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Lot 8517

Rare Gem Triplite

3 December 2006, 11:00 PST
Los Angeles

US$4,000 - US$6,000

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Rare Gem Triplite

Alchuri Village, Shigar Valley, Skardu Road, Haramosh Mountains, Northern Areas, Gilgit, Pakistan
One of the "holy grails" of rare Pakistani gems is this extremely rare manganese/iron phosphate known as triplite. A mineral which has not been previously reported from Pakistan, it is the result of a very small and isolated find from approximately two years ago. Its type locality (the place it was originally found) is in Chanteloube, Haute-Vienne, France. The name triplite is derived from the Greek, triplos, meaning “triple”, referring to its three prominent cleavages. As beautiful as it is rare, this oval faceted stone of brilliant orange color displays superb clarity and luster. Normally found in dark brown with sub-translucent or opaque transparency, this stone is exceptional on many counts and would make an excellent choice for the rare gem collector. Weighing 2.63 carats and measuring 8.5 x 7.0 x 5.1mm

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