Specimen #525

Name: Serpentine (Bowenite)

Type: Gem

Locality: Afghanistan

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 11.5 x 8.4 mm

Weight: 2.84 cts

Acquired: 2007-10-25

Source: Arkenstone: Rob Lavinsky

Label: N

Comment: This material is rarely seen in faceted stones, and even more rarely in gems that are gem quality. Bowenite is actually a variety of Antigorite which was first found in Italy. This stone has a somewhat "milky" appearance like Prehnite, but it much more rare considering that the stone is gemmy and not at all opaque. The color is a very rich green color and I''m lead to believe that this material contains a trace of Chromium, which causes this unusual and striking color. You just don''t see these on the market, and every rare stone collector should have one, especially a stone of this size, as most of them are under 1 carat in my experience ! Enjoy !

Minerals: Bowenite Serpentine

There is one picture on file

M00525-01.jpg:

Serpentine (Bowenite), Afghanistan - 14.1 x 9.4 mm