We are always excited when something new and unusual appears on the gem market. In late 2023 we heard rumors of ‘Green Sodalite’ coming from the lapis mining area at Sar-i-Sang, in northeastern Afghanistan. In December we were shown cut gems of this material and, though mostly small, they were unusual and interesting. Our in-office testing however indicated they were in fact Hauyne rather than Sodalite – even more interesting! We sent the stones for further testing at the reputable GIT (Gemmological Institute of Thailand) and they confirmed this identification. This new material was indeed never before seen Green Hauyne. […]
We are excited to now be able to offer some beautiful Rhodochrosite from the long closed Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Colorado, USA. The Sweet Home mine was initially established in 1873 high in the mountains, as a silver mine. As a silver mine it was not especially profitable and ownership changed many times and it was worked only sporadically until the 1990’s. […]
