Rockhounding Clubs

by Ritika

The best way rockhounders may enhance their knowledge in this area is by joining a rockhounding club. Rockhounding clubs pave the way for rockhounders to meet people belonging to the same area and those who share the same interest. In addition, rockhound clubs also run organized trips to nearby localities which help rockhounders visit rockhounding sites in groups and explore the same.

Rockhounding is an interesting activity carried out by mineralogists who enjoy collecting interesting rocks and minerals. Rockhounding is carried out by people who enjoy collecting rocks and gemstones that are eye-catching or by serious rockhounders who collect rare gemstones, rocks and minerals and also exhibit them in the rock and gem shows around their country.

Importance of Rockhounding Clubs

The best way rockhounders may enhance their knowledge in this area is by joining a rockhounding club. Rockhounding clubs pave the way for rockhounders to meet people belonging to the same area and those who share the same interest. In addition, rockhound clubs also run organized trips to nearby localities which help rockhounders visit rockhounding sites in groups and explore the same.

A Rockhounding Club List for the United States

There are numerous rockhounding clubs in the United States and some of them to mention are:

Indian Mounds Rock and Mineral Club

Indian Mounds Rock and Mineral Club is located in Wyoming, Michigan and helps rockhounders share and study about various minerals, gems, fossils, rock, lapidary arts, and earth sciences. The rockhounding club also organizes field trips in addition to various other activities like informative meetings, shows, silent auctions, and sales. The rockhounding club also has an online club email group which helps rockhounders communicate new information.

Del Air Rockhounds Club

The Del Air Rockhounds Club is located in the San Fernando Valley area of California. The club organizes demonstrations, exhibitions, displays and lectures for rockhounders. The rockhounding clubs also takes rockhounders on field trips every month to local deserts and mountains for exploration.

Convair Rockhound Club

Convair Rockhound Club is located in San Diego, CA and conducts meetings every week Tuesday which helps rockhounders to share their ideas.

Fort Collins Rockhound Club

Fort Collins Rockhound Club is located in Fort Collins, CO and conducts field trips for rockhounders to areas like Canyon, Shirley Basin, WY and so on.

Cape-Atlantic Rockhound Club

Cape-Atlantic Rockhound Club is located in Cologne, New Jersey. This club is useful for rockhounders interested in geology and fossils. The Clubhouse is open for all members to carry out their lapidary work throughout the year.

Culver City Rock & Mineral Club

Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, also known as CCRMC, is located in Culver City, California, USA. It helps to promote knowledge and skills related to earth sciences, lapidary arts, paleontology, mineralogy, faceting, cutting, casting, polishing, metal-smithing, and field collection of minerals, rocks, fossils and other artifacts. The club is a non-profit Californian corporation that started its operations in 1960. Rockhounders can enjoy the frequent field trips to local collecting areas organized by this club. Members of this club can also reap the benefits by using the extensive library of books and videotapes present in this club.

Island Rockhounds INC

Island Rockhounds INC is located at Bellmore, NY. This club has an exclusive training for getting skilled at cracking geodes. The trainings are conducted by experts Bill Cascio and Tom Gangi. The club also has numerous resources like equipment, jewelry, mineral specimens, books and gems. Rockhounders can join this club and can enjoy the benefits of this wide range of resources.

Saint Lawrence Country Rock and Mineral Club

Saint Lawrence Country Rock and Mineral Club is located in Northern NYS, United States. The club hosts two major mining companies named as St. Lawrence Zinc and Gouverneur Talc, Co. In earlier days, collecting from these mines was allowed for members of this club. Recent rules state that members of this club can collect from the mines through prior permission only. The club organizes guest speeches from eminent persons in the field of rockhounding every month. This helps rockhounders belonging to this club learn and gain extensive knowledge in their area. In addition, the club also organizes for digs for its members throughout the summer season and the information about digs are updated on their site.

