Spodumene (var. Hiddenite)

A superb, gemmy, pale green hiddenite thumbnail (8 carat) with excellent translucency from the type locality at Hiddenite, North Carolina. Hiddenite is the rare chromium-coloured green gem variety of spodumene. This thumbnail is nicely terminated on one end, with subtle natural etching on the faces. Specimens from Hiddenite, North Carolina represent the first described and historically significant source of hiddenite, and true examples from this locality are increasingly difficult to obtain. Unlike so-called “hiddenite” from Brazil or Afghanistan, which lacks chromium coloration and is incorrectly labeled at times, this crystal is the real material in every sense.

A small but excellent representative specimen from a classic American gem locality.