RARE COLLECTOR GEMSTONES

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GEMS-072 - Sphalerite - $ 375
Santander, Spain

thumbnail, 13.59 mm ; 9.67 carats
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Sphalerite from Santander, Spain [db_pics/new09/rlkg072c.JPG]Sphalerite from Santander, Spain [db_pics/new09/rlkg072a.JPG]
Sphalerite from Santander, Spain [db_pics/new09/rlkg072e.JPG]Sphalerite from Santander, Spain [db_pics/new09/rlkg072i.JPG]

Some of the best color Sphalerite in the world comes from Spain. A large percentage of the stones that come from Spain are on the warmer end of the spectrum, but rarely does one find a stone with a distinct green color like this from Santander. This stone has very good dispersion, color, size and excellent cutting. The color of the stone is a combination of green and yellow, and faces up to show a splendid array of color. This stone is amazingly clean for this material as it is very hard to obtain totally eye clean stones from this area. I would say the gem is very slightly included, but when you find a stone this color with this clarity, and in this size, it is a real treat. I have a hard time finding this color of Sphalerite from Spain, especially in this size. The cut on the stone is a Trillion Brilliant. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to own an attractive, good size, beautiful rare collector stone.


GEMS-053 - Fluorite - $ 950
Rosiclare level, Denton mine, Hardin County, Illinois, USA

thumbnail, 20.02 x 19.58 mm ; 48.37 carats
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Fluorite from Rosiclare level, Denton mine, Hardin County, Illinois, USA [db_pics/new09/rlkg053a.JPG]
Fluorite from Rosiclare level, Denton mine, Hardin County, Illinois, USA [db_pics/new09/rlkg053b.JPG]Fluorite from Rosiclare level, Denton mine, Hardin County, Illinois, USA [db_pics/new09/rlkg053c.JPG]

Hardin County, Illinois was long known for it's spectacular Fluorite specimens. Sadly this area is now completely defunct and this material will only be found in old collections and dealer's inventories. The Fluorites from this area are found in a myriad of colors, and because of the larger size of the crystals, some spectacular gemstones have been cut. Yellow is a fairly common color for Fluorite from the Denton mine, but is rather rare from most other world localities. One of the great aspects of Fluorite is the fact that large, colorful gems can be cut that are still affordable in bigger stones. This particular gem is a beautiful golden yellow stone that is virtually eye clean with a Square Emerald cut. This mine is one of the few places in the world where one can find a large yellow Fluorite in this quality. This stone would make for a splendid mate with a specimen from this mine to create a stellar "rough and cut" set.


GEMS-098 - Elbaite Tourmaline (var: “Rubellite) - $ 662
Minas Gerais, Brazil

thumbnail, 13.24 x 8.40 mm ; 6.62 carats
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Elbaite Tourmaline (var: “Rubellite) from Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG098a.JPG]Elbaite Tourmaline (var: “Rubellite) from Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG098b.JPG]

Tourmalines are beloved by dealers and collectors for their intense colors in various shades. The reds and pinks seen in Rubellite Tourmaline are some of the most popular colors for Tourmaline in the world. This stone is a "Cushion" cut gem with a fiery red-pink color. The stone has very very slight inclusions, and it is a very good size stone of this beloved material. It would also make for a very eye-catching piece of jewelry.


GEMS-095 - Crystal Opal - $ 625
Australia

thumbnail, 25.70 x 19.91 mm ; 24.92 carats
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Crystal Opal from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG095a.JPG]Crystal Opal from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG095b.JPG]

Opal is one of the most diverse gems out there. It's one of the few stones that looks just as attractive when it's crystal clear as it does when the stones are opaque. Despite its rather simplistic chemistry, Opals show a great range of color in many varieties. This cabochon cut gem is what is often called "Crystal Opal", with a white background hosting flashes of greens, golds, purples and oranges. When this stone is strongly lit, it shows great color flash and the stone is a solid Opal, not a doublet or a triplet, which makes a difference when it comes to value.