ROLLIN’Rock Club INC

ROLLIN’Rock Club INC is located in Texas, United States. The club conducting regular meetings every week at which members share their rockhounding interests and hobbies, converse and talk about their experiences. The club also conducts club shows at consistent intervals. The ROLLIN’Rock Club INC was started in 1955 at Corpus Christi, Texas. The Rollin’ Rock Club takes the pride in being one of the largest gem and mineral hobby clubs in the United States and one of the world-wide clubs with its members being present throughout the world, namely in United States and Canada, as well as in Germany, Australia, Greece, South Africa, Russia and other foreign countries. The Rollin’ Rock Club is affiliated with the South Central Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

Since the ROLLIN’Rock Club INC has members throughout the world, all its business and club operations are done online and through emails. The club has the practice of conducting a minimum of one official meeting every year which is generally done along with the annual show and convention of the South Central Federation. The club also publishes a quarterly newsletter named as RRC newsletter through which members of the club present throughout the world get to know each other and share their ideas and experiences. The RRC newsletter acts as a communication media for members with common interests to find each other and share their preferences and interests.

Fredericksburg Rockhounds Gem and Mineral Club

Fredericksburg Rockhounds is a gem and mineral club located in Fredericksburg, Texas. The Fredericksburg rockhounds club started its operation in 1968 and is a non-profit organization affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) and the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies (SCFMS). The club is of great use to people interested in gems, minerals, and fossils. The club conducts various activities for its members some of which are monthly field trips organized for nearby rockhounding sites, rock swaps, an annual show which is normally arranged in the month of January, an annual picnic which is generally organized in the month of June and a Christmas party for its members in the month of December.

Rockhounders, by joining rockhounding clubs present in their locality, reap enormous benefits like sharing knowledge, meeting people with similar interests and so on. Rockhounders can also get extensive knowledge from the shared resources like library books, forums, newsletters published by the clubs and field trips organized by them.

Rockhounding Books

by Mark

Rockhounding and gem books act a great resource for rockhounders to gain extensive knowledge in rockhounding, rocks, minerals and gemstones. Rockhounders must first select the books that match their interested rocks, minerals and gemstones which would help them in their specialized domain.

Rockhounding Books @ Jewel Info 4 U

Rockhounding and gem books act a great resource for rockhounders to gain extensive knowledge in rockhounding, rocks, minerals and gemstones. Rockhounders must first select the books that match their interested rocks, minerals and gemstones which would help them in their specialized domain.

Rockhounding Books

There are various excellent books, research materials and guides related to rockhounding and gem stones. Some of them to mention are:

The Rockhound and Prospector’s Bible:

The Rockhound and Prospector’s Bible is an excellent reference and study guide that speaks about a variety of rocks, minerals, gemstones and prospecting. This book, having about 136 pages, is written by L. J. Ettinger and it acts as a great resource for learning about rocks and minerals.

Simon and Schuster’s Guide to Rocks and Minerals:

Simon and Schuster’s Guide to Rocks and Minerals is written by Martin Prinz, George Harlow and Joseph Peters. The guide has all information the rock and mineral enthusiast would be interested in learning. The guide is divided into two sections – One section is for minerals and the other section is devoted to rocks. In each of the sections, the rocks and minerals are discussed with their chemistry and details like their appearance, classification, rarity, crystal formation, mode of occurrence, gravity of mineral, rock chemistry, modal classification fields, formational environments, grain sizes of rocks, and much more with related visual symbols in detail.

Fee Mining Adventures and Rock Hunting Expeditions in the U. S.:

The book named “Fee Mining Adventures and Rock Hunting Expeditions in the U. S.” is written by James Martin Monaco, James Monaco and Jeannette Hathaway Monaco. This books acts as a handy guide for all rockhounders in the United States. It details about nearly 155 collecting locations in the United States for rock hounding with deeper details about each site like fee mines, sites which have prospects for gold, and sites where rockhounders can hunt for rocks and minerals. The books details about the rockhounding sites’ interesting history along with regional attractions and camping information which will help rockhounders make their rock and mineral collecting trip remarkable and exciting.

