RARE COLLECTOR GEMSTONES (fall 2010 update)

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RLKG10-152 - Bastnasite - $ 1850
Zagi Mountain, Pakistan
thumbnail, 9.9 x 8.3 mm ; 4.71 carats

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Within the last few years, the locality at Zagi Mountain in Pakistan has provided collectors with some of the finest quality and amazingly gemmy Bastnasite specimens. Typically the species forms in relatively thin blades and was never suitable enough for cutting stones. The new find in Pakistan has produced some very thick crystals for the species, many of which are of gem quality. The stones cut from some of these crystals are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors. They often have some sort of inclusions, and completely eye clean gems are very hard to find. This particular stone is very very slightly included and is a beautiful gem with a standard Oval cut. It also exhibits a color change showing an orange color in incandescent light, but actually shows a yellowish-green color under the light of "energy saver" (mercury-bearing) light bulbs. This stone would fill a spot in any rare gem collection, and considering that very little of this material has come to the market recently, it's a great time to snag one of these stones before the prices get much higher.

RLKG10-151 - Danburite - $ 450
Charcas, Mexico
thumbnail, 17.1 x 13.2 mm ; 7.86 carats

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Danburite from Charcas, Mexico [db_pics/new2010/rlkg151a.jpg]

Danburite from Charcas, Mexico [db_pics/new2010/rlkg151b.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 Wide Cut Korner Kite cut stone. You don't see many 7+ (!) 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.

RLKG10-149 - Analcime - $ 245
Nova Scotia, Canada
thumbnail, 9.8 x 8.8 mm ; 1.62 carats

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Analcime from Nova Scotia, Canada [db_pics/new2010/rlkg149a.jpg]

Analcime from Nova Scotia, Canada [db_pics/new2010/rlkg149b.jpg]

Analcime is one of the few Zeolites that forms in gemmy enough crystals for faceting. The Bay of Fundy area in Nova Scotia has been known to produce gemmy crystals of Analcime, though not very big. This stone actually looks a bit better in person, and was a real chore to photograph. Because the photos magnify to gem so much, they make it looks heavily included, and the stone actually faces up fairly well with moderate inclusions. The stone has an Oval cut, and is gemmy in areas. One does not often see gem quality Analcime (especially in this size !) on the market anymore as most localities produce chalky white crystals that rarely show any gem areas whatsoever. This stone would make a nice addition to a rare colorless stone collection, a Canadian gem collection, or even a facetted Zeolite suite.

RLKG10-150 - Serpentine (Bowenite) var. Chrome bearing (huge stone!) - $ 1450
Afghanistan
thumbnail, 18.7 x 9.7 mm ; 7.32 carats

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Serpentine (Bowenite) var. Chrome bearing (huge stone!) from Afghanistan [db_pics/new2010/rlkg150a.jpg]

Serpentine (Bowenite) var. Chrome bearing (huge stone!) from Afghanistan [db_pics/new2010/rlkg150b.jpg]

This material is rarely seen in faceted stones, and RARELY in 7 CARAT gems that are gem quality ! Bowenite is actually a variety of Antigorite which was first found in Italy. The name Serpentine is applied to a group of minerals and is not a valid species. This stone came to me labeled as being a chromium bearing gem, and it comes from a trusted source. The material is extremely rare in any quantity, but to find a stone with such great gemminess is really impressive. The stone is translucent and has a rich emerald-green color. The gem has a Shallow Emerald cut and is simply one of the best stones of this material that I have had to offer. If you're a rare gem collector, you can't afford to miss out on such a beautiful and large stone for the size and quality.

RLKG10-148 - Chrysocolla - $ 200
Miami, Arizona
thumbnail, 9.0 x 6.3 mm ; 1.57 carats

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Chrysocolla from Miami, Arizona [db_pics/new2010/rlkg148a.jpg]

Chrysocolla from Miami, Arizona [db_pics/new2010/rlkg148b.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 an Ivak 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.

