Gem Tanzanite on Calcite

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2021 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 23, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.

This remarkable miniature is the rarest of Tanzanian finds, a MATRIX tanzanite with a GEM crystal of cutting quality smartly displayed against a contrasting offwhite calcite crystal! Such things are rare for two obvious reasons: firstly, nature does not give us many matrix tanzanites to start with, quite aside from the luck and work of discovery and extraction intact; and secondly, the gem crystals are mostly plucked out and cut. True gem crystals - not just gemmy and translucent but GEM cutting quality tanzanites, are quite rare. And, it is the lifeblood of the mine so few survive to the mineral market. It does have some internal fracturing, but nevertheless, this crystal is nearly 3 x 1.7 x 1.25 cm in size and it is that crazy quality that could indeed be cobbed out into gem rough, and cut to some degree, often the fate of such crystals. To find one in matrix of this quality happens only rarely. To find one on a complete Calcite crystal is ridiculously rare. The crystal is lovely. It needs very little backlighting to show the true and natural colors, including both blue and purple tones (as shown here...when you orient tanzanite in different light angles, it should show color change). Unlike most other matrix pieces, it is not dark, and not corroded. This is a little jewel, perched on a white calcite crystal - super rare! Specimens like this are one in 1000 - or rarer. Any matrix specimens like this should be valued highly (over $10,000), but to be gemmy and aesthetic as well...it is a prize suitable for any sophisticated collection. No repairs or damage, just a superb mineral specimen. Rob Lavinsky/Arkenstone Donation to Symposium Auction.