Rockhounding Montana:

Rockhounding Montana is a book written by Robert Feldman. Almost all rockhounders would dream to rockhound in Montana, a state in Western United States. Montana has a historical lineage of inland seas which deposited fossils and minerals at the present rockhounding sites. This book gives detailed information about crystals, garnets, geodes, fossilized wood and also guides rockhounders to make their trip to the Yellowstone River. The book also details directions, with a glossary, directories and maps to museums, rock shops, and rock clubs which help rockhounders in their rockhounding. This book is a great resource during the geological journey for any rockhounders.

Northwest Treasure Hunter’s Gem & Mineral Guide:

Northwest Treasure Hunter’s Gem & Mineral Guide is an excellent book written by Kathy J. Rygle and Stephen F. Pedersen which any experienced rockhounder or even a rockhounder who is going rockhounding for the first time can refer to. This book has a variety of detailed information about “fee-dig” mining, rockhounding sites with maps and addresses. The book also gives detailed step-by-step instructions on panning for gold, sluicing for gems and other methods along with mining techniques for various minerals. Rockhounders can refer this book to visit commercial and historical mines, as well as museums with exhibits of gems and minerals.

A Rockhounding Guide to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains:

A Rockhounding Guide to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains written by Michael Streeter who was a rock and mineral collector from his early age and later became a licensed geologist with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This book is an excellent resource guide for all rockhounders to carry out their rockhounding adventure. This book gives details on rocks and minerals present at each rockhounding site, the tools rockhounders must take for rockhounding etc. The book also describes in rich detail the colorful history of mining and acts as an excellent educational guide for all rockhounders.

Rock, Gem, and Mineral Collecting Sites in Western North Carolina:

Rock, Gem, and Mineral Collecting Sites in Western North Carolina written by Rick Jacquot gives details about exciting locations in Western North Carolina which yields rare and excellent specimens of rocks, minerals, and sparkling gemstones.

Audubon Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals:

Audubon Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals is a field guide which features almost all important rocks, gems and minerals present in North American rockhounding sites with colorful photographs of the same. The book has a vast variety of minerals and rocks – approximately two hundred minerals and about forty rocks with detailed descriptions on each with their place of occurrence i.e. sites for rock hounding.

The Rockhounds Handbook:

The Rockhound’s Handbook written by James R. Mitchell is a book which is popular with almost all rockhounders. This books features the formation of rocks and minerals, tools that rockhounders must take for each rockhounding site, the legal aspects that each rockhounder must know before rockhounding at a site and preservation techniques of collected minerals and rocks. The book also mentions about minerals and rocks present at each rockhounding site. The highlighted feature of this book is the colorful photographs of rocks and minerals which attract rockhounders.

Rockhounding the Wiley’s Well District of California: The GPS User’s Guide:

Rockhounding the Wiley’s Well District of California, The GPS User’s Guide is written by Delmer G. Ross, a history professor at La Sierra University in Riverside, California. This book gives detailed explanation about the path or way to reach collecting locations for rockhounders along with their detailed historical information. The book has information about two dozen various rockhounding and collecting sites in the Wiley’s Well District and thereby prized to be a great handbook for all rockhounders who wish to rockhound in this area. It is sure that rockhounders would not need a map for rockhounding to Wiley’s Well Rockhounding District if they possess this handy book.

Rockhounding books thus act as a great resource for rockhounders since they give detailed information about rocks and minerals, rockhounding, fossils and gem collecting along with details on maps and locations for various rockhounding sites.

Diamond Flaws

by Shweta

Diamonds flaws could be described as inclusions that hinder the beauty same as the black image in beautiful full moon. These are inside as well as outside the gemstone and there presence always pinches because these flaws make the dazzling stone imperfect.

Why Diamonds Flaws are unwelcome

The flaws holds back the overall alluring look of the gemstone. Diamonds are known for its awe-inspiring sparkling when any ray of light passes through it. The light could be natural sunlight or incandescent light. The inclusions present in the gem obstruct its sparkle effect making it not so attractive. More the flaws in the stone less desirable it becomes therefore, flaws are always unwanted. Moreover, the monetary value of gem reduces if it has more number of blemishes.

Why Flaws Crop up?

