Gem: Hackmanite
Weight: 7.67 ct.
Dimensions: 15.7 x 12.25 x 6.85
Clarity: N/A - surface-translucent, but ultimately opaque.
Origin: Afghanistan
Treatments: None
Comments:
Hackmanite is one of those gems out there that actually does a real magic trick. It has an exceedingly rare property where the stone will actually absorb energy from sunlight or UV flashlight, and store it in the form of a temporary color change in the gem.
This gem is a light, ashy gray-purple when taken straight out of a drawer it has been in for a while (where there is no sunlight), and when it has been subjected to a few minutes (or moments) of sunlight, it will change before your eyes, to a very dark, rich, royal purple color. It may seem trivial, since it is the same general color, but the difference is not just noticeable, it's stark. And what's more, it happens right in front of you!
This process is reversible, and if stored in a dark place for 12 to 24 hours, you can repeat the color change as many times as you wish to wait for it to revert back. There is no limit. No batteries required!
*note: The images seen here are midway through color change - it gets both lighter when it fades, AND darker when it's fully charged in sunlight. The orange photo is how it appears under a UV / blacklight. (Blacklight flashlight is the absolute fastest way to achieve color change).