Helenite has one of the best origin stories in the world of synthetic gems—even if the details don’t entirely hold up to lab scrutiny. According to the tale, this brilliant green and blue glass was discovered after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, when workers salvaging scrap metal noticed dazzling green pools of melted material where volcanic ash had fused with metal equipment in the intense heat. The story spread quickly, and before long, Helenite was being marketed as “Mount St. Helens Obsidian.”
But here’s the twist: GIA later analyzed the material and determined that it wasn’t actually made from volcanic ash at all—it’s a lab-created glass, plain and simple. Still, the name stuck, and so did the fascination. That’s partly because Helenite is genuinely beautiful. With its vivid, almost electric greens and blues, it stands out in any collection. And even though it isn’t volcanic in origin, it’s still a gem born of heat, chemistry, and a bit of good marketing.
The pieces shown here come from a set originally produced during Helenite’s heyday. They make excellent specimens for collectors of synthetic materials, teaching sets, or anyone who enjoys a great story. Sometimes, legend is half the fun
3 pieces / 10.064 grams / 50.32 carats
Estimate: $225 - $235
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