One such person was a friend of a friend of mine, a resident of HOTAZEL, bad spelling for hot as hell. It is a mining place where they mine and rail millions of tons of iron mineral each year. Small but very busy town, on the North Eastern part of the Cape Province.

The fellow brought a boulder from a new mineral he discovered. It was violet with some strikes of very deep, even darker violet. I had never seen that stone before. I did not know whether it will take a good shine when polished. But I always liked violet.

I was going away to the Far East for 2 weeks. The man left the stone at our factory in Johannesburg and we were going to talk some more upon my return.

While away, my factory manager came upon the boulder. He was very narrow minded: if it is big enough and solid enough, he will cut slabs to make a box.

By the time I came back, he showed me not one but two boxes. They were exquisite, as you can see. It took a few days to locate the fellow and when we did, he gave me the bad news. For me anyhow.

Apparently, an American from California arrived, we do not know why, to visit Hotazel, took some samples, went back to USA and phoned that he is buying the whole lot. Bless the Americans. They are always faster and smarter than all others. I tried to talk the man into changing his mind, selling to me, working in partnership, but he wouldn't consider it. He gave his word and that was enough. The Yankee won.

Soon, by what I understand, that place was worked out. Many people tried to find other deposits of Sugilite in the vicinity but with no luck The Californian and the miner made a packet from faceting and selling the
Sugilite. And all that I got is this box, as shown here.

I gave the second box to the original owner, in exchange for the boulder of rough Sugilite left with me in the beginning.

So, for me, Sugilite will always mean "the one that has got away". The good deal that I did not do.
Somewhere in this world, there must be a second box made from Sugilite. I wonder who has it now??