Sugilite

Item Description

In the early 2000s, very rich specimens of lapidary sugilite came out of the famous Wessels mine in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, and some few of them had rich veins of micro-crystals of sugilite. Always a treasure for its lapidary value, these microcrystals were something special, to many collectors. Although found before, and in sizes to a few mm, these remained (and remain today) very rare. Under a scope, they are sharp. To the eye, they look like small purple sparkles in veins, and I think you can clearly see them here. This display-sized specimen is a thick block of sugilite veins with bands of crystals showing in several zones, and is fairly rich for what it is. I am almost embarrassed to admit that my friend paid $3750 for this from a Tucson dealer (label included). It is worth probably more like $1000-2000, to be honest, but there it is. If you want one, and it is not around, a rarity is worth what somebody will pay for it - as at auction.