Description
This is a beautiful high-grade strand of lavender-purple sugilite beads complemented by solid 18k gold beads and clasp. The beads are basically purple but have an undertone of lavender or lilac to them giving them kind of a light bluish hue. This is one of the properties of sugilite that attracts me to the stone – there is so much variation in color.
Total weight of the strand is 142.3 ct and the beads, which are well cut rondels, range in size from about 10.0 mm down to 3.5 mm (see photos with older U.S. dime for size/scale).
Sugilite is a relatively new gemstone that is found only in South Africa and is no longer commercially available. See link below for more information on this rare and unique gemstone.
Beware of fake sugilite and simulants for sale on the Internet. I have seen dyed chalcedony and jasper marketed as sugilite. You can be confident that you get what you paid for at ARJ.
A little about lighting and the color of sugilite: First, sugilite will look more red under incandescent light vs natural light. Secondly, sugilite will take on more bluish hue under fluorescent light as well as LED light. I typically photograph sugilite pieces in direct or diffused sunlight as this gives the best representation of what you will see under natural lighting conditions. If I photograph a piece indoors it will be under color corrected incandescent studio lights (which tend to give the piece more of a reddish hue).
Wire protectors, and crimps, which are subject to wear/stress, are made with gold filled components for greater durability. The decorative beads and clasp are solid 18k gold.
Learn more about Sugilite at this link.