*** Welcome to Mineral Classics! Wednesday, September 8, 2010... Our database contains 1456 specimens, encompassing 137 species... Please be sure to check out our new fully searchable database feature (click on the Search Site button on the left side of the screen)

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Gemstone # TAAFFE243 Name: Taaffeite Locality: Niriella Village, Sri Lanka Weight: 2.43 carats Size: 9.89 x 6.64 mm Price per Carat: $ 2500.00 Price For Stone: $ 6075.00

Cut: Free Form Diamond Color: Pale Violet Clarity: Eye Clean Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Taaffeite (the correct name is actually now

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Gemstone # MUSGRAV044 Name: Musgravite Locality: Tunduru, Tanzania Weight: 0.44 carats Size: 5.21 x 4.19 mm Price per Carat: SOLD Price For Stone: SOLD

Cut: Oval Color: Light Purple Clarity: Eye Clean Cut by Us: No Availability: sold

Comments:

Musgravite (the species has been renamed Magnesiotaaffeite-6N?3S in reference to the Spinel and Nolanite nodules in the molecular structure of the mineral) is another one of the extraordinary rarities in the gem and mineral world. It was originally discovered in Australia, and now is defined as the trigonal (not hexagonal) polytype of

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Gemstone # MUSGRAVITE035 Name: Musgravite Locality: Tunduru, Tanzania Weight: 0.35 carats Size: 4.78 x 3.65 mm Price per Carat: $ 3500.00 Price For Stone: $ 1225.00

Cut: Oval Color: Light Purple Clarity: Eye Clean Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Musgravite (the species has been renamed Magnesiotaaffeite-6N?3S in reference to the Spinel and Nolanite nodules in the molecular structure of the mineral) is another one of the extraordinary rarities in the gem and mineral world. It was originally discovered in Australia, and now is defined as the trigonal (not hexagonal) polytype of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N?2S (formerly Taaffeite).

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Gemstone # Croc435 Name: Crocoite Locality: Tasmania Weight: 4.35 carats Size: 12.78 x 5.66 mm Price per Carat: $ 120.00 Price For Stone: $ 522.00

Cut: Elongated Emerald Color: Bright Orange / Red Clarity: Gemmy Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: The best Crocoite gems only come from Tasmania, and they are simply some of the most easily recognizable and beautiful of all rare stones. The characteristic vivid orange-red color makes Crocoite one of the most popular stones among collectors. Crocoite stones are typically rare due to the fact that the crystals are often very thin and slender, and not suitable for cutting gems. This particular stone is a very good sized gem for Crocoite, with superb color and nice translucency (Crocoite is never water clear unless the stones are tiny). A fine stone of this amazingly colorful and much-in-demand rare gem.

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Gemstone # Pold081 Name: Poldervaartite / Olmiite Locality: South Africa Weight: 0.81 carats Size: 6.01 mm Price per Carat: $ 250.00 Price For Stone: $ 202.50

Cut: Shield Color: Peach Clarity: VS Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Recently quite a bit of attention has been paid to this series of minerals, and as it turns out, it seems that the majority of the material which was labeled as "Poldervaartite" may in fact be Olmiite. With that said, we are taking the safe route and simply labeling this stone as being in the Poldervaartite/Olmiite series. Typically, despite the beautiful color of this material, much of it is not gem quality, and stones are simply not cut. This piece however is very gemmy and has a gorgeous peach hue. These gems are never 100% gem quality, and the clarity of this stone is certainly better than the few I have seen. It is also one of the largest stones of this material that I have seen as well. A truly beautiful and remarkably hard to find faceted gem of this very rare mineral. This material is only found in the Kalahari Manganese Fields in South Africa, and recent mining has been yielding significantly less gem quality material.

