Scapolite (strong color)

Item Description

When it comes to colors in the mineral world, one of the least represented hues is purple. If you eliminate Amethyst and Fluorite, there are very few consistently purple minerals out there. Scapolite is often found in either colorless, yellow or rarely purple crystals, and the specimens that came out of Dara-e-Pech around 2010 are some of the most intensely purple examples you'll see. Now it should be noted that Scapolite is not an actual name of a species, it's a group name for Marialite and Meionite, but it's nearly impossible to discern the species visually, so you'll see them labeled as Scapolite nearly all the time. This large thumbnail sized piece is a really stunning, steeply terminated crystal that has about the most intense color you'll see in a Scapolite, and also good gemminess to it in person. Well-formed faces, good luster and the sheer thickness make it an exemplary representation of purple Scapolite. It is complete-all-around except for a slight imperfection on the back edge, and obviously it's contacted on the base where it detached from the pocket wall. The combination of the steep pyramidal cap, the intensity of the color, and the fact that it's a complete euhedral crystal is RARE in the mineral world. The color is a strong "Siberian" Amethyst hue or rich grape jelly. Specimen weight is 27.62 grams (138.10 carats)