19.72 ct. 'Pink Fire' Quartz with Covellite
Color: Faint Brown
Clarity: Moderately Included
Origin: Brazil
Cut: Oval - Modified Portrait
Treatments: None
Measurements: 24.2 x 16.6 mm
A very fine example of one of the most interesting Quartz inclusion gems found in the last several years. From a very limited find in Brazil comes this Quartz with platelet-type inclusions of the mineral Covellite. What is truly phenomenal about this particular combination is that while Covellite is metallic in transmitted light, it has a bright pink flash in reflected light - so, as you move the gem a strong pink flash moves across the surface. A very unusual and attractive natural effect. Not surprisingly, gems from this locality have been given the name of 'Pink Fire' Quartz - an apt trade name. This gem is quite well done and shows the effect extremely well - as nice as we have ever seen in fact; much of the find was nowhere near as nice as this example and even that has now essentially evaporated from the market.
This one is something of a fancy cut - it has a wide tablet as well as an equally wide and open culet. The impression is that of an antique portrait cut, but with some added brilliance from the faceted edges. Really a nice look and one that features the pink flash quite well. Absolute top quality material without any veils or other inclusions - rare as such.