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Gemstone # Cata055 Name: Catapleiite Locality: Quebec, Canada Weight: 0.55 carats Size: 6.83 x 3.50 mm Price per Carat: $ 600.00 Price For Stone: $ 330.00

Cut: Elongated Emerald Color: Colorless Clarity: VVS Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Catapleiite is such a rare mineral that it actually gets is name from the Greek words meaning "rare minerals" as it is often found in association with very rare species. The only facet grade Catapleiite is found at Mont Saint-Hilaire in Canada. This stone is a very good sized Catapleiite as most I have seen are around the 0.10 cts range. For the size, the clarity is superb and this stone would make a wonderful addition to any rare gem collection. Please note that these photos are NOT out of focus. The "fuzzy" appearance is a trait of the material.

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Gemstone # COCAL179 Name: Cobaltoan Calcite Locality: Congo Weight: 1.79 carats Size: 10.40 x 7.80 mm Price per Carat: $ 100.00 Price For Stone: $ 179.00

Cut: Color: Pink / Purple Clarity: Translucent Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: These gems are some of the most vivid and highly sought after of rare gems. The color is obviously what draws collectors in. The color is almost unique to Cobaltoan Calcite, and is impossible to ignore. This beautiful stone is one of the few gems out of the Congo that we've had to offer recently. It seems that the supply is dwindling as I have not seen many good stones available over the last few years. For the size, the quality and the color, this would make a great addition to any rare gem suite, or a cut Calcite collection.

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Gemstone # Smith034 Name: Smithsonite Locality: Tsumeb, Namibia Weight: 0.34 carats Size: 3.68 x 3.35 mm Price per Carat: $ 300.00 Price For Stone: $ 102.00

Cut: Cut Corner Square Color: Lime Green Clarity: Slightly Included Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Smithsonite is one of those minerals that comes in nearly every color of the rainbow, but not always in gem quality crystals, so facetted gems are somewhat rare. This stone is most likely a Cuprian Smithsonite, due to the strong green color. It is very lively and eye-catching in person. Smithsonite actually has a dispersion nearly as high as Diamond, so well cut stones with good color are breathtaking, and should be treasured by collectors.

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Gemstone # MangTan074 Name: Tantalite-(Mn) (Formerly Manganotantalite) Locality: Mozambique Weight: 0.74 carats Size: 5.67 x 3.02 mm Price per Carat: $ 200.00 Price For Stone: $ 148.00

Cut: Free Form Color: Red Clarity: VVS Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Manganotantalite has now been reclassified as

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Gemstone # Pyrox027 Name: Pyroxmangite Locality: Brazil Weight: 0.27 carats Size: 6.93 x 3.12 mm Price per Carat: $ 150.00 Price For Stone: $ 40.50

Cut: Free Form Color: Rhodochrosite Red Clarity: VS Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Pyroxmangite is rarely found in large enough gem sections to facet stones, and despite is simplistic chemistry, it is a relatively rare mineral. The only gem quality Pyroxmangite that I've seen is from the Morro da Mina mine in Brazil. These stones are rarely eye clean, but they are gem quality and well known among rare gem collectors. This stone has a pleasing pink color (very similar to smaller Sweet Home Rhodochrosite). It is a beautiful rare gem, and one of the more intense colors in the gem world to be sure. Keep in mind that not all Pyroxmangite is pink, as there are localities that produce dark brown Pyroxmangite which is not nearly as desirable.

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Gemstone # ETTRING051 Name: Ettringite Locality: South Africa Weight: 0.51 carats Size: 7.24 x 4.78 mm Price per Carat: $ 300.00 Price For Stone: $ 153.00

Cut: Emerald Color: Yellow Clarity: VS Cut by Us: No Availability: Available

Comments: Ettringite is known from several world localities, but the South African Ettringite is the only facet-grade material that I know of. Most Ettringite is virtually microscopic and colorless, which is why these yellow gems are so highly sought after. Stones up to 3-4 carats are considered rather large for the species. This stone is quite gemmy for Ettringite, and is very attractive in person. Joel Arem states in his book "

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