Specimen #2489

Name: Star Enstatite

Type: Gem

Locality: Sri Lanka

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 9.6 mm x 7.8 mm

Weight: 2.48 ct

Acquired: 2013-03-29

Source: Arkenstone Auction

Label: N

Comment: Enstatite is a fairly rare collectors stone, and is not often seen in star gems. This "Oval Cabochon" cut gem is a good sized stone for the material, which for the most part is black and opaque, but shows a beautiful 4-ray star when viewed under strong light. These stones are cut when thin, fibrous inclusions are are oriented inside of the Enstatite crystal at the correct angle to properly show off the "legs" of the star. When these inclusions are numerous enough to make the stone translucent or opaque, they allow light to be reflected in such a way that a star floats across the top of the stone with movement. It is an amazing phenomenon that is only seen in a few gems around the world. The actual "legs" of the star in this stone are rather sharp, with very little in the way of breaks and excellent consistency throughout. A superb quality rare gem for any collector.

Minerals: Enstatite (Mg2Si2O6)

There is one picture on file

M02489-01.jpg:

Star Enstatite, Sri Lanka - FOV: 8.0 x 12.0 mm - 2.48 cts