0.53 ct. Afghani Stibiotantalite
Color: Medium Dark Yellow
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Afghanistan
Cut: Cushion Radiant
Treatments: None
Measurements: 5.6 x 2.8 mm
We have only just a few times in the last 15 years come across an example of this intense, dare we say vivid, yellow variety of the rare species Stibiotantalite. This species has one of the highest refractive indexes in the gem world (2.37-2.45) and a very high specific gravity at around 6.7 (vs. 4.6 for Zircon and 3.5 for Diamond). These can be from a number of places worldwide, though other locales tend to produce darker colors. The perfect combination of clarity, intense color and superb cutting (the radiant style facets make this stone pop unlike any we have seen) make this a fantastically rare collection stone. Amazing.