Sphalerite

[VapidLapid]

A sphalerite just fell in to my collection. Lovely pure yellow in daylight, with a little green tinge indoors, and super high RI and dispersion, it is like a fine chrysoberyl on mushrooms. Unfortunately it is little harder than a mushroom. So far I have handled it only with palstic tweezers and only set it on wood, but i worry that even these may scratch it. The camera has a very tough time recording the amazing dispersion that they eye sees all the time in all lights. Only one of my daylight photos shows a red flash and a green flash. But the indoor photos show the never absent fire. The first photos, with some tiny amboyna wood balls Ive been carving, pointless things really, are with indoor light. The other daylight pics are in a spalted maple burl bowl that I carved. There is a tiny divit in the wood that the culet fit in so the sphalerite was sitting securely. I shall now inundate you with photos.

 

[VapidLapid]

 

[VapidLapid]

 

[LD]

What an unusual Sphalerite - it looks much more like a Sphene! My Sphalerite's are all a burnt volcano orange colour and although I've seen the yellow/green variety I've not seen one as yellow as yours! What are your plans for it? I also adore the bowl you carved - very talented and a great gift to possess.

 

[minousbijoux]

The stone looks amazingly brilliant with a great neonish color, but I agree with LD that the star is really your woodwork. The pic of the stone with the backdrop of the bow's pattern is almost other worldly.

 

[Arkteia]

The stone and the bowl look beautiful together, own't it sad that the stone is so soft? I wish one could set it in wood! Amazing beauty, and so well-cut! :

 

[T L]

Another stone I wish I could see a video of. It's really beautiful.

 

[chrono]

Beautiful gem! Definitely reminds me more of a sphene because I've seen more orange sphalerite. Gorgeous dispersion and I wish I could see yours in person.

 

[Barrett]

Fantastic stone, Vapid. I used to think they came in yellows and reds only....until I saw Egor's site. A video would be sweet

 

[VapidLapid]

Video would be a great addition to PS. Sphalerite especially gives up its amazing properties only in person or moving pictures. My sone came from Brad at the gem trader, and was mined in New York! The Egor Barret mentioned has wonderful vids on his site
http://gem-sphalerite.com/