimensions: 11 × 8 × 8 mm • Origin: Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania • Mineral species: Scapolite • Crystal system: Tetragonal • Crystal habit: Well formed prismatic crystal with square cross section and complete termination • Colour: Champagne yellow to soft honey yellow with diamond like tonal character • Colour distribution: Even with subtle internal tonal variation • Transparency: Highly translucent to near transparent • Lustre: Vitreous with strong specular reflections • Surface features: Natural longitudinal growth striations • Condition: Natural, unpolished, untreated Notable Points: • Fully terminated and crystallographically complete scapolite crystal • Rare square cross section reflecting tetragonal crystal symmetry • Champagne yellow colour with refined diamond like brilliance • Highly translucent to near transparent with excellent light transmission • Strong vitreous lustre with pronounced specular reflections • Clean prism faces with well preserved longitudinal striations • Minimal internal features aligned with natural growth structure • Exceptional optical clarity for a natural scapolite crystal • Authentic material from the Mpwapwa District in Tanzania • Completely natural specimen with no treatment or polishing • Strong visual presence despite restrained dimensions • High grade collector quality example of Tanzanian scapolite Collector’s Interest: Collector grade scapolite crystals with intact termination, high transparency and well defined tetragonal geometry are increasingly difficult to source, particularly from the Mpwapwa region. This specimen stands out for its balance between optical refinement and crystallographic clarity, offering a piece that appeals equally to mineral purists and collectors drawn to gem like brilliance. Its diamond clear visual character, combined with a refined champagne palette and architectural crystal form, makes it a sophisticated addition to advanced mineral collections. Pieces of this quality are rarely encountered outside private holdings, reinforcing its long term desirability and significance. Lapidary Potential: While the crystal exhibits near gem transparent qualities and a visually compelling colour, its perfectly preserved termination, square geometry and growth features give it far greater value as a natural crystal specimen. Any cutting would compromise the defining attributes that make this piece exceptional. Its highest and most appropriate value lies in preservation as a natural mineral, where its optical purity and crystallographic integrity can be fully appreciated. _____________ Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time with CTT service: between 5 to 7 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photographs are taken under controlled lighting conditions using a macro lens, carefully selected to present each specimen as accurately as possible. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation are applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, replicating neutral daylight to reveal natural tones, surface features, and internal characteristics. Under warmer or weaker indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal. The purpose of this photographic process is documentation and representation, not visual enhancement. Images are intended to reflect the specimen faithfully as it appears under balanced natural light conditions. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are natural and described to the best of our knowledge, based on direct sourcing, professional experience, and information provided by trusted suppliers working at the origin. Every effort is made to ensure transparency and accuracy regarding identification, locality, and general characteristics, avoiding misleading statements about treatment, provenance, or nature. Customs and import taxes: Any customs duties, import fees, or local taxes applied by the destination country are entirely the responsibility of the winning bidder. These charges are not included in the auction price or shipping cost and are determined by the buyer’s local authorities. Guarantee and resolution: Customer satisfaction is important. In the unlikely event of an issue such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us promptly through Catawiki’s messaging system. Each case is handled individually and fairly, with appropriate solutions offered when justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust. Our work focuses on careful selection, accurate representation, and respectful presentation of mineral specimens with character and interest. Each piece is chosen for its individual qualities rather than speculative or financial considerations. We aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and consistent experience for collectors at all levels. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals