Fire opal has been found in Ethiopia for many years, this new deposit also known as 'desert opal,' typically has a white silica base, compared to the previous finds that were brown or occasionally black. Desert opal can be brilliant and colorful. It is a new deposit, and as such untested for very long time horizons (like Australian). We have cut many pieces, and if they don't crack during cutting, we let them "rest," for about a year, before offering them for sale. The rough piece weighs 55.80 carats/ 11.16 grams. It is a wonderful specimen from this new deposit. The piece is a nodule, that has a flat face, and the quality of the opal seam is beautiful. Pics don't convey the way the light pics up the colors when you see it in person.  The cabochon that accompanies the larger piece weighs 3.89 carats. It is cut as a high dome round. I matched the color play as much as possible to make the set. They both exhibit flashes of green and orange, with the cab exhibiting a bit more blue. 

QUARTZ11 - Quartz "Faden"
$ 125.00 (=~ AUS$ 194.12)
Dara Ismael Khan District, Waziristan, Pakistan
thumbnail - 7.0 x 5.5 x 4.0 cm

I recently got this as part of a collection from the man who originally "found," this deposit in Pakistan about 11 years ago. He had a nice stash of unique pieces. This crystal group is really unusual because it exhibits both the tabular form right alongside a conventional prismatic Quartz crystal. The white center "line" down the center of the tabular crystal is called a Faden (in German this means "thread") it is the central line of growth that the crystal grows outward from. this piece sits nicely by itself and has unique character.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

SAPPHIRE2 - Corundum Var. Sapphire
$ 115.00 (=~ AUS$ 178.59) NET
Balangoda, near Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
thumbnail - 2.3 x .7 x .7 cm

This pinkish/lavender sapphire has an amazing fluorescence (long wave)! It is pictured front and back, regular lighting and fluorescent, both pics are highly accurate. It's in good shape, without any visible dings, but with a little natural "roughing," on one lower face, where there was some contact. It weighs 9.26 carats.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

SAPPHIRE3 - Corundum Var. Sapphire
$ 95.00 (=~ AUS$ 147.53) NET
Balangoda, near Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
thumbnail - 2.1 x 1.1 x .6 cm

This slightly tabular pinkish lavender sapphire crystal fluoresces under long wave like it's going out of style. It's in good shape overall with small ding on one side of the lower termination. It weighs 9.91 carats.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

AQUA10 - Beryl var. Aquamarine
$ 295.00 (=~ AUS$ 458.11)
Quy Chau District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam
thumbnail - 2.85 x .6 x .6 cm

This crystal was "hiding," in a gem rough parcel. I think the owner overlooked the termination. This is a relatively new location. This crystal is a stunner, with excellent color and unparalleled gem clarity. I can mount on a custom acrylic base if desired. no damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

TANZANITE3 - Zoisite Var. Tanzanite
$ 195.00 (=~ AUS$ 302.82) NET
Arusha, Merelani, Tanzania
thumbnail - 1.3 x .9 x .6 cm

Tanzanite is a gem form of zoisite, found only in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Mining is very deep, as gemstones easily go for $250 - $1000+ per carat. Crystals are also produced, of varying quality given largely that anything with a gemmy area within it gets cut. Also most are dinged, so getting pristine specimens is very difficult. Most pieces are heat treated, which mimics the natural geology that gives the crystals that amazing blue-purple color. This well formed, gemmy crystal has a natural bluish-purple color, with a tinge of yellow in its base (which shows it hasn't been heated after mining). It is a wedge shaped (looks like a front tooth actually), and weighs 6.40 carats. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

TANZANITE4 - Zoisite Var. Tanzanite
$ 215.00 (=~ AUS$ 333.88)
Arusha, Merelani, Tanzania
thumbnail - 1.6 x 1.1 x .7 cm

Tanzanite is a gem form of zoisite, found only in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Mining is very deep, as gemstones easily go for $250 - $1000+ per carat. Crystals are also produced, of varying quality given largely that anything with a gemmy area within it gets cut. Also most are dinged, so getting pristine specimens is very difficult. Most pieces are heat treated, which mimics the natural geology that gives the crystals that amazing blue-purple color. 

This crystal has a natural steely blue color with a yellow accent in its base. It has a little scraping on it back edge. It weighs 8.65 carats.

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