Scapolite (purple gem crystal) v. Marialite
stock #7.AE-474
Deposit 1677, Subashi, Aketao Co., Kizilsu Pref.
Xinjiang Autonomous Region,
China
1.7 x 1 x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $240
Post Tucson 2015
A rare Chinese gem Scapolite with very intense purple color, much of which is clear enough to facet. We see very few specimens of any sort from Xinjiang, this Scapolite was from a small one time find over ten years ago when the deposit was listed as "Daftar". Analysis shows that these are a Marialite variety with some chrome adding the color. This is much deeper hue than most. Some chipping is noted with 10x magnification so this is not for perfectionists but it is still a very good, richly colored crystal that shows some clear dichroism.
