“SONORA SUNSET” DESIGNER CABOCHON (Mexico) – 26.3 Ct.

Sonora Sunset/Sunrise are marketing names for an exciting newly-introduced copper gem mineral from Mexico. It consists of bright red cuprite (variety chalcotrichite for the mineral people), who will also want to know it contains chrysocolla, malachite, plancheite and tenorite. It’s very striking and lovely with bold colors and patterns in blue, black and bright red. This long designer stone weighs a bit over 26 ct. and measures approx. 15 x 30 x 5 mm. Red dominates in this medium-domed stone. It’s highly polished front and back, unlike many of the "eggshell" polishes generally offered,  and is guaranteed untreated. The rough stone for this fine gemstone is no longer available.  (Some care, N)