Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 4:39 am Posts: 6 Location: China
Share some of rare and uncommon gems.
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File comment: Violet apatite from Brazil, color shift from violet(fluorescent light) to pinkish purple(incandescent light), up to 20+ct IMG_20210505_230722.jpg [ 4.62 MiB | Viewed 2666 times ]
File comment: Two 1+ct benitoites from CA, USA IMG_20210605_103545.jpg [ 3.08 MiB | Viewed 2666 times ]
File comment: Afghanites from Afghanistan, up to 1.5+ct IMG_20210603_183512.jpg [ 4.51 MiB | Viewed 2666 times ]
File comment: Lazulites from Pakistan and Brazil, up to 13+ct IMG_20210315_192115.jpg [ 3.39 MiB | Viewed 2666 times ]
File comment: different color dumortierites from different origin, up to 3+ct IMG_20210316_161712.jpg [ 3.19 MiB | Viewed 2666 times ]
Phosphophyllite, Unificada Mine, Cerro de Potosi, Bolivia
This was mixed in with a bunch of irradiated topaz from a vintage lot from a faceter;s estate. I almost faceted it but it didn't look quite right, even though it appeared to have perfect cleavage. I did a specific gravity on it and found a flat area that I got a RI on and went to my gem charts and went "Oh crap, one of those worthless collector stones". Then I did a little research and realized how unusual it was.
This was one of the first odd things I was able to identify using my rudimentary gem ID skills. Thank goodness I had the equipment and at least a little knowledge, as this is a 42 carat stone and is worth a lot more as is.
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20190602_132619.jpg [ 1.51 MiB | Viewed 2433 times ]
Here's a parcel of small sapphire crystals, bought around 1997 from now defunct geological supplier Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd in London. This is probably the most interesting find I've come across in my years of buying minerals. The label that came with this lot stated that the sapphires came from Montana, and at the time I had no reason to question this. However, once the internet became available, and I started to do some research, it became clear that the location was wrong, as Montana sapphires tend to be plate-like in form, and these crystals are spindle and barrel-shaped.
After some more research over time, I had suggestions that they were from the famous old Kashmir mines, and the appearance of the crystals would appear to bear this out. The colour distribution, the clay-like stuff adhering to them, and an association with what looks like tourmaline on a few of them all point to Kashmir origin. Alan Hart of Gem-A has seen this photo and he also suspects Kashmir. These crystals may very well have been found in the 19th century. Hopefully once this pandemic has fizzled out I can get the Kashmir origin confirmed. The largest crystals are approx 1 cm long.
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