0.66 ct. Italian Leucite
Color: Colorless
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Italy
Cut: Round
Treatments: None
Measurements: 6 mm
Leucite is a silicate mineral that has long been difficult to source in facet grade rough. What makes Leucite a particularly interesting gem material is its unusual growth habit which causes resulting gems, while completely transparent, to show a play-of-color effect that is really only similar to what one would see in gem opal. You can see this lovely display in the photo, just rotate the stone and a virtual rainbow becomes visible. Some stones show this effect better than others and this one is exceptional, easily the finest and most intense color we have seen a Leucite, a truly special one-off. There is really nothing else to compare with this in any other gem material. Facet grade Leucite is rare and generally only comes from the area around Ostia, Italy - the ancient port for the city of Rome.