RLKG10-142 - Mansfieldite (rare) - $ 165
Algeria
thumbnail, 11.7 mm ; 3.63 carats

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Mansfieldite (rare) from Algeria [db_pics/new2010/rlkg142a.jpg]

Mansfieldite (rare) from Algeria [db_pics/new2010/rlkg142b.jpg]

Mansfieldite is a rare Arsenate that forms a series with the better known mineral Scorodite. The material is rarely seen in any capacity on the market today in faceted stones. This particular stone is a Trillion cut gem that is virtually opaque with a light greyish green color. Honestly, I've seen very few of these stones, and I think it would be a great rarity to add to any collection despite the fact that it's opaque. This is certainly the largest Mansfieldite that I have had to offer in the galleries.

RLKG10-139 - Rhodonite - $ 300
Morro da Mina mine, Brazil
thumbnail, 8.8 x 4.1 mm ; 1.00 carats

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Rhodonite from Morro da Mina mine, Brazil [db_pics/new2010/rlkg139a.jpg]

Rhodonite from Morro da Mina mine, Brazil [db_pics/new2010/rlkg139b.jpg]

Rhodonite is rarely found in large enough gem sections to facet stones, and despite is simplistic chemistry, it is a relatively rare mineral. The only gem quality Rhodonite that I've seen is from the Morro da Mina mine in Brazil. These stones are rarely eye clean, but they are gem quality Rhodonite and very well known among rare gem collectors. This particular stone has a few slight inclusions, but the color is a rich pink (very similar to smaller Sweet Home Rhodos). The cut on the stone is an Oval cut. There's truly only one mine where you can get gems of this material in the world. I must say that since the stone is somewhat small it was not the easiest gem to photograph, and it does look very nice in person, even though the photos are a bit fuzzy. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful rare gem to add to a rare stone collection. Keep in mind that not all Rhodonite is pink, as there are localities that produce dark brown Rhodonite which is not nearly as attractive as this material

RLKG10-140 - Gaspeite - $ 100
Australia
thumbnail, 12.4 mm ; 5.01 carats

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Gaspeite from Australia [db_pics/new2010/rlkg140a.jpg]

Gaspeite from Australia [db_pics/new2010/rlkg140b.jpg]

Gasp�ite is a somewhat rare carbonate named after the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada. The material is virtually always opaque, and is this is one of the few faceted stones of this material that I've seen. The color of Gasp�ite is a very attractive light green, and this stone is no exception. The gem is opaque with a Trillion cut, but for rare stone collectors, this would make a great addition to any rare stone collection, especially considering that it�s a colorful stone.

RLKG10-137 - Mansfieldite (rare) - $ 300
Algeria
thumbnail, 13.9 x 11.6 mm ; 7.06 carats

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Mansfieldite (rare) from Algeria [db_pics/new2010/rlkg137a.jpg]

Mansfieldite (rare) from Algeria [db_pics/new2010/rlkg137b.jpg]

Mansfieldite is a rare Arsenate that forms a series with the better known mineral Scorodite. The material is rarely seen in any capacity on the market today in faceted stones. This particular stone is a Cushion cut gem that is virtually opaque with a light greyish green color. Honestly, I've seen very few of these stones, and I think it would be a great rarity to add to any collection despite the fact that it's opaque. This is certainly the largest Mansfieldite that I have had to offer in the galleries.

RLKG10-136 - Grossular - $ 100
Sri Lanka
thumbnail, 8.4 x 6.9 mm ; 1.76 carats

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Grossular from Sri Lanka [db_pics/new2010/rlkg136a.jpg]

Grossular from Sri Lanka [db_pics/new2010/rlkg136b.jpg]

Garnet comes in virtually every color of the rainbow. These gems remind me somewhat of the great "Cinnamon" Grossulars from the Jeffrey Quarry in Quebec, Canada. I've seen this material for a few years now and it is very impressive for Grossular both from the standpoint of clarity AND color. This gem is virtually eye clean and has a great light orange color with a slight peach overtone and an Oval cut. I think that this is a very underappreciated gem, and this color is not seen very often in Grossular so don't miss out.

