Ricolite (Serpentine)

Item Description

Ricolite is a variety of a Serpentine species interbanded with Talc. The material to the best of my knowledge only comes from the Ash Creek tributary of the Gila River in Grant County, New Mexico. The name "Ricolite" is from the Spanish "rico" for rich, i.e., "rich stone". The material can have an undesirable dark spinach green or an ugly brownish green, but this stone is a SUPERB example of Ricolite showing a splendid mix of beautiful green bands which are intermixed with cream colored Talc throughout. For the size, the consistency, and rarely seen stark lines between the bands, this stone is one of the finest Ricolites that we've ever offered. Often, the banding in Ricolite can be muddled or ambiguous, but this stone shows excellent forms, with clear mark where one area stops and another begins. The gem has a "Freeform Cabochon" cut, and is slightly translucent when backlit. Valued at $244.00 high retail.