Zoisite Var. Tanzanite from Merelani Mine, Lelatema Mountains, Arusha Region, Tanzania
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(click on the pictures to enlarge)
TANZANITE7 - Zoisite Var. Tanzanite
$ 495.00 (=~ CAN$ 667.62)
Merelani Mine, Lelatema Mountains, Arusha Region, Tanzania
thumbnail - 2.25 x .8 x .8 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.
It weighs 14.71 carats (2.94 grams). It is really gemmy, bright and long. There is a small sidecar crystal, that accents the longer one well. The termination is pristine, with only a tiny chip on the backside smaller crystal.
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