GEMS-093 - Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) - $ 350
Australia

thumbnail, 22.0 x 10.6 mm ; 4.73 carats
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Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG093a.JPG]
Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG093b.JPG]Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG093c.JPG]
Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG093d.JPG]Crystal Opal (Gemmy!) from Australia [db_pics/new09/RLKG093e.JPG]

Opal is one of the most diverse gems out there. It's one of the few stones that looks just as attractive when it's crystal clear as it does when the stones are opaque. Despite its rather simplistic chemistry, Opals show a great range of color in many varieties. This cabochon cut gem is what is often called "Crystal Opal", with a white background hosting flashes of greens, golds, oranges, blues, purples and reds. The stone shows a beautiful jelly-like appearance when backlit. In reflected light, it shows great color flash and this stone is a solid Opal, not a doublet or a triplet, which makes a difference in value.


GEMS-094 - Fire Opal with Color Flash - $ 575
Mexico

thumbnail, 24.80 x 16.35 mm ; 19.57 carats
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Fire Opal with Color Flash from Mexico [db_pics/new09/RLKG094a.JPG]
Fire Opal with Color Flash from Mexico [db_pics/new09/RLKG094c.JPG]Fire Opal with Color Flash from Mexico [db_pics/new09/RLKG094d.JPG]
Fire Opal with Color Flash from Mexico [db_pics/new09/RLKG094b.JPG]Fire Opal with Color Flash from Mexico [db_pics/new09/RLKG094e.JPG]

Some of the most well known Fire Opal in the world is from Mexico. These stones are among some of the biggest, brightest and most intense color Fire Opals from North America. There has been a surge in the price of fine quality Fire Opal from Mexico in the last few years, as the material seems to be more and more difficult to obtain, especially in such striking stones like this one. This gem has a beautiful, FIERY orange color, with the typical “jelly-like” appearance, but the most impressive aspect of the stone is the fact there is a milky zone that shows the highly desirable and seldom seen COLOR FLASH which is called “Contra Luz” ! When you maneuver stone in reflected light, you can see an array of bright greens, reds and yellows. These flashes of color are only seen in about 1% of all Mexican Fire Opals ! It is also a bigger stone for the material, and would make a great piece of jewelry, or would stand on its own as a beautiful representation of these classic gems.


GEMS-090 - Pollucite - $ 380
Afghanistan

thumbnail, 17.2 x 9.6 mm ; 5.15 carats
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Pollucite from Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG090a.JPG]Pollucite from Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG090b.JPG]

Pollucite is a very rare Cesium bearing Zeolite mineral, and one of the very few facettable Zeolites in the world. Cut stones are extremely rare, and are wholly appreciated by collectors. Strangely, this Zeolite is most often found in granitic pegmatites as opposed to igneous deposits like most Zeolites. Recently, some great gem quality Pollucites have been found in Afghanistan, and significantly bolstered the supply of gem Pollucites in the world. This gem is a remarkable, very very slightly included, colorless stone with an "Elongated Trillion" cut. This material is prized for its rarity, and all great rare stone collections need to have a good Pollucite like this in them.


GEMS-087 - Chrysocolla - $ 75
Miami, Arizona, USA

thumbnail, 5.0 mm ; 0.42 carats
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Chrysocolla from Miami, Arizona, USA [db_pics/new09/RLKG087a.JPG]Chrysocolla from Miami, Arizona, USA [db_pics/new09/RLKG087b.JPG]

Chrysocolla is typically opaque or translucent, and rarely does one see gem quality stones of this material. This stone has a vibrant blue color with a slight green overtone. This stone is translucent in areas and has a "Round" cut. The vibrant color in Chrysocolla is often caused by Copper, and that is the case with this stone. This would be a superb rare gem to add to any collection, especially a suite of U.S. gemstones, or even more specifically a suite of Arizona gemstones.


GEMS-085 - Chrysoberyl - $ 500
Minas Gerais, Brazil

thumbnail, 11.05 x 8.46 mm ; 3.64 carats
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Chrysoberyl from Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG085a.JPG]Chrysoberyl from Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG085b.JPG]

Brazil has long stood as a great producer of gem Chrysoberyl. Some of the best green and yellow Chrysoberyl gems are found in Brazil, and this is a splendid example of said material. Chrysoberyl is one of the most durable stones out there, so the wide range of colors only adds to the versatility of this material. This stone is a very handsome yellow-green gem with only very very slight inclusions and a standard "Oval Brilliant" cut. A beautiful stone and very good size for this material.


