3.13 ct. Witherite

An extremely uncommon U.S. gem material and one that we have only been able to offer once or twice.  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.  This fine example, a very good sized gem, is extremely well cut and returns a very respectable amount of light.  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 phosphoresce for a few seconds after exposure to shortwave UV light.  Quite uncommon, even within 'rare stone' circles.

$75 / carat - $234 total