We specialize in collector & high end colored gems not commonly found in retail stores. We strive to provide the best possible customer service and value. We stand behind our products and have the expertise of a GIA Graduate Gemologist to serve you. Donald Hofler GIA GG, AJP
SEE OUR GROWING SELECTION OF SOME OF THE RAREST GEM STONES AND MINERAS ON EARTH IN OUR STORE. WE OFFER WELL OVER 100 DIFFERENT GEMS, MINERAL, SPECIES AND VARIATIES FOR SALE AND AUCTION AND OUR SELECTION IS GROWING. TAKE A PEAK AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK.
PICTURES; I AM A GRADUATE GEMOLOGIST WITH LIMITED PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS. WHILE MY GEM & GEM TREATMENT SKILLS ARE VAST MY PHOTOGRAPH SKILLS ARE NOT & I CANNOT DO VIDEOS. ONE NEEDS TO MAKE A CHOICE, BUY YOUR RARE GEMS AND JEWELRY FROM A GEMOLOGIST WHO CAN ASSURE THT WHAT YOU ARE BUYING IS WHAT YOU ARE BUYING OR A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO TAKES GREAT PHOTOS AND MAY NOT GET THE GEM CALL CORRECT. AS FAR AS ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, THAT TYPICALLY WILL NOT HAPPEN, SORRY. I RARELY GET THE TIME TO TAKE PHOTOS WHEN I GET MY SET UP AND RUNNING SO ASKING FOR SPECIAL OR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS WILL GET A HONEST RESPONSE, BUT, NOT LIKELY THE ONE YOUR LOOKING FOR SO IF THE ONE PHOTO YOU NEED TO PURCHASE MY ONE OF A KIND ITEM IS NOT THERE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO CONSIDER ANOTHER SELLER THAT CAN PROVIDE YOU THE PHOTO YOU NEED OR TRY IT ON YOUR OWN HAND WHEN IT ARRIVES. THANKS IN ADVANCE, DON HOFLER GIA GG, AJP
Pieces: 1
Shape: Oval Facet
Type: Tanzanite / Zoisite
Color: Medium dark Blue Green & Blue flash
Weight: 2.38 CT
Clarity: VS1-2 (Type I) (
PLEASE; If unsure of what clarity means see chart below for a more detailed explanation also remember colored gems are graded with the naked eye and not a loupe )
Size: 10.2 x 7.1 x 4.3 mm
Luster: Vitreous
Origin: Tanzania, Africa
Treatment: Untreated
Hardness: 6.5 - 7.0 on MOHS
The key to tanzanite’s rarity is that tsavorite is a high-temperature, high-pressure mineral, and tsavorite actually crystallized first, deep in the earth. As continental drift took place, oceanic crust is denser and therefore sinks. Continental crust is lighter and more buoyant geologically. And so that natural up lift, as well as erosion, brought those rocks that were 8-10 kilometers under the earth to the surface over 1.5 billion years.
Tsavorite was the main mineral that was crystallized. At around 500 million years, a later fluid event, a younger fluid event, took place, and actually that pressure, with that fluid, transformed the tsavorite all the blocks. Geochemically and fluid-wise, it altered that tsavorite into tanzanite. So tsavorite which is a calcium, aluminum silicate, with that water and that fluid event, changed that crystallization to a calcium-aluminum hydro silicate, so it can be in the water.
And so, that is one source of the tanzanite. The other source is a chain reaction with surrounding rocks and fluids, which was rich in the calcium, aluminum, silicate. Crucial to tanzanite is the vanadium content, which is its chromophore. Vanadium is responsible for the blue color – the tanzanite blue – and that was sourced from that carbonaceous and organic material that was deposited millennia ago, because that vanadium has got that organic origin, which was subsequently metamorphosed into graphite.
VVS 1 & 2
Extra Fine Quality. These gems have microscopic inclusions which are difficult to slightly difficult to see under a loupe with 10x magnification.
VS 1
Very Fine Quality. Small pin-pricks are just visible to the scrutiny of the close naked eye. However, the beauty of the gem is not diminished in anyway.
VS 2
Fine Quality. Small pin-pricks and feathers are just visible to the scrutiny of the close naked eye. However, the overall beauty of the gem is still not diminished.
SI 1
Good Quality. These gems have inclusions, which are fairly easy to see to the close naked eye. However, the overall beauty of the gem is still high.
SI 2
Good to Medium-High Quality. These gems have inclusions which are fairly easy to see under the close naked eye. These inclusions are usually not really visible at an arm's length.
Included
Medium to the lower qualities. Included gems with internal features that range from eye visible to very easily seen to the naked eye.
