0.56 ct. Benitoite
Color: Colorless / Medium Violetish-Blue
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: San Benito Co., California
Cut: Triangular Step
Treatments: None
Measurements: 6.7 x 4.8 mm
A fascinating example of this ever-popular US gem rarity. Firstly, the cutting is excellent - an absolute precision job in a shape that we favor. What is truly unique here is that the stone is essentially a bi-color; the cut has capitalized on a bit of color zoning to give a gem where the lower 60% has the classic color for the species, the upper 40% is entirely colorless. When turned upside down, you can see this was accomplished by using just a small blue-violet zone; indeed the stone looks largely colorless as this angle. Really intriguing stone and completely loupe clean as well.