RLKG10-134 - Apatite - $ 450
Durango, Mexico
thumbnail, 13.6 x 9.8 mm ; 5.92 carats

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Apatite from Durango, Mexico [db_pics/new2010/rlkg134a.jpg]

Apatite from Durango, Mexico [db_pics/new2010/rlkg134b.jpg]

These are some of the most classic Apatites out there. This material is well known for it's unique greenish-yellow color. This particular stone is a suprisingly clean gem for the size. This stone has an Oval cut and eye clean clarity. These stones truly are a lot less common to find on the market today than they were 10 years ago and it seems that the material has "dried up". A great collectors stone with excellent size, cutting, clarity and color.

RLKG10-133 - Fire Opal / Jelly Opal (rare green color) - $ 125
near Niquelandia, Goias, Brazil
thumbnail, 6.8 mm ; 0.73 carats

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ex. Richard Gaines


	CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:

A rare and unique color and occurrence for Opal unlike anything I have seen from Brazil, or virtually any other world locality. This stone was cut from a single piece of rough that was collected circa 50 years ago and was once part of the famous Richard (Dick) Gaines collection. We were fortunate enough to have a photo of the original piece of rough with Gaines' collection label. Green Opal is certainly rare, and to find vibrantly colored stones like this one is unheard of on the market. This Round cut stone is one of the few gems that I have seen of this material, and would make a superb addition to any collection, especially an Opal suite, as a stone like this is next to impossible to find even in old collections. Please note that the color of the stone is a bit more green than the photos might indicate, as they show somewhat of a yellow hue.

RLKG10-131 - Fire Opal / Jelly Opal (rare green color) - $ 275
near Niquelandia, Goias, Brazil
thumbnail, 10.8 x 6.8 mm ; 1.39 carats

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ex. Richard Gaines


	CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:

A rare and unique color and occurrence for Opal unlike anything I have seen from Brazil, or virtually any other world locality. This stone was cut from a single piece of rough that was collected circa 50 years ago and was once part of the famous Richard (Dick) Gaines collection. We were fortunate enough to have a photo of the original piece of rough with Gaines' collection label. Green Opal is certainly rare, and to find vibrantly colored stones like this one is unheard of on the market. This Pear cut stone is one of the larger gems that I have seen of this material, and would make a superb addition to any collection, especially an Opal suite, as a stone like this is next to impossible to find even in old collections. Please note that the color of the stone is a bit more green than the photos might indicate, as they show somewhat of a yellow hue.

RLKG10-132 - Fire Opal / Jelly Opal (rare green color) - $ 200
near Niquelandia, Goias, Brazil
thumbnail, 7.5 mm ; 1.25 carats

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ex. Richard Gaines


	CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:

A rare and unique color and occurrence for Opal unlike anything I have seen from Brazil, or virtually any other world locality. This stone was cut from a single piece of rough that was collected circa 50 years ago and was once part of the famous Richard (Dick) Gaines collection. We were fortunate enough to have a photo of the original piece of rough with Gaines' collection label. Green Opal is certainly rare, and to find vibrantly colored stones like this one is unheard of on the market. This Pear cut stone is one of the few gems that I have seen of this material, and would make a superb addition to any collection, especially an Opal suite, as a stone like this is next to impossible to find even in old collections. Please note that the color of the stone is a bit more green than the photos might indicate, as they show somewhat of a yellow hue.

RLKG10-130 - Fire Opal / Jelly Opal (rare green color) - $ 475
near Niquelandia, Goias, Brazil
thumbnail, 11.5 x 8.2 mm ; 2.33 carats

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ex. Richard Gaines


	CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:

A rare and unique color and occurrence for Opal unlike anything I have seen from Brazil, or virtually any other world locality. This stone was cut from a single piece of rough that was collected circa 50 years ago and was once part of the famous Richard (Dick) Gaines collection. We were fortunate enough to have a photo of the original piece of rough with Gaines' collection label. Green Opal is certainly rare, and to find vibrantly colored stones like this one is unheard of on the market. This Oval cut stone is one of the larger gems that I have seen of this material, and would make a superb addition to any collection, especially an Opal suite, as a stone like this is next to impossible to find even in old collections. Please note that the color of the stone is a bit more green than the photos might indicate, as they show somewhat of a yellow hue.

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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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