The color of Epidote varies with the amount of iron present and reaches from yellowish-green or pistachio-green to grey, brown, or nearly black. Epidote displays strong pleochroism (or iridiscense), meaning their optical properties vary with the direction of light. 

Ethical mining

The fan-shaped crystals from our so-called “mining” project are not really mined. They are actually surface collected (Rockhounding). No dynamite or chemicals are used and no habitat is destroyed.

Fan-shaped Epidote Crystals

This rare type of Epidote crystal is only known from a few places in the USA, from Pakistan, and from Peru. These crystals are looking like thin layers of fibers that are organized in a fan-like structure, starting at a central point and then fanning out.

Iridescent Epidote cabs

The fan-shaped crystal clusters often occur in a more solid state that is not very attractive for crystal specimen collectors. These clusters however can be used for gemcutting. Given the microscopic structure of these clusters the resulting cabochons do show a fascinating effect of iridescence when moved.

Epidote cabs with an internal fire.

Being cut from single big epidote crystals these fascinating and unique cabochons do surprise everyone with a sudden strong yellow flash when the light changes the angle of entrance into the translucent crystal.

Rarity

Fanshaped crystals (even though known from sits in the USA) do come mostly from Pakistan, and from Peru. Therefore, they are rare. Cuttable fan-shaped clusters to the best of our knowledge, are only known from our own mining project. 

Big single Epidote crystals, to the best of our knowledge, are only known from Peru and are a rare find.

Availability

Both cutting materials are so rare that we do not sell them as rough material. We offer custom-cut cabochons from both crystal types and you can obtain them as cabochons or as part of our jewelry. 

Cutting Quality

Challenges:

The fan-shaped epidote crystals require cutting at the right angle to produce the iridescent effect. The fibrous structure of the material requires a special technique of cutting to reduce the pores in the cab surface.

The cabochons cut from single epidote crystals must be cut at the right angle and have the ideal curve of the dome to promote a strong yellow flash effect.

The fan-shaped epidote crystals are soft and show a tendency to break and chip during the cutting process. 

Advantages:

Both types of crystals can be polished to glass-finish. Cabochons from single crystals tend to have a slightly better polish than fan-shaped crystals. Cabochons from single crystals have less tendency to chip. Experienced gemcutters can cut both crystal types to cabs with sharp top-quality edges.

Top-cutting-quality is characterized by:

• a polished backside
• a sharp unchipped edge between the backside and the bezel
• a very straight and even highly polished bezel
• a sharp unchipped edge between the bezel and the dome
• a well-shaped dome, not showing any deformation
• Top-quality polish

Pricing

Adequate pricing must take into account the cost factors to obtain top-quality cabochons:

• Acquisition of cuttable epidote crystals is almost impossible, they are self-mined.
• Requires knowledge about cutting at the right angles and with the correct dome curve.
• A usual material loss of approximately 90 % of the selected material during the cutting and shaping process.
• The level of experience required by a cutter to produce a flawlessly shaped and highly polished cabochon.

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