18.59 ct. Austrian Adularia Moonstone
Color: Colorless
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Ziller Valley, North Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
Cut: Oval - Checkerboard Top
Treatments: None
Measurements: 19 x 14 mm
A simply gorgeous gem example from one of the classic locales for this variety of Orthoclase. The term itself describes the crystal shape of this variety that is found in Alpine clefts, particularly in this area of Austria. Though specimens have been collected for centuries, faceted stones are actually very scarce, being almost unheard of in this size and quality. We recently looked over a small parcel of gems cut from rough collected in the 1970's and selected this monumental, entirely museum grade gem. Absolutely clean and very bright, the classic silver adularescense floats across the surface just as you would hope. The orientation is perfect and the use of the checkerboard top is genius here - it maximizes both the brilliance of this uncommonly transparent material and the superb flash of the Moonstone. Excellent, fresh cutting and a great polish help this gem tick all the boxes. These are rare locale pieces and this one is simply fantastic.