Sodalite (Hackmanite) (fluorescent/tenebrescent)

Item Description

Here we have a rare Hackmanite gem from Afghanistan, one of only a handful that we've had to offer recently. Good gem Hackmanites are amazingly difficult to find from anywhere, and the Afghani material has been drying up recently. Sodalite is a very durable stone and that's why it is so popular among dealers and collectors alike. The gem variety of Sodalite is Hackmanite and the material is tenebrescent which is the process by which a mineral changes (or intensifies) in color after being exposed to ultra-violet light. This particular stone shows a orange fluorescence under UV light, which is what causes the tenebresence. The stone fluoresces a strong peach-orange hue under LW light, and then will actually turn a darker purple color after being exposed to prolonged UV light and then will return to its original lighter purple color after being exposed to prolonged daylight (tenebresence). This process is 100% repeatable and in no way hurts the stone. This gem has a "Oval" cut and has moderate inclusions. It's nearly impossible to find completely clean stones unless they are exceptionally small. This material is retailing for HIGH numbers now across the board, and you simply can't get your hands on gems with this kind of clarity. I saw one of these stones offered at the Tucson Show this year for $1,000 per carat for reference.