Sphalerite (large unique stone) (cut by Brett Kosnar)

Item Description

Sphalerite is really considered a collector's gem, as it's fairly soft and brittle, and terribly well-suited for jewelry. This well-known sulfide is probably more commonly seen in the mineral world, as it's found in thousands of mines typically in opaque examples, but gem material does exist from certain places. A case can be made that the finest and most famous GEM Sphalerites are those from what used to be called "Picos de Europa" / "Santander", but it now more accurately labeled as the Aliva Mine (Las Manforas Mine), Camaleño, Cantabria, Spain. This is a LARGE, impressive, richly colored Sphlaerite with fiery orange and red hues inside. The high refractive index of the material bounces the light around the gem. Now this isn't a traditional stone, but rather a polished crystal with a unique form. It's a unique collector's piece, and certainly stands out as a special example of this classic material. Yes, there are some eye visible inclusions, but it's almost impossible to find a completely CLEAN stone, especially in THIS size from this locality. The stone truly looks better in person than the photos / video might indicate. It's actually best viewed in sunlight or with backlighting. From what I have been told, there is very little of this material out on the market these days, and good gems are hard to find. If you collect rare gems or large stones, do not miss out on this beautiful, colorful gem as they are rarely seen in this size and quality on the market today.
Valued $4,497.50 retail ($35/carat)
The stone was cut by Brett Kosnar, who is a 4-time AGTA Spectrum Award winning gem cutter.