GRADING REPORT NTOS233
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Sphalerite
- Carat: 2.33
- Shape: Kite Trillion
- Measures: 8.74x8.57x4.54 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Excellent
- Tone: Medium Dark 70
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Lightly Included (see comment)
- Cutting Grade: Excellent (precision cut)
-> Brilliancy: 75%
-> Depth: 53%
- Origin: Spain
- Treatment: None
Certificate No: AIG G90716424BE
Overall Grade: Very Good+
Comment: Sphalerite is the less-known king or queen of fire and brilliancy in the gem world. Though not strictly extrapolative, sphalerite's dispersion is near four times higher than that of diamond, thrice as high as sphene or demantoid, five times higher than zircon etc., etc.. Such a miracle cannot come without trade-off, hence nature made sphalerite especially soft, softer than even sphene, and simply the opposite of diamond. However, precision cut, carefully set and lovingly worn there is nothing that beats this gem in the perhaps most desired feature of all gems: sparkling in rainbow-colors. If you consider setting a sphalerite, let the seller cover the risk. Once in a protective pendant, the gem shall be relatively safe. This 2.33 shows some inclusions under the lens; to the unaided eye they appear only as an interruption of luster. Remarkable vivid orange with a dash of yellow. Note the size, near 9x9mm from only 2.3 carats but no window.
P.S. As explained in 'sorted by varieties' we sometimes add a gem from a different, 'wrong' variety in order to broaden your choices. While sphalerite is a soft gem, it beats all diamonds in fire or 'dispersion'. Well protected in a bezel, you can get diamond-double-plus fire for a fraction of the cost (9x9mm vivid orange diamond may cost a few millions).
