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Rare Gemstones!!
Page 2
Gemstone # Taaffe243
Name:
Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S (formerly
Taaffeite)
Locality: Niriella Village, Sri Lanka
Weight: 2.43 cts
Size: 9.89 x 6.64 mm
Price per Carat: $2,500
Price For Stone: $6,075
Cut: Free Form Diamond
Color: Pale Violet
Clarity: Eye Clean
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available
Comments: Taaffeite (the correct name is actually now
Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S) is one of the great rarities in the
gem world. This stone is from the TYPE LOCALITY for
the material, and it is a superb quality gem. The
clarity and size make this more than just collector quality,
it's top notch! Taaffeite is very similar to mauve
colored Spinel, and the original stones were actually all
sold as Spinel (which can still happen to this day), but it
is the characteristic birefringence of Taaffeite which now
allows gemologists and gem dealers to identify the material
and prevent it from being labeled as the much more common
Spinel. Taaffeite as a mineral species is incredibly
rare, and facetted gems are becoming more and more difficult
to obtain. Every rare gem collection needs a top
quality Taaffeite like this stone. For future
reference, it is most likely that in the gem trade the name
"Taaffeite" will mostly likely continue to be used instead
of the more cumbersome (though correct)
Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S.
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Gemstone # Musgrav044
Name:
Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S
(formerly Musgravite)
Locality: Tunduru, Tanzania
Weight: 0.44 cts
Size: 5.21 x 4.19 mm
Price per Carat: $3,500
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
Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S (formerly Taaffeite). For future reference,
it is most likely that in the gem trade the name
"Musgravite" will mostly likely continue to be used instead
of the more cumbersome (though correct)
Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S.
There are only two known localities for this gem in the world.
This particular stone is from Tanzania, where recently a
very small amount of superb quality rough was found.
It is a superb quality gem with a beautiful color and eye
clean clarity. It would make a wonderful addition to
any rare gem collection, and most definitely would allow you
to check this very rare (and attractive) stone off your want
list. I have seen Musgravite gems being offered at
over $10,000 per carat at trade shows, so do not miss out on
this opportunity to own an amazingly rare gem for a good
price.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This particular stone was actually described in the article in Journal of Gemology, Vol. 30, No.7/8, pages 367 - 382, 2007. A copy of the article/analysis will be included with the stone.
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Gemstone # Musgravite035
Name:
Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S
(formerly Musgravite)
Locality: Tunduru, Tanzania
Weight: 0.35 cts
Size: 4.78 x 3.65 mm
Price per Carat: $3,500
Price For Stone: $1,225
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).
For future reference, it is most likely that in the gem
trade the name "Musgravite" will mostly likely continue to
be used instead of the more cumbersome (though correct)
Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S.
There are only two known localities for this gem in the world. This particular stone is from Tanzania, where recently a very small amount of superb quality rough was found. It is a superb quality gem with a beautiful color and eye clean clarity. It would make a wonderful addition to any rare gem collection, and most definitely would allow you to check this very rare (and attractive) stone off your want list. I have seen Musgravite gems being offered at over $10,000 per carat at trade shows, so do not miss out on this opportunity to own an amazingly rare gem for a good price.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This particular stone was actually described in the article in Journal of Gemology, Vol. 30, No.7/8, pages 367 - 382, 2007. A copy of the article/analysis will be included with the stone.
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Gemstone # Croc435
Name: Crocoite
Locality: Tasmania
Weight: 4.35 cts
Size: 12.78 x 5.66 mm
Price per Carat: $120
Price For Stone: $522
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 cts
Size: 6.01 mm
Price per Carat: $250
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 cts
Size: 6.83 x 3.50 mm
Price per Carat: $600
Price For Stone: $330
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 cts
Size: 10.40 x 7.80 mm
Price per Carat: $100
Price For Stone: (SOLD)
Cut:
Color: Pink / Purple
Clarity: Translucent
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
(SOLD)
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 cts
Size: 3.68 x 3.35 mm
Price per Carat: $300
Price For Stone: $102
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 cts
Size: 5.67 x 3.02 mm
Price per Carat: $200
Price For Stone: $148
Cut: Free Form
Color: Red
Clarity: VVS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
Available
Comments: Manganotantalite has now been reclassified as
Tantalite-(Mn). The mineral
is rather simple in its chemistry, but it not a common species whatsoever. This material often forms very dark red (nearly black) crystals that are rarely clean enough for faceting. The material from the Alto Ligonha pegmatite in Mozambique is some of the gemmiest and most intense red you'll ever see. It is truly the best material in the world for faceting gems.
Sadly, this locality is now defunct, and these great stones
are very difficult to obtain. This stone has a true blood red
color and it is not at all black like so many I've seen from other localities
(it's more intense than the photos indicate). This stone has to be classified as "gem quality"
which is uncommon for and for rare stone collectors, this
is a wonderful piece to add to your collection.
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Gemstone # Pyrox027
Name: Pyroxmangite
Locality:
Brazil
Weight: 0.27 cts
Size: 6.93 x 3.12 mm
Price per Carat: $150
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 cts
Size: 7.24 x 4.78 mm
Price per Carat: $300
Price For Stone: (SOLD)
Cut: Emerald
Color: Yellow
Clarity: VS
Cut by Us: No
Availability:
(SOLD)
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 "Color
Encyclopedia of Gemstones" that "Ettringite is not generally
facetable; any cut stone would be considered an extreme
rarity". Although Ettrinite is not the rarest of
gems, it is considerably difficult to obtain a cut stone,
and all rare gem collections need an Ettringite in them.
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