Scapolite - purple gem crystal
stock #15.1-1062-(SM2801)
Kukurt, Pamir Mts
Viloyati Mukhtori Gorno-Badakhsha,
Tajikistan
3.2 x 1.6 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $360
Winter 2016-17
A rich deep purple gemmy Scapolite from the finds in the 1990s. The color is a bit hard to capture but in person it has a strong impact for size. One edge has some contacts that are not seen on display, the overall condition is quite fine. These are now quite uncommon in the market, this one has a good gem interior and could facet a sizable stone or two.
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.
purple Scapolite gem crystal
stock # 7.AE-011
Kohistan District
North West Frontier Province,
Pakistan
3.3 X .7 x .6 CM (miniature)
price: $200
A very attractive light lilac/violet gem-crystal of Scapolite from this important locality. This is actually 2 crystals grown together with the terminations staggered and showing great glass-like luster. No damage by naked eye but with 10X magnification there are some very tiny contacts and a very insignificant chip that need to be mentioned. A very nice example of a mineral that is usually quite nondescript!