Austrian Pinolith Cabochon-large loose oval gemstone for jewelry making-VERY RARE old stock

VERY RARE Austrian Pinolith old-stock stone was used in this stunning oval:

1.77 x 1.17 x .30 inches, 19.4 grams/.684 ounces

- dense, tight breccia that wrap around edges
- flashy crystal matrix
- both sides polished, face to 100K grit
- thick girdle, slight bevel—ideal for wire wrapping
- artisan craftsmanship, made in the USA

ABOUT THE STONE
Austrian Pinolith is a very rare semiprecious metamorphic stone. The primary deposit is strictly limited to the Lower Tauern mountains in Styria, Austria. Valued for its striking black-and-white "pine nut" pattern, its supply is highly limited because extensive mining during World War II melted most of the raw material down for its manganese content. The high demand from collectors combined with the limited availability of old-stock material makes authentic Austrian specimens highly sought-after.