The Color of Life… Chrome Green Tsavorites

This week we present a refreshing collection of chrome-green Tsavorite garnets originating from the banks of  Tsavo river in Kenya. This region in Kenya is the foremost source of the finest Tsavorite garnets the world has seen. Very rarely are raw crystals of over 4 carats found, which makes a cut & polished tsavorite of more than two carats highly sought after. These beauties pictured below have a vivid, radiant green color along with great brilliance…


1.26-Carat Eye-Clean Fiery Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


3.12-Carat Collector Grade Deep Velvety Chrome
Green Tsavorite


1.88-Carat Remarkable Vivid Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


2.08-Carat Rare VVS-Clarity Vivid Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


2.24-Carat Magnificent Fiery Deep Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


6.11-Carat Velvety Deep Chrome Green Tsavorite
Garnet


3.79-Carat Deep Chrome Green Oval-Cut Tsavorite
Garnet


2.25-Carat Beautiful Fiery Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


2.11-Carat Deep Chrome Green Cushion-Cut
Tsavorite Garnet


2.12-Carat Magnificent Deep Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet


2.12-Carat Cushion-Cut Deep Chrome Green
Tsavorite Garnet

Need more information? Drop us an email at [email protected]

Author: Harshil Zaveri

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News Update: Blue Sapphire Discovery Near Kataragama, Sri Lanka

In mid-February 2012, a new find of blue sapphires occurred southwest of Kataragama, near the famous Yala National Park on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. The sapphires were initially found on a road construction site between Kataragama and Lunuganwehera. The soil used to cover the road reportedly came from a small farm nearby that belonged to a Mr. Ranga. As news of the discovery spread, thousands rushed to the area. The Sri Lankan authorities responded swiftly and transferred 1.4 hectares of land around Mr. Ranga’s farm from the Forest Conservation Department to the National Gems and Jewellery Authority (NGJA). The NGJA held a February 24 auction in Kataragama for one-year mining rights on 52 individual lots.

In early March, with the support of the NGJA and some local traders, these authors visited the site to collect samples for the GIA reference collection. Upon reaching the deposit, located at 06°22’16″N, 81°17’18″E, we saw that it was being prepared to host an estimated 1,500 miners. Within hours the miners began arriving at their claims, and camps sprang up from the cleared land. Miners loaded the potentially sapphire-rich soil into bags to be taken away for washing. Only hand tools were allowed, as mechanized mining with excavators has been prohibited in Sri Lanka since June 2011.

At the time our expedition ended on March 9, we were unable to see any sapphires produced from the new diggings around Mr. Ranga’s house. However, we studied numerous samples reportedly found on the road construction site during the initial discovery. The sapphires were either fine crystal specimens or broken pieces with sharp edges and no indication of alluvial transport. Fissures and cavities were filled with a white powdery material. We saw several specimens up to 150 g and heard reports of fine crystals as large as 300 g. Although the material is often quite included, we expect to see some clean faceted gems weighing more than 20 ct. Many of the crystals showed distinct dichroism and color banding associated with layers of minute particles. Several gem merchants onsite were excited by such Kashmir or Burma-like new material, and at the time of our visit the asking prices were already remarkably high.

We were unable to see any faceted stones from the new deposit, although we expect that the combination of dichroism, color banding, and highly visible inclusions will present challenges to cutters. More information on the nature and extent of the new deposit will become available after the NGJA completes its geologic survey of the area and as mining continues.

Authors:  (1) Vincent Pardieu - GIA, Bangkok, (2) Lou Pierre Bryl – Gaspe, Canada, (3) Andrea Heather Go - Vancouver, Canada, (4) Boris Chauviré - Cholet, France

Source: GIA e-brief

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Featured Stone: 5.72-Ct Heart-Shaped Mahenge Spinel

This month we feature a sensational heart-shaped spinel from Ipanko, near the
town of Mahenge, in Tanzania. Mahenge has been known to produce some of the
finest spinels the world has seen in recent years – the finest shades ranging
from vivid neon pink to highly sought-after pigeon blood red.

This beauty displays a stunning pigeon blood red color with a hint of orange .
The stone is flawless and very well cut resulting in perfect dispersion of light
hence giving the stone exceptional scintillation.
 

   
   

Link to the product listing page:

 http://www.starruby.in/store/spinel/5-72-carat-collector-grade-flawless-pigeon-blood-red-spinel 

   

Best Regards,

Harshil Zaveri  

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March 2012 – Colombian Emeralds Collection

Bringing you an exclusive collection of eight top grade Colombian emeralds in 3-carat+ sizes. All these emeralds are full of life – the perfect blend of bright shades of green, exceptional clarity and superior sparkle.
 

 

6.49-Carat Splendid Eye-Clean Bright Green
Emerald from Colombia
 

5.87-Carat Bright Vivid Neon Green Eye-Clean
Colombian Emerald
 

4.46-Carat Beautiful Velvety Neon Green Emerald
from Colombia


3.17-Carat VS-Clarity Fiery Neon Green Colombian
Emerald
 

3.34-Carat Stunning VVS Fiery Vivid Neon Green
Colombian Emerald
 

3.27-Carat Lovely Bright Intense Green Emerald
from Colombia
 

3.22-Carat Remarkable Eye-Clean Fiery Green
Colombian Emerald
 

4.15-Carat Magnificent Deep Green Emerald from
Colombia

  

Best Regards,

Harshil Zaveri