Gem: Gahnite Spinel
Weight: 0.59 ct.
Dimensions:4.6 mm round
Clarity: SI / VS area - VERY clean for the species
Origin: Kaduna State, Nigeria
Treatments: None - Natural gem
Comments:
Gahnite Spinel is a super-rare variety of a sub-spinel group called gahno-spinel; It has zinc as a primary placeholder in the crystal structure as opposed to the standard variety of gem spinel we are used wo, whose primary element is manganese.
This seemingly small change has a big impact: Forthe most part, gahnite is a black to brown mineral, where it is found sparingly around the globe. But through a miracle of nature, in the Kaduna state of Nigeria, a small deposit was discovered that had a small percentage of gem material. Examples over one carat are considered extremely rare. Even most of the material from this new deposit, though blue, was opaque to translucent. Only the absolute most rare section of material qualifies as facet rough.
This piece is small, but exceptionally clean, and of a nice, bright, open color. Lots of this material is too dark to enjoy, but this mighty cabochon puts in a lot of work.
It is the most delicious blue-raspberry color.
There is a very slight indented area underneath the cab on one side, but it shows well, and hides almost completely. It will not show at all in a set piece of jewelry. Priced accordingly