Flaws appear due to the presence of impurities in the chemical composition of the gemstone. The most common impurity causing flaws in Diamond is Nitrogen. The total percentage of Nitrogen in the composition is 1% of the total mass. Also it can crop up at the time of gemstone processing.

Types of Flaws

– There are several types of inclusions found which can be divided into two broad categories viz. external and internal. External flaws are on the outer surface of the gem while the internal flaws are within the structure of the stone. External flaws can be natural or can be formed later but an internal flaw mostly exits naturally during the formation of the gemstone.

External Flaws

The different kind of external flaws are –

Scratches: These are referred to as thin lines on the surface. It is mostly formed when the stone undergoes the different steps of gemstone processing like cutting or polishing. There are very less chances that it happens naturally.

Fractures: Cracks within the stone structure that are unparallel to the cleavage plane are called as fractures. It makes by and large the appearance of the gem fragmented as it has no shape. These days with modern technique the cracks can be filled to improve the clarity but it is still visible.

Extra facets: These are formed when the raw stone is being processed at cutting stage. In order to remove the natural inclusions the stone is cut that result in the extra facets (sides). It is done to enhance the clarity. This external flaw does not spoil the clarity but due too many facets the look of Diamond is deteriorated.

Pits: These are referred to tiny gaps on the stone’s outer surface. Pits are very small and it can be seen with only magnifying glass. In spite of being undersized it devalues the stone’s clarity.

Carbons: The chemical composition of Diamond contains 100% carbon. Therefore, when at the time of natural formation the crystallization sometimes remains incomplete which results to some black carbon dots on the surface of the gemstone. These dots can be categorized as graphite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite. It affects the clarity to the large extent.

Cavity: It is formed when gemstone cutter cuts the raw stone too much to remove the big crystal inclusion. It looks like a deep opening in the stone.

Internal Flaws

: Diamonds possess more internal flaws than the external. These are visible less with the naked eyes. The different varieties of this category are –

Crystal and Mineral: Sometimes, during the natural occurrence small crystal or mineral lumps are left within the stone. These are so tiny that can’t be seen without enlargement through the magnifying glass. It impedes the clarity of the stone and also its value in the monetary terms.

Needles: The crystal or mineral inclusions in the shape of long thin needles are referred as needle flaws. In few cases, these can be of different colour that is clearly visible in the colourless Diamond. These affect the clarity but can also in special cases give a different attractive look to the gemstone. It is the only flaw which can be looked up because of its colour.

Pinpoint: These are the most commonly found Diamond flaws. These are the small crystals that occur during the natural formation. It is very difficult to remove these imperfections as it is very tiny. Too much cutting in order to remove this flaw variant might lead to the total loss of the stone.

Cloud: A different image is created when more than three pinpoint inclusions appear next to one another within Diamond. The image can look like a cloud, circle or any other formation. This is known as cloud inclusion. In the grading reports it is mentioned as tiny red dots.

Laser Lines: These are formed at the time of gemstone processing and are not natural. Lasers are used to remove the dark blemishes from the diamond and during the process few vapour like traces are left. These traces are the thin lines like thread hence called as laser line inclusion. Stone clarity is deeply affected by these lines.

Grain lines: These inclusion crops up in the diamond at the initial stage of formation. The reason is same as other inclusion that is improper crystallization. It can also appear at the time of polishing due to the disproportion in the hardness across the gemstone. It is very difficult to remove these lines during the cutting stage. If these flaws are colourless then it does not blots the clarity else the coloured grain lines certainly reduces the clarity.

Knots: The minuscule crystal lumps left back after the crystallization and reaches the outer façade of the gemstone then these are referred as knots. These are totally undesirable as it not only worsen the clarity but also the sturdiness of Diamond. Under the adequate light these knots are clearly visible.

Feathers: As the name suggests these inclusions are the referred to fissures that group together and looks like feather. It is usually seen in the gemstone. Normally, it would not disturb the clarity but if the length increases towards the stone’s surface then it might result in the breakage of Diamond as the hardness is affected badly.

Cleavage: These flaws are positioned parallel to the crystallographic planes of the gemstone. It is also a straight line inclusion. It does not emerge naturally rather a sturdy blow results in deep internal damage in the structure of the stone which leads to cleavage flaws. Diamonds with this imperfection should not be purchased in any case because it is sure to break along its length in future.