GEMS-083 - Andalusite - $ 280
Bahia, Brazil

thumbnail, 14.5 x 8.0 mm ; 4.07 carats
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Andalusite from Bahia, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG083a.JPG]Andalusite from Bahia, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG083b.JPG]
Andalusite from Bahia, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG083c.JPG]Andalusite from Bahia, Brazil [db_pics/new09/RLKG083d.JPG]

Though Andalusite is well known throughout the gem world, there are very few world localities for fine quality gems. This stone is a virtually eye clean trichroic red, orange and green "Cushion" cut gem. The multicolor pleochroism of Andalusite is distinctive and extremely attractive. It is difficult to find stones in this size with this clarity.


GEMS-082 - Maw-sit-sit - $ 175
Tawmaw, Burma

thumbnail, 14.6 x 11.9 mm ; 4.19 carats
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Maw-sit-sit from Tawmaw, Burma [db_pics/new09/RLKG082a.JPG]Maw-sit-sit from Tawmaw, Burma [db_pics/new09/RLKG082b.JPG]

This material only comes from one area in the world, and it is truly some of the most gorgeous opaque material out there. It looks like Jade, and although it is found near the famous Jade mining area of Tawmaw in Burma, the two gems do not have much in the way of a chemical relationship. Maw-sit-sit is a combination of many different minerals, and forms from high pressure metamorphism. It is actually a byproduct of the Jade mining process. It is also much more rare than Jade on a worldwide level. This "Shallow Oval" cut stone has the typical rich green color with black streaks like so many of these stones from this area. It is a beautiful stone, and highly valued on the market today.


GEMS-080 - Sodalite (var: Hackmanite) - $ 600
Afghanistan

thumbnail, 9.8 x 8.2 mm ; 2.04 carats
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Sodalite (var: Hackmanite) from Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG080a.JPG]
Sodalite (var: Hackmanite) from Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG080b.JPG]CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Sodalite (var: Hackmanite) from Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/Hackmanite204ct.JPG]

Since this new find of Sodalite hit the market a few years ago, I have been quite impressed with the amount of relatively clean stones out there. Sodalite is a very durable stone and that's why it is so popular among dealers and collectors alike. The gem variety of Sodalite is Hackmanite and it is tenebrescent which is the process by which a mineral changes daylight color after being exposed to SW Light. This stone is very tenebrescent and also fluoresces well under LW/SW UV light. The stone fluoresces orange under LW and light orange under SW. The Hackmanite will turn a slight lavender color after being exposed to prolonged SW light and then will return to normal color. This process is 100% repeatable and in no way hurts the stone. This gem has a very very light lilac color (nearly colorless), but it is certainly a larger stone and one of the cleanest pieces in this size range that I have seen. The stone is virtually eye clean, which is very difficult to find in this material. Make no mistake, this is a significant collectors gem. This material is retailing for HIGH numbers now across the board!


GEMS-079 - Titanite - $ 260
Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

thumbnail, 8.9 x 6.0 mm ; 1.31 carats
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Titanite from Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG079a.JPG]Titanite from Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/new09/RLKG079b.JPG]

Recently, there was a very limited find of superb gem quality Titanite crystals in the Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan. These crystals were not terribly large, but a few of them were clean enough to yield fine quality gems. This particular stone is one of the best gems I have seen from this find, and would make a superb addition to any collection, especially a Titanite suite. It is amazingly eye clean, with a brilliant green-gold hue and a Pear” cut. A superb quality Titanite from this exciting new find.


GEMS-074 - Apatite - $ 90
Madagascar

thumbnail, 8.0 x 5.0 mm ; 1.37 carats
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Apatite from Madagascar [db_pics/new09/RLKG074a.JPG]Apatite from Madagascar [db_pics/new09/RLKG074b.JPG]

Madagascar has stood as a source for some of the most attractive blue and green Apatite gems in the world. This stone has a wonderful caribbean blue green” shade which combined with the eye clean clarity and Emerald” cut makes this a very good Apatite gem of this classic material.


GEMS-123 - Danburite - $ 450
Mexico

thumbnail, 17.8 x 11.9 mm ; 9.66 carats
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Danburite from Mexico [db_pics/new09/rlkg123a.JPG]Danburite from Mexico [db_pics/new09/rlkg123b.JPG]

Danburite is one of those gems that aren’t often seen in today's market. It is a hard and durable stone which makes it great for jewelry. It is not an extremely rare gem, but there is truly only locality that produces good quality stones in larger sizes. This particular gem is a large, bright, attractive Pear cut stone. You don't see many 9+ (!) carat Danburites around, so don't miss out on this one. Stones like this are well above "collector quality", this is a very good gem.



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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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