5.29 ct. Phosgenite
Color: Colorless
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Touissit, Morocco
Cut: Custom Cushion
Treatments: None
Measurements: 8.4 x 7.3 mm
A rare lead mineral that is exceptionally rare as a gem material - it has a hardness of only 3 on the Moh's scale and is extraordinarily difficult to cut. Interestingly, it is not necessarily that gem rough that is completely unobtainable (there is some older material occasionally in the market), it is finding someone willing to cut it. The stone is nearly impossible to polish and flat out loves to splinter away to nothing. Despite this, the high refractive index and adamantine luster (due in part to the lead) make the prospect of gem Phosgenite somewhat irresistible to collectors. The facetor has done an excellent job here, we have never seen a Phosgenite done with quite this level of individual facets and with such a strong polish. Great symmetry as well - a cutting job that would be excellent in many rare materials, but is downright remarkable in Phosgenite. Furthermore, the bodycolor is perfect for showing the fine flashes of dispersion in this material - it is as close to colorless as we have seen the species. Magnificent stone.