Natural Pollucite Crystal
L'orchidée
Pollucite is a caesium-rich member of the zeolite group, formed in the late pockets of lithium–caesium–tantalum pegmatites. It is common enough as a massive, cloudy material and exceptionally rare as a clean, transparent crystal large enough to facet.
L'orchidée is a near-colourless pear of 42.11 ct, cut in a combined modified brilliant and step pattern, and documented in an independent laboratory report as natural pollucite with no detected treatments.
Rarity Score: 9.3 / 10
Reference stones
- The Regal · JDBG Collection · 39.71 ct
- Iceflake · JDBG Collection · 46.32 ct
- Pollucite Crystal · Smithsonian · 28.25 ct
Location: Stockholm · Private collection · JDBG GEMS
A matter of scale
Faceted pollucite is normally seen in single-digit carat weights, and institutional reference specimens, including the pollucite in the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection, are considerably smaller. At 42.11 ct L'orchidée stands among the largest documented faceted pollucites we have traced.
Why it is difficult
Pollucite is soft for its class (Mohs 6½), brittle, and prone to internal veiling. Clean rough survives cutting only when the cutter works slowly and accepts low yield.
Provenance
Acquired as a single loose stone with laboratory documentation; chain of custody is recorded from the cutting workshop to the Institute.
Documentation
Report, photographic record and acquisition history are held on file and shared in full with serious enquirers.