Sodalite var: Hackmanite (rough and cut set) (fluorescent and tenebrescent)

Item Description

Here we have a wonderful rough and cut set of Hackmanite from what is the premier area in the world for the material. For reference, Hackmanite is the tenebrescent variety of Sodalite and is very rare worldwide, especially in facet-grade material. This excellent set features a miniature specimen hosting a few glassy, translucent, pale blue-lavender Hackmanite crystals measuring up to 1.8 cm set marble matrix. The "Oval Brilliant" cut stone weighs 1.58 carats, and has a VERY faint blue-lavender color in indoor lighting, but when both the gem and the specimen are exposed to XXXXXXXX UV light, the stone fluoresces a XXXXXXXXX hue, and the crystals on the specimens fluoresce a XXXXXXXXXXX hue. You will note that the crystals actually DARKEN upon exposure to UV light, a phenomenon known as tenebrescence (also called reversible photochromism), but they will return to their original hue after being left out of UV light (or sunlight). This process is completely safe and repeatable, but the entry on mindat.org notes that the effect will no longer take place if the crystal/gem are heated. Outstanding and rare combination material from this ancient mining area in Afghanistan. Valued $1,750 as a set.