Also, a small find of the rare axinite species Axinite-(Mg) was hit and we procured the largest crystal, shown here.

This specimen and the previous piece were part of a small but choice lot mined in the summer of 2010, that featured unusually intense color in natural (unheated) crystals. It shows in a case without need for strong backlighting.This specimen is 62 grams, and measures just under 2.5 inches tall. It is riveting for its gemminess and intense blue and purple colors. The area of gem quality cutting rough in the top half of the crystal is of superior quality and would yield a fair amount of (intrinsic) value if cut. In person, it is stunnign and bright internally in a way that photos cannot easily convey. THE COLOR IS INTENSE...in the photos, while technically accurate, the lustre and brightness simply are muted. When backlit from the bottom or top, flashes of electric red can be seen (as shown in bottom photo), although again the photo simply does not convey the intensity of the effect and it is more red than purple, in person. The views here show all four sides. The piece is complete all around with no bruising or contacts at all. It comes with a custom lucite base for display. This is a MAJOR specimen for the size and price range, with a considerable value intrinsic to the quality of its cutting rough. It is good enough for any major collection and would be quite difficult to upgrade, I believe, without jumping to a higher price range yet (and then, it is very rarified anyways in terms of what may be available).

This specimen and the next were part of a small but choice lot mined in the summer of 2010, that featured unusually intense color in natural (unheated) crystals. It shows in a case without need for strong backlighting.This specimen is 85 grams, and measures just over 2 inches tall. It is riveting for its gemminess and intense blue and purple colors. What I really like about it from a collectors' point of view is that it is a fat, wide, laterally-presenting crystal whereas so many tanzanites of this size present a narrower view through the gemmy zones. Thus, you get a lot of display oomph for the price, compared to some others. The area of gem quality cutting rough is very high in proportion to the volume, and so a fair amount of value is present in the form of rough for cut gems. When backlit from the bottom or top, the colors light up in a merger of both blue and purple, with flashes of electric red (as shown). The views here show front, side (more purple in person!!), and then rear views with a shot lit from above showing the red color mixing. The piece is complete all around except only the most trivial of nicks and a slight contacting on back. It comes with a custom lucite base for display.

A sharp, very pale lavender-colored crystal of the rare magnesio-axinite which rarely comes from this mine (found summer, 2010). Complete all around, this crystal is MUCH gemmier and more lustrous in person, and is more transparent than the photos may reflect. Unusually, it has broad terminations with bevels, instead of the normally thinner terminations. 28 carats (about 6 grams)

This magnesio-axinite crystal (now called Axinite-Mg), is the largest I have seen in about 15 years of looking out for the stuff as it has trickled out in tanzanite lots. It is a large (about 40 grams) and frankly attractive crystal that, with its odd color palette is surely going to throw off most guessing as to its identity. It is not pristine - there is some minor edge wear around the edges - but it displays dramatically and, I think, is an important specimen nonetheless. From a small find of summer, 2010. Really unusual!

This is an unusually elongated crystal, which really stands out in a display! At approx 31 grams (157 carats), it is large and impressive for the price. In part, the price is low because it shows no red along the c-axis as most larger tanzanites do - although, at the same time we are fairly certain it was not heat treated (which can remove that effect) to enhance the coloration. Its colors seem within the range of natural patterns, in other words, and my source claimed it was not heated. From late 2009 production, this is a large crystal at a frankly cheap price (by weight, it was listed in a lot to me at cost of $12,500 !) for a big, dramatic tanzanite that can hold its own with tourmalines in a lineup.

A stunning, intensely colored crystal from a find of summer of 2010, that produced only a handful of such stunning pieces. They are noted for the intensity in "miniature size" that usually is reserved for larger crystals with a volumetric darkening of the coloration. This is a perfect, full miniature, complete all around and absolutely pristine. It has amongst the more intense red coloring on the c-axis as any I have handled in the past, and shows in a case without need for strong backlighting. Although it narrows at the tip and has less gem rough value than you might prefer, as a specimen it is really among the most showy pieces in its size class. For the miniature collector in particular, I would have to rank this as one of the best for its size in terms of overall impact!

A VERY LUSTROUS, glassy, super-gemmy crystal that in person just sparkles more than others for some reason. It has incredible transparency throughout 80% of its body, though the camera makes internal veils look worse than they are in person. The crystal is a very limpid blue on the front, intense purple on the side, and does show red color when lit up the c-axis from below. Unusually, there are two very thin "stripes" of green zoning on either side of the main face, that are more visible in person (though still quite subtle). I have seen very few tanzanites, with this odd color zoning effect. BETTER IN PERSON, this is a miniature that really stands out, without breaking the bank.

A beautiful, sharp, very chisel-like crystal that makes for a fine thumbnail example of these gem tanzanites. 15 carats (about 3 grams).