17.54 ct. New Mexico Piemontite
Color: Dark Purplish-Red
Clarity: Opaque
Origin: Taos Co., New Mexico
Cut: Freeform Cabochon
Treatments: None
Measurements: 30.4 x 14.3 x 3.5 mm
Another very unusual gem material, this time from a limited find at a U.S. locality. The name Piemontite is used to describe a Manganese rich variety of the mineral group Epidote. The material is infrequently encountered and the color is quite striking. A very rich, textured purplish-red. Porphyry, the great imperial marble of ancient Rome, so valued for its color was at least partly colored by Piemontite. If you are familiar with that material, no doubt you can see the resemblance. Outstanding color.