Wonderstone (Rhyolite) (ex Jim Houran Collection)

Item Description

Wonderstone is the trade name given to a multicolored, banded Rhyolite tuff that is cut and polished to better show off its beautiful patterns. This material is mined in both Utah and Nevada, but people tend to like the Nevada material better as it has better consistency and polishes more easily. The colors in the rock are said to have come from altered iron oxide (most likely from decomposed Pyrite) which gives the material its warm red, orange, golden, brown and oddly lavender hues. It's certainly unique in the gem / lapidary world, and no two stones are ever alike. This beautiful "Freeform" cabochon cut stone features banded layers with colors ranging from a purple hue to golden / orange, dark red, and a light cream color. Very attractive from either side. Gorgeous material, and highly colorful, which is rarely the case when it comes to Rhyolite. From the collection of Dr. James "Jim" Houran, noted thumbnail mineral collector, gemstone collector and a speaker at our annual Dallas Mineral Symposium. Jim is the Managing Director of AETHOS Consulting Group. He's a 25-year veteran in applied psychological research and a published expert on peak performance, online testing and interpersonal and organizational compatibility. He has authored over 150 articles, and his award-winning work has been profiled by a myriad of media outlets and programs including the Discovery Channel, A&E, BBC, National Geographic, NBC’s Today Show, USA Today, New Scientist, Psychology Today and Forbes.com.