Intergrowths: This imperfection is formed when two or more other types of flaws are twisted together at the time of Diamond formation. For example pinpoint, needles, cloud or feathers form together leading to the formation of white band inside the stone. These are regular in fancy shaped Diamonds.

Girdle Fringes: These are also known as bearding or dig marks. It is formed when the raw stone is cut during the processing. These are thin lines like hair that assemble around the diamond’s girdle. Its presence is abided till less in number else more lines reduce Diamond’s brilliance.

These flaws are unquestionably not a positive feature of the gemstone but presence of few flaws is appreciated to some extent as they give a different look to the gem. When buying women’s best friend “Diamond” one has to be very cautious about these not-so friendly flaws. Be cautious, All the Best!!

Diamond Clarity Enhancement

by Shweta

Diamond clarity refers to the degree of transparency in the gemstone. If the number of flaws is less it indicates higher clarity and vice versa. Gems with more than 80% clarity are very rare in nature. Today, with new modern techniques it is possible to remove or reduce flaws and boost the clarity of natural diamonds. Mechanical treatments are widely used to enhance diamond clarity by removing the unwanted external and internal flaws from the stone.

Diamond Clarity Enhancement Treatments

Diamond clarity refers to the degree of transparency in the gemstone. If the number of flaws is less it indicates higher clarity and vice versa. Gems with more than 80% clarity are very rare in nature. Today, with new modern techniques it is possible to remove or reduce flaws and boost the clarity of natural diamonds. Mechanical treatments are widely used to enhance diamond clarity by removing the unwanted external and internal flaws from the stone.

Laser Drilling

This enhancement treatment technique has been found way back in 1980. Since then it has been successfully used for enhancing the clarity of diamonds. In this method, first a coating of amorphous carbon or any other energy-absorbent matter is applied on the stone’s surface. This is done because a diamond is transparent and with the help of this coating the laser beam passes through the stone easily. After the coating is applied, infrared laser having the wavelength of about 1060nm is inserted to drill tiny holes inside the gemstone. The size of these holes could be between 0.005-0.2 millimeters. The laser beam in these holes reaches the inclusion and burns it. The gemstone then is immersed in chemical solution to dissolve the flaws. The solution could be sulfuric acid or iron oxide. Once the imperfections are removed the holes are re-filled with the clear solution that makes the visibility of holes almost negligible.

Laser Drilling Leftover Marks

The holes made in the stone are so small that it has to be seen only through jeweler’s microscopic loupe. One can spot these holes as very small white dots on the gemstone’s surface.

Advantages of Laser Drilling

This method is widely used because it is permanent. The inclusions are removed forever and the durability and sturdiness of Diamond is maintained. The final look with respect to cut and shape does not change.

Fracture Filling

This treatment was also developed during the same time as Laser Drilling. It is used for filling the crack with the transparent glass-like solution. The solution used for concealing the flaws of the gemstone has a very low melting point and refractive index equal to that of diamond. The cracks do exist after the filling but due to the outer optical coating it becomes imperceptible to the normal glance. However, it can be easily noticed under the magnification.

Unfortunately this method is not permanent. The specially formulated glass filling can be eroded when the gemstone comes into direct contact with the hot sun. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the sunlight are powerful enough to eat away the filling. Even at the time of routine repairs the heat produced can also lead to glass filling worn out of the gem. The slight heat produced from the jeweler’s torch can also melt the filling. Also, cleaning of jewelry having the fracture filled might give the similar results. The glass filling melts at very low temperature.

