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Description
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Howardite cab ~
Offered here is a large and outstanding connoisseur's cabochon of howardite (an unusual and RARE form of opalized-silicated tuff), which hails from northern Nevada. According to the miner, this material was completely dug out long ago, and what little there is to be had from collectors comes at a premium. Sometimes called 'rattlesnake stone', it has delightful coloration and figure, reminding me of crazy venetian blinds or zippers, oddly enough. The darkest areas you see in the pics are actually highly translucent pools, many showing subtle fortifications, giving the stone a fascinating quality of depth. The backlit photo illustrates the stone's gemmy nature quite well, so please click it up to full size to see the intriguing details. This cab has a well rounded dome of 7mm, a curvy designer drop shape, and a slick glossy polish both front and back.
Size: 50x31mm
Weight: approximately 71 carats
Price: SOLD See current gemstones for sale 
 Howardite
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