TANZANITE (ZOISITE)

Natural Tanzanite rough is so extremely hard to get these days that even some of the Tanzanian mines are trying to pass off synthetic material as the real thing. The only source of the fine blue/violet rough is Tanzania, and mining conditions have been horrible in '98.  Torrential rains caused the collapse of one of the largest mines and the local paper reported 100 miners were killed (and this was just the "registered " miners). Tanzanite in its natural form is usually has a root-beer/orangish colored axis that when heated becomes intense blue (almost all Tanzanite is heat-treated). Untreated deep violet and blue crystals are possible but quite rare. Gems are usually cut on the blue axis, but the purple axis would certainly make a terrific looking gem.
Sorry, SOLD

ORIGIN: Mined in Tanzania, Faceted in USA
CUT: Oval Barion Cut with Step-cut  Crown, Dazzling excellent cut
COLOR: "B+" Color. Medium-dark Violet/Blue.  Like most Tanzanite, this gem has been heat-treated.
INCLUSIONS: Gem is clean under 10X loupe except for one fingerprint inclusion at one end under the step cuts.  Slightly eye visible, but not noticeable.
OTHER INFO: Very flashy gem with a spectacular cut! This will make one incredible ring! See pics for gem in different lighting conditions. This size cut Tanzanite is rare to see these days.

GIA GG lab appraisal at $600/ct ($4,038.00); included with purchase.

  • Top-left: diffused incandescent light (gem is more violet),

  • Top-right: natural diffused light,

  • Bottom-left: direct natural light.