This remarkable specimen hails from the Rainbow Mine in northeast Nevada—the very site where the phenomenon of iridescent diffraction in andradite garnet was first discovered. Measuring 16.9mm x 12.6mm x 9.15mm, this piece features a prominently exposed, sharply formed garnet crystal with five intact terminations, beautifully perched atop a rugged skarn matrix.

The surface of the main crystal shimmers with a striking blue and green sheen, evoking the vivid lamellar diffraction effects seen in the famous rainbow garnets of Nara, Japan. Under shifting light, flashes of cobalt and emerald ripple across the faces, giving the crystal a lively, almost liquid metallic glow.

Self-collected approximately a year ago, this specimen is not only visually stunning but also historically significant—pieces from the Rainbow Mine are exceedingly rare on the market, especially in such well-preserved form with strong, clean iridescence.

An incredible combination of rarity, color, and crystallographic sharpness, this is a true collector's treasure for anyone passionate about optical mineral phenomena and important mineralogical localities. A brilliant, museum-worthy snapshot of the place where rainbow garnets first entered the world’s consciousness.