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.
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Pieces: 1
Shape: Oval cabochon [This material in faceted form is very rare]
Type: Hemimorphite; Most frequently occurs as the product of the oxidation of the upper parts of sphalerite bearing ore bodies, accompanied by other secondary minerals which form the so-called iron cap or gossan. Hemimorphite is an important ore of zinc and contains up to 54.2% of the metal, together with silicon, oxygen and hydrogen. The crystals are blunt at one end and sharp at the other.nThis newly discovered material is featured in the Summer 2020 edition of GIA Gems & Gemologly.
Color: Vivid Blue
Weight: 3.17 CT
Clarity: Translucent (Type II) (PLEASE; If unsure of what clarity means see chart below for a more detailed explanation)
Size: 9.2 x 8.2 x 4.5 mm
Luster: Sub Vitreous
Origin: Morrocco
Treatment: None, 100% Natural
Hardness: 4.5 - 5.0 on MOHS
Hemimorphite, is Zn4(Si2O7)(OH)2·H2O, a component of calamine. It is a sorosilicate mineral which has been historically mined from the upper parts of zinc and lead ores, chiefly associated with Smithsonite, ZnCO3. They were assumed to be the same mineral and both were classed under the same name of calamine. In the second half of the 18th century it was discovered that these two different minerals were both present in calamine. They closely resemble each other.
The silicate was the rarer of the two, and was named hemimorphite, because of the hemimorph development of its crystals. This unusual form, which is typical of only a few minerals, means that the crystals are terminated by dissimilar faces. Hemimorphite most commonly forms crystalline crusts and layers, also massive, granular, rounded and uniform aggregates, concentrically striated, or finely needle-shaped, fibrous or stalactitic, and rarely fan-shaped clusters of crystals.
Some specimens show strong green fluorescence in shortwave ultraviolet light (253.7 nm) and weak light pink fluorescence in long wave UV.
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.
