Afg018 - Sodalite with Sulphur and Pyrite - Ladjuar Medam, Sar-e-Sang District, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

From the extremely small find of May, 2009, this is a superb specimen of gem sodalite on sulphur with well-formed pyrite crystals. The sodalite measures to almost 5 mm and fluoresces a bright yellow orange under LW UV. The pyrite crystals are small but excellent for the association. 2.5 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm.

As reported in the Winter 2009 issue of Gems & Gemology, Bob Downs of the University of Arizona analyzed a specimen from this occurrence, utilizing single-crystal x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The analysis confirmed the identification as sodalite. All photographs are by Joe Budd.