Spodumene ("floater" GEM twin) (58.38 grams) (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

This is a wonderful classic Brazilian spodumene specimen showing delightful hydrothermal etching on all sides. The piece is a complete "floater", as it is doubly-terminated and crystallized all the way around. To top it off, the piece is nearly 100% GEM quality (only minor inclusions), but arguably the most interesting aspect is that it's twinned! You can see a distinct twin line along the {100} face, but it's difficult to illustrate in the photos. The crystal is nearly colorless, but in certain lighting it shows a pale yellow-green "triphane" hue. Specimen weight is 58.38 grams. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil"). Valued at $950.