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. The mines are incredibly deep and long term future production is in question.

It weighs 21.37 carats (4.27 grams). It is a vibrant blue-purple with remarkable gemminess through out. The termination is pristine. The side near the bottom has a slight sheered spot that under the microscope is a crystallied face, so this happened while in the pocket and still growing.(it's very hard to spot) The main front face has some raised triangles (known as screw distortions to geologists), overall a great crystal, with flashes of purple when looking at it from the side.

TANZANITE7 - Zoisite Var. Tanzanite
$ 495.00 (=~ € 462.94)
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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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

APOPHYLLITE3 - Apophyllite with Scolecite
$ 295.00 (=~ € 275.89) SOLD
Jalisgoan, near Jalgoan, Maharashtra State, India
small cabinet - 8.0 x 5.2 x 3.2 cm

This dynamic piece has the unusual components of both green apophyllite and sprays of white Scolecite. It was found in summer of 2012 in a small pocket in a village in India, after they had dug a well. The longest Apophyllite is double terminated and 3.1 cm long. The apophyllites are bright and reflective and quite green (not too light). They have flat terminations simlar to the famous "disco ball," find many years ago. No damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

APOPHYLLITE4 - Apophyllite with Scolecite
$ 265.00 (=~ € 247.84) SOLD
Jalisgoan, near Jalgoan, Maharashtra State, India
thumbnail -

This dynamic piece has the unusual components of both green apophyllite and sprays of white Scolecite. It was found in summer of 2012 in a small pocket in a village in India, after they had dug a well. The longest Apophyllite is 2.2 cm long. The apophyllites are bright and reflective and quite green (not too light). They have flat terminations simlar to the famous "disco ball," find many years ago. No damage. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

APOPHYLLITE5 - Apophyllite with Scolecite
$ 225.00 (=~ € 210.43)
Jalisgoan, near Jalgoan, Maharashtra State, India
miniature - 4.95 x 3.95 x 3.3 cm

This dynamic piece has the unusual components of both green apophyllite and sprays of white Scolecite. It was found in summer of 2012 in a small pocket in a village in India, after they had dug a well. The longest Apophyllite is 2.0 cm long. The apophyllites are bright and reflective and quite green (not too light). They have flat terminations simlar to the famous "disco ball," find many years ago. No damage. THis is a well balanced piece of contrasting form and color. 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

QUARTZ56 - Quartz w/ Ajoite and Copper incls. (polished)
$ 795.00 (=~ € 743.51) SOLD
Messina, South Africa
cabinet - 14 x 12 x 9 cm

This cabinet sized Quartz Cluster involves over 20 crystals, most ofwhich exhibit turquoise colored Ajoite inclusions. The largest crystal has a white phantom deep inside it and copper inclusions near the surface (last pic). The second largest crystal contains the lion's share of the Ajoite with copper around the edges. It sits well from many angles and is a fine example of this rare Quartz inclusion from South Africa. Due to the inherent encrustation that sometimes occurs at this location, four crystal faces have been professionally lapped (polished) to "improve the view," inside. Otherwise there are no dings or chips or damamge of any kind on the cluster (except for the smallest crystal on the back side (not eye catching whatsoever). It was mined in the late 1980's. It weighs three pounds (1.36 kgs)

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

AQUA14 - Beryl Var. Aquamarine with Clevelandite
$ 395.00 (=~ € 369.42) SOLD
Shigar Valley, Baltistan, Pakistan
small cabinet - 6.1 x 3.5 x 3 cm

 This is a gemmy, bright Aquamarine crystal on matrix that is double terminated. it has good color, not the typical washed out color that is far more common. The gem crystal is 5.7 cm long by 1.8 cm wide. It comes mounted on an acryllic base. No damage.

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

APATITE7 - Quartz, Wolframite, Apatite
$ 95.00 (=~ € 88.85) SOLD
Panasquiera, Portugal
small cabinet - 6.1 x 2.3 xv 3 cm

I bought this directly from famous mathematician and world class mineral collector Steve Smale. It had been in his collection for over 20 years, and exhibits the kind of contrast and aesthetics he likes. the white and black elements work well together. No damage besides the small nub of Wolframite on the opposite side of the quartz crystal (also covered in apatites). 

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(click on the pictures to enlarge)

PYRO3 - Pyromorphite
$ 395.00 (=~ € 369.42) SOLD
Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Idaho
small cabinet - 7 x 3.1 x 3.1 cm

This Pyromorphite is bright, lustrous and well crystalliized. Individual crystals are as long as .8 cms. It really looks good on its acryllic base, as it sweeps up and to the right. I traded my friend John Rakovan (Miami University Professor extraordinaire) recently for this piece out of his collection. no damage.

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