Having handled over a dozen of the finest heliodors during a career spanning more than three decades (one that started in Russia in the early 1990s), Daniel is widely regarded as a leading authority on the material from Volodarsk-Volynskii, the premier source for fine heliodor worldwide.
This breathtaking piece is what he believes to be the finest known example from Ukraine in existence today. Once part of the collection of Marco Amabili, a respected figure in the mineral world and a close friend, the specimen carries both pedigree and distinction. This is a striking lemon-yellow crystal, approaching eight inches in height, with sharply defined faces and remarkable presence. Notably, it has retained its geometry to an uncommon degree; most examples from this locality exhibit some level of natural etching, a characteristic feature of Volyn material. While such etching is often admired, examples that preserve this level of structural integrity are exceedingly rare and beloved. Its most striking feature, however, is its luminosity; it has a stunning glow that makes it appear as though it is lit from within. The leader in a group of perhaps a handful of specimens displaying this combination of size, clarity, form, color, and presence, this piece stands as one of the most outstanding examples of its species, not only just from Ukraine, but worldwide.