11.77 ct NUUMITE – GREENLAND

Nuummite 3 billion years old!! When I held my first piece of rough, which had been shipped directly from Greenland to me by a miner, my heart raced. He had to wait for months until summer arrived and the frozen area where Nuummite is found became accessible. It is a stunning material, almost as old as the planet itself. I am very happy being able to work with this stone; it feels less like a mineral and more like a piece of the Earth’s primordial memory. When you hold it, you are touching one of the oldest volcanic rocks known to man. Its dark, mysterious body is illuminated by shimmering "flecks" of color that look like stars trapped in a midnight sky. It is a stone of profound depth and timelessness. The Heritage & Discovery Historical Significance: Nuummite is one of the oldest stones on Earth, originating from the Precambrian era. Geologically, it is a metamorphic rock formed from the transformation of volcanic minerals over billions of years. Historically, it remained hidden beneath the ice of Greenland for eons, only becoming known to the modern world in the late 20th century. It represents the ultimate endurance of the Earth’s crust. In the world of rare gems, it is prized not just for its age, but for its unique "iridescent" shimmer, which sets it apart from any other dark metamorphic stone. It is often referred to as the "Sorcerer's Stone" due to its ancient origins and mystical appearance. Discovery: The stone was first discovered in 1982 near the capital of Greenland, Nuuk (formerly Godthåb). It was named "Nuummite" in honor of the municipality where it was found. Peter W. Uitterdijk Appel, a geologist, was instrumental in its scientific identification. Because it is found in a remote, sub-arctic environment, the mining window is incredibly short, making the arrival of new rough material a significant event for those of us who appreciate the rarity of the North. Important Mines: The only authentic source for this 3-billion-year-old material is the Nuuk region in West Greenland. The crystals are found in rugged, mountainous terrain that is only accessible by boat and only during the few months when the ice retreats. While there have been reports of similar-looking stones from other locations, true Nuummite is defined by its specific age and the complex mixture of Orthoamphiboles found only in the Greenlandic deposits. I prioritize the material sourced directly from these Arctic miners to ensure the antiquity and quality of every piece. Mineralogical Profile Description: Nuummite is an orthoamphibole rock, primarily composed of two minerals: Anthophyllite and Gedrite. It sits at a 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for carefully handled jewelry and beautiful as polished specimens. It is characterized by its vitreous to silky luster and its opaque, charcoal-to-black body color. The most identifying feature of Nuummite is its labradorescence-like shimmer, which creates bright flashes of gold, blue, red, or green. This effect is caused by the interference of light within the thin, alternating layers of the different amphibole minerals. When I work with this material, I must orient the cut to catch these "fireflies" of color against the dark background. It is a dense, tough stone that polishes to a high, metallic-like sheen, revealing the "spark" of life that has survived for three billion years. Chemical Formula: (Mg,Fe²⁺)₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (Complex mixture of Anthophyllite and Gedrite)