Fracture Filling Leftover Marks

While filling the cracks with the glass-like solution there are some air bubbles that get trapped because glass is transparent. These bubbles are either seen individually or it gets grouped near by one another creating the cloud image. This is the most common left over sign of fracture filling clarity enhancement treatment. Secondly there are some flow lines within the glass. These lines are also called as flashes as they produce flash effects. These are referred to as such because the lines contain some light colours and it creates the effect when the gemstone is rotated. The colour varies from yellow, orange to electric blue or purple. The colour depends on the lighting conditions.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) suggests to look in for the unfilled cracks on the gemstone’s surface from the perpendicular angle to the fracture’s plane while the cracks filled after the enhancement process are more clearly visible when viewed from the parallel perspective to the filled fracture’s plane. This treatment is only recommended for stones of higher carat weight as the glass filling lasts longer. The small gemstone may not have fruitful results of this treatment.

The clarity enhancement processes might be picking up with the passage of time but are not completely certified from GIA. The Diamonds that under go any of these two treatments are referred as “clarity enhanced Diamonds” or “fracture filled Diamonds”. The price of these enhanced stones is much less than the natural untreated diamonds. Among the two processes the laser drilled gems are priced higher than the fracture filled diamonds as first treatment is permanent and second is temporary.

The acceptance of the diamonds that undergo these treatments is growing but problem creeps in when untruthful jewelers sell these clarity enhanced gemstone at the price of original diamonds to the innocent buyers. It is buyer’s duty to be careful while buying but jewelers must also maintain some ethics. The buyer should be informed which treatment has been used for the clarity enhancement of the gem and must be asked for the appropriate price.

The market is full of numerous attractive diamonds. Depending upon one’s pocket the decision could be taken whether to go in for the natural flawless diamond, gemstone with natural flaws or stones with enhanced clarity. It all comes with a price difference. The gem that has been processed to remove the flaws certainly looks of higher quality unless it is seen under magnifying loupe. Once it is mounted in the jewelry it is hard to tell the difference with the naked eyes. It can be a good option if it is priced accordingly and the jeweler is truthful and reputable. Enhanced or natural, a diamond is precious and to own it gives one great satisfaction and happiness. So the choice is yours!!

Tanzanite Mining

by Neelanjana

The Mererani or the Merelani Hills of Tanzania are the sole Tanzanite hub of the world. The sensationally attractive and new born mineral in the world of gemstones owes its birthplace to Tanzania where it was discovered way back in the 1960’s. The Merelani Hill area located just 16 kms south of Kilimanjaro Airport is another 70kms south-east from the district of Arusha, situated at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Some also have the idea that Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 in the Umba Valley located in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania.

This rare mineral was christened as Tanzanite in the year 1968 by Tiffany & Co. and its rarity has played a major role in its popularity in the market today. Infact the considerably large square mile area in the Merelani Hills is the only source of Tanzanite, and unfortunately this mineral is limited to this area alone. This tri-colored mineral with brilliant hues of Blue, violet and purple was discovered some 30 years back by the Masai tribesmen.

According to a local myth, the escorted a gentleman called Manuel D’Souza, a tailor by profession to this area enriched with blue stones, who was on a trip in search of Sapphires in Tanzania. It is claimed that a brush fire which was caused due to lightning, spread over a considerable area of land at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, caused brown zoisite crystals to transform to a deep blue purple due to the emerging heat from the fire that burnt them. However, though the discovery of open Tanzanite mines seemed like a jackpot to the tailor D’Souza, he was unable to hold on to this treasure. This was because the government of Tanzania took possession of the mines in 1971 and later handed them over to the State Mining Corporation in the year 1976.

In Tanzania, this gemstone is mined in four areas which are categorized under A, B, C and D blocks respectively. The B and D blocks are where the local mining takes place, whereas the remaining A and C blocks are restricted to foreign investments. The “Wana-Apollo” is a local term for small scale Tanzanite miners in Tanzania and they employ hundreds of local tribes in the mining process of Tanzanite. These tribes carry out extensive excavations to locate Tanzanite from their respective blocks. On location of a Tanzanite vein, the miners implement a process called ‘Bing’ and the groups of Wana – Apollo jointly put in the effort to exploit the discovered vein. There are a total of 430 plots and the small-scale miners of the Merelani township utilize local hands for Tanzanite mining in these plots. Merelani Hills are basically a township for small scale Tanzanite miners.

