Ruby Spinel (GEM quality) (ex Rich Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

It has been next to impossible to obtain fine quality Spinel specimens from Burma these days it seems. Gem quality crystals are seldom seen, as virtually anything with any clarity is faceted into a gemstone in Asia, long before it has a chance to reach the western market. This piece is a classic Burmese "Ruby Spinel" crystal with very sharp, defined, lustrous, octahedral faces and a GEM/gemy strong red color. The piece is a true "floater" crystal, complete on all sides, and with no point of attachment. Certainly not easily replaced in this market. This piece was mined around 2000, and is one of the better Spinels from the Rich Kosnar collection that we have offered. The best of these specimens are simply the finest in the world for what they are. This is an example of a non-pegmatite gem mineral for which many collectors probably do have a good specimen in their collections.