Smoky Quartz (6-ray star) Back to GEMSTONE CONSIGNMENT & $100 RESERVE PREMIUM GEM AUCTION - Ends July 29th

• Starting Time:7/22/2010 07:00:00 PM(CDT)
• Ending Time:7/29/2010 07:00:00 PM(CDT)

• Time Left:Auction Is Closed

• Size:15.81 ct
• Size Description:13.85 mm

Description:Star gems are not terribly common, especially in Quartz, and even though I have seen cat's eye Quartz gems, they usually are included with another mineral to create the actual "eye". These stones are cut when thin, fibrous inclusions are are oriented inside of the Quartz crystal at the correct angle to properly show off the "legs" of the star. When these inclusions are numerous enough to make the stone translucent or opaque, they allow light to be reflected in such a way that a star floats across the top of the stone with movement. It is an amazing phenomenon that is only seen in a few gems around the world. The actual "legs" of the star in this stone are somewhat faint, but will show up under strong light. This gem has a smoky color, and is very gemmy internally, and is certainly one of the few that I have encountered. The stone has a "Round Cabochon" cut.