I bought this unbelievable rarity today in the gemstone market here in Bangkok. I've never seen a transparent gem-quality laboradite feldspar anywhere near this size or quality. I see huge numbers of gems for sale here in the wholesale markets all day, every day- but this is truly something very special. I went ahead and got an independent laboratory report that will assure the next owner that an independent gemologist has verified my identification and this is indeed natural labradorite feldspar. This stone weighs 28.15 carats as you can see on the report below. What a behemoth! What really took my breath away after all of the brilliance and color was the incredible custom cutting. This isn't a native-cut stone but was cut on an index machine- the type of machine that high-end Western and Japanese gemstone cutters use to ensure that every angle is perfect. The result is astonishing.
As always if you would rather have a GIA laboratory report, or Tokyo Gem Lab, or AIGS, or any of the independent labs that have facilities here in Bangkok (virtually all of them do) I would be happy to get the appropriate report for you for a reasonable fee. I have confidence in Hallmark as they are very professional and thorough and every stone that I have ever taken there has been properly identified. Sometimes my customers buy for their clients and they might lean toward one lab or another for marketing preferences which is understandable.
The straw yellow color is amazing in this very large gemstone. If you have ever had the experience of looking over a wheat field near harvest time you know this color. Once the wheat comes off and the stalks of straw are left behind you see that gorgeous yellow carpet rolling toward the horizon. The way the color and cut work together on this feldspar is really noteworthy as well- as light plays across the stone the facets seem to lighten and darken in a symphony of motion and brilliance.
I photographed this stone in a variety of positions, different lighting, and with different backgrounds to show you how it has a fabulous presence in virtually any situation. Whether you view it at home or in the office, inside our outdoors, the unmistakable marks of ultimate quality in cut and color show through. That is one mark of a truly luxurious gemstone- the ability to be beautiful in any light, and in any circumstance.
Speaking of "presence"- that is the undefinable characteristic that I look for in every stone that I buy. It is not just color, not just shape or cut or brilliance, but it is the ability of the stone to communicate with me. A stone can have many or all of the right things- a beautiful color, a pleasing shape, and lots of brilliance- but might still be a bit of a wallflower because it lacks presence. Presence is what my clients see when they open the package and take out the stone, and are shocked that it is so much better than the pictures. This is not unusual. There is no way that a digital camera can capture presence. Too many nuances of color and light are missing. The information is not all there. But this incredible labradorite has presence in abundance.
Presence goes hand-in-hand with pride. Whether this stone eventually becomes a piece of heirloom quality jewelry or the centerpiece of a very fine gemstone collection is largely a matter of pride. As I am a connoisseur of beautiful things I understand pride well. I might see a fabulous painting in an art musuem, and the presence is there for anyone with taste to see and feel- but pride is hanging that same painting on your own wall. I love to sell gemstones that people can be proud of, and certainly this is one.
This stone is on auction for 12 hours only. Starting bid is 190BTC. This price includes Federal Express delivery and 5,000 USD insurance on the parcel. It also includes the Hallmark Report. Any other laboratory report is an additional cost.
