Sphalerite 0.25ct.

Sphalerite 0.25ct.

4.3×4.7×2.6mm

Made in Spain

Gemstone type 1

Piacchan's work

★★★★★

Sphalerite appears to be found in a wide range of locations around the world.
Spain, Mexico, the United States, and Canada are particularly famous for producing beautiful gem-quality sphalerite.
It is also said to be produced in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Russia, Peru, Namibia, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Australia, and China.
It can also be mined in Japan, with well-known mines including Oda Mine in Aomori Prefecture, Sayama Mine in Akita Prefecture, and Kamioka Mine in Gifu Prefecture.

・Sphalerite ・Diamond
Refractive index 2.37 – 2.43 2.42
Variance ratio 0.156 0.04

Thus, the refractive index of sphalerite is 2.37 – 2.43, which is similar to that of diamond at 2.42.
The dispersion ratios are 0.156 (sphalerite) and 0.04 (diamond), which means sphalerite is about four times higher.
Sphalerite is a difficult stone to cut, and much of the sphalerite sold on the market has a dull surface. However, thanks to the guidance of a master, all of the sphalerite created by GTJ main cutter Piacchan is shiny, making the most of the high dispersion of sphalerite.
As an aside, it seems that sphalerite is also found in small amounts in meteorites and lunar rocks, which gives you a strange feeling of being connected to the universe.
Please enjoy this sphalerite in GemTreeJapan's popular gemstone type 1 cut.

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