Preobrazhenskite (ridiculously rare) (rough and cut set)

Inder, Atyrau Province, Kazakhstan (Type Locality)
Gems; Thumbnail, 2.6 x 2.5 x 2.1 cm (specimen), 9.55 carats; 14.23 mm x 12.30 mm (stone)
Start Time: 07/03/2018 7:15:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 07/17/2018 7:15:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

This incredibly rare anhydrite magnesium borate species in only found in two places in Kazakhstan, and nowhere else in the world. The type locality is Inder, and that's where these two rough and cut items are from. The lemon yellow material is the most desirable hue for the species, as most of the Preobrazhenskite I've seen is often white or off-white or even gray. The gem in this set is the LARGEST I've seen for the species, though I have to believe there might be larger ones out there. The fact that it's nearly 10 carats, and has such great consistency of color is amazing to me. I have to think at how big the piece of rough must have been to yield a stone like this. The accompanying crystallized coutnerpart is a very good example of Preobrazhenskite with sharp, lustrous crystals that have excellent color and gemminess. It doesn't get much rarer than this, and considering that this material was first discovered in the 1950s, and has never been found in another place in the world, it's a must have for any rare stone or rough and cut collector. Valued at $2,000 in the inventory.

Did You Know We Offer Custom Bases?

Learn More