2.17 ct. Iranian Anhydrite
Color: Colorless
Clarity: Moderately Included
Origin: Hormoz and Qeshum Islands, Persian Gulf, Iran
Cut: Rectangular Step
Treatments: None
Measurements: 11 x 5.4 mm
From a find several decades old (see the profile in Gems & Gemology, Fall 2000) comes this very unusual and special example of faceted Anhydrite. This species is occasionally seen as light pink stones from Switzerland or Canada, but some old exploration on islands in the Persian Gulf revealed a few examples of unusually nice colorless gem rough. Interestingly, these often have included crystal inclusions - as is the case here where tiny, well formed crystals are scattered throughout the stone. They are low relief so the brilliance is maintained, but are endlessly interesting. The old GIA article suggests these are Quartz crystals. Massive stone for the species and well cut. What a rarity!