Labradorite var. Sunstone, Ex. Jim Houran

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2020 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 24, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

This is a fine collector stone with 2 generations of art cuts, and a special color that gives it a uniquely even, smooth copper color and a schiller effect. Per Wiki, adularescence, also commonly referred to as schiller or shiller, is best described as a milky, bluish luster or glow originating from below the surface of the gem. It was faceted by Robert Coggins, a known specialist in sunstones, and then modified with concave elements by Nolan Spencer. Those elements, gently cut into the back, make it look like there are waves of water inside, when angled in the light. It is a large, clean, wearable stone. From the collection of USA Crystals & Gems, assembled by Jim Houran. Jim is a lifelong collector of gems, who discovered minerals after gemstones and has become a major thumbnail collector in his own right. He built a collection of matching gems with rough crystals, of which this was part. See his short talk on collector psychology, presented this weekend in the Symposium! Suggested value is $750-1250.  11.42 carats

Donated by Jim Houran.