A tragedy hit the Tanzanite mines on the sacred day of Good Friday in the year 1998, when a torrential downpour of rain flooded the region for days together. The water from El Nino blanketed the entire area, taking the lives of more than 160 miners. Water engulfed regions in the mines up to 1000 feet deep, outside the Mbuguni township, located in the Merelani Hills, around 25 miles south-east of Arusha. Several safety measures have been implemented in the mines post this tragic flood incident and around 14 new regulations were set up. Roofs have been constructed in place of mine tailings in the entrance areas. The usage of modern amenities to mine has also been enhanced as compared to the past. Tanzanite is believed to have been mined with very primitive concepts and methodologies and though the use of safety equipment has been increased, there seems to be a lot of scope for further improvement.

In 2005 a foreign private company called “Tanzanite One Ltd”, took over the C block for Tanzanite mining and earned themselves repute in the trade, just like the “De Beers” who earns the brand name with diamond mining. The C block is infact the largest Tanzanite mine amongst the four blocks. The miners representing the foreign company, Tanzanite One Ltd have already excavated to a depth of 1000 feet and there is a concern is building up about the drying out of resources of this precious gemstone in the future decades.

However, parallel with this fear Tanzanite has indeed been a great discovery in terms of beauty and as well as utility in the fascinating world of gemstones.

Tanzanite Properties

by Neelanjana Ghosh

The gemstone Tanzanite ranges in blue, violet and lavender shades and is a form of the mineral Zoisite which is a calcium aluminium silicate. The colour of Zoisite ranges from shades of greyish brown to white. In its raw stage Tanzanite is usually found brownish and very rarely, blue, violet or deep brown irregular sized crystals, often with broken ends.

The Masai herdsmen are considered to be the first collectors of Tanzanite, the most newly evolved and popular gemstone in terms of beauty and rarity. This newly discovered gemstone came into the limelight way back in the year 1967 and ever since it has mesmerized the world with its beauty. It is considered as a birthstone for the month of December and is believed to have immense healing effects. In the Moh’s scale Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.

The gemstone Tanzanite ranges in blue, violet and lavender shades and is a form of the mineral Zoisite which is a calcium aluminium silicate. The colour of Zoisite ranges from shades of greyish brown to white. In its raw stage Tanzanite is usually found brownish and very rarely, blue, violet or deep brown irregular sized crystals, often with broken ends. However, on application of heat, the gemstone transforms into the hues of breathtaking violet-blue. One can apply heat to these crystals up to a range of 300-400 degrees Celsius. The heat changes the colour of these raw crystals to a deep violet-blue which is the most sought after colour for Tanzanite. The gemstones inherit the different shades of blue due to the presence of the mineral vanadium in it. If the Tanzanite is of superior quality the colour often ranges from blue to purple and further down to a reddish pink shade.

The gemstone emanates different colours when viewed from different directions or one can say that the effect is different from the different angles. The hues are blue, violet or brown. The brown colour is more predominant when the gemstone is in its raw stage. Usually the gemstone has a dominance of the blue and lavender shades, though the stones which are more towards the blue shade are categorized under the higher price bracket especially in the Asian market. The breathtaking aura of blue with a tinge of purple radiates elegance and grandeur which fascinates the eye. The rich velvety shades of blue in a Tanzanite can be equated with the grace of a blue sapphire at any point of time. The cut of Tanzanite, as of any gemstone is also considered to be of great importance as the supreme quality of cut always emphasizes the true colour, lustre and brilliance of the gemstone in the best possible manner. Tanzanite is cut in different classical shapes starting from round to various other fancy cuts that emphasize the brilliance and colour of this amazing gemstone. However, it is experienced that Tanzanite can be at its best form in terms of colour and cut when it is anywhere above 10 carats. The lesser weighed Tanzanite usually has the paler shades of blue.

A gemstone is always considered as a most prized possession for an individual and for a consumer owning a Tanzanite has always been a very special experience. It is not only for its beauty but also for its rare exclusivity that makes this gemstone so very special. After all, one should not forget that Tanzanite is many times rarer than diamonds. It is also the youngest member in the world of gemstones discovered in the 20th century and is available only in one particular area in the whole world that is Tanzania – from where it derives its name.