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!

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.