Magnesio Axinite, an alexandrite like gem?

[dm-smith]

Has anyone heard of Magnesio Axinite? Today, a friend of mine showed me a light blue to pretty vivid pink (html color code around #EA20F9) Magnesio Axinite. The stone itself isn't clean (it has several cracks), but it's huge (a little bit above 6ct). However, the price is jaw dropping. Is this a rare stone?

 

[chrono]

Hmmm....not attractive colours, only 6.5 MOH and brittle doesn't sound particularly inviting to me. Few are nice looking and even fewer are facet grade.
http://www.gemdat.org/gem-35599.html

 

[Starzin]

I'd also be very wary of an axinite that showed the hex colour you referred to. Have you had a look at Google images?

And no, while I'm not familiar with it, it would not appear to be a substitute for alex in any way, shape or form.

 

[LoversKites]

The Gem Trader has had some of these up, they all had a pink to violet change (shift?), which isn't alexandrite like.

http://www.thegemtrader.com/May12MgAxinitePage.htm

I think what you describe your friend to have is very uncommon.

 

[Marlow]

An extremely rare and cool collector stone!!! I love it but still have none in my collection.
They have different colors - some wth a CC.

this one is extremely fine!!!!!

http://www.thegemtrader.com/May12MgAxinitePage.htm

Early in the morning so douple post - sorry!!

Another one...

http://www.thegemtrader.com/July11MgAxinitePage.htm

Most are included - thats why I am still hunting!!

 

[dm-smith]

wow, only $900/ct! I think my friend was joking, but he asked for a much much much higher price per carat.

quick question guys, is this vendor reliable?
I saw this interesting stone in his inventory
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug14CESapphirePage.htm
is this stone rare or even exist? I've seen cat's eye tourmaline and opal, but sapphire? this is the first!

 

[LoversKites]

Yes he is a very reputable dealer.

 

[Marlow]

One of the best vendor in the internet!!

A true eye is VERY rare!! The inclusion normally form a six ray star and some eye are "one ray stars" ( the cutting is responsible for this)

In Sapphire a star is common and a cat eye rare - in chrysoberyl the star is rare and the cat eye common!!!

 

[dm-smith]

One of the best vendor in the internet!!

A true eye is VERY rare!! The inclusion normally form a six ray star and some eye are "one ray stars" ( the cutting is responsible for this)

In Sapphire a star is common and a cat eye rare - in chrysoberyl the star is rare and the cat eye common!!!

Is there any way to differentiate between the "one ray stars" sapphire cat eye sapphire? The vendor said that sapphire has a true cat eye effect. how does he know?

This seller seems to have two sapphire cat eye
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug12CESapphirePage.htm
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug14CESapphirePage.htm

However, the eye seems stronger on the smaller stone. am I right?

 

[chrono]

A cat's eye will "open" and "close". A good cat's eye will also exhibit a milk and honey effect.

 

[Marlow]

One of the best vendor in the internet!!

A true eye is VERY rare!! The inclusion normally form a six ray star and some eye are "one ray stars" ( the cutting is responsible for this)

In Sapphire a star is common and a cat eye rare - in chrysoberyl the star is rare and the cat eye common!!!

Is there any way to differentiate between the "one ray stars" sapphire cat eye sapphire? The vendor said that sapphire has a true cat eye effect. how does he know?

This seller seems to have two sapphire cat eye
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug12CESapphirePage.htm
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Aug14CESapphirePage.htm

However, the eye seems stronger on the smaller stone. am I right?

Imagine a star sapphire cut as completly round ball - north pole and south pole is the star and the 3 rays run from north pole to south pole and back on the other side - and if you cut the cab that you only see one ray from north to south ( most are long ovals!!)

 

[Marlow]

A cat's eye will "open" and "close". A good cat's eye will also exhibit a milk and honey effect.

Yes - but try to find a rutile cat eye - a sharp golden laser beam !!!!