-40%
Sugilite 40% translucent Untreated Natural Cabochon South Africa 9 x 3.8mm 2.65c
$ 9.5
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Untreated Natural Quality Cabochon - Sugilite GemstoneStones cut from rough purchased in the late 90's - Kalahari Manganese Mines - South Africa
Pictures are enlarged and colors can vary slightly from original due to daylight lamps
Size : 9 x 3.8 mm Weight : 2.65 carat
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Examination of jewelry-quality sugilite shows that it consists of manganese-bearing sugilite and other minerals in a polycrystalline aggregate. The material occurs in a large stratiform manganese ore body at the Wessels mine near Kuruman, South Africa. Some 12 to 15 tons of sugilite of varying quality are estimated to occur at the mine. The attractive purple color is due to the presence of about 1-3 wt. % manganese oxide. The research reported here revealed that there are actually two types of gem materials that have heretofore been called sugilite: one that is predominantly manganoan sugilite with minor impurity minerals, and the other that is chalcedony mixed with (and colored by) sugilite.
This particular color of sugilite,
which originates from the Kalahari Manganese Mines
area of South Africa, is relatively
new to the gem market. It is also being
marketed under the trade names
Royal Azel and Royal Lavulite.
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