Tanzanite (282.09 carats)

Item Description

This impressive gemmy tanzanite crystal has rich color, riveting glassy luster and a strikingly sharp chisel termination. The upper third of the crystal is beautifully gem, with a bit of vertical crazing adding much pizzazz because it helps intensify the color. The primary sides are vivid blue with the purple on the ends being more subtle. Hints of red are noted on the bottom (also proving that it is not heat-traeated to enhance the blue and purple tones). Complete all-around! The front is nearly pristine, with only very trivial termination edge bruising. Very minor periphery wear on the bottom-left is noted, but has little impact to the display quality. The back edge of the termination has more bruising, but is out-of-sight, as is the noted periphery wear/contacting on the bottom-left. This is a gemmy, shapely and colorful natural unheated tanzanite with a robust size and deep color. At 282.09 carats or over 56 grams mass, it is a full miniature, not a slender representative as so many are, and a dramatic piece good for any display collection. Fairly valued at $3000-4000 retail, although many such crystals actually start in Tanzania at the sources at $100 per gram, and the original owner valued it more highly (it came in a large liquidation deal or I could never afford to buy it today in Tanzania, even, to auction and sell at this price range).