The color change gemstone has only recently been mined on a commercial level and although it can be found in various locations around the world the only major commercial source is mugla turkey. This deposit has become the source of mining operations producing exceptional specimens and gem grade crystals that are cut into gemstones. Most diaspore mined today comes from russia china brazil argentina new zealand the us and turkey more on turkey later. See what s inside discover the 17 practical steps to gemstone identification even if you re just getting started with gemology learn how you can use specific tools to gather data make observations arrive at an accurate id. Jewelers began to acquire some small stones during the 1990s but larger fine quality crystals remained a collector s hoard.
It is also called empholite kayserite or tanatarite and trademarked gem quality stones from turkey are called csarite and zultanite by the gemstone trade. From the 1970 s through 2005 occasional gems were cut from diaspore for collectors but in 2006 this mineral started being mined specifically for gemstone use. Diaspore is one of the three component minerals of the economically important aluminum ore bauxite. No reserve gemstones no reserve opals no reserve jewelry. It has a hardness of 6 5 to 7 on the mohs scale.
Diaspore is hard enough to make a durable jewelry stone but the typical light brownish color is not easy to sell. Diaspore is an