• Color: White

• Clarity: Translucent

• Origin: Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois

• Cut: Custom Cushion

• Treatments: None

• Measurements: 15.5 x 13.8 mm

The largest example of this extremely uncommon U.S. gem material and one that we have only been able to offer a few times previously.  Witherite is a barium mineral that doesn't often form with sufficient clarity to facet.  One locale that does produce gem rough are the well known mineral deposits around Cave-In-Rock, Illinois.  Typically we see gems in the 1-4 carat range, so this one is certainly significant for its size. Moreover, the stone is extremely well cut and is of a fine level of transparency for the material. An experienced hand has given it a very fine polish for a mineral with a hardness of 3 on the Moh's scale.  As is expected with this material, it has a bluish-white fluorescence under UV light and will even phosphoress for a few seconds after exposure to shortwave UV light.  Quite uncommon, even within 'rare stone' circles.

$25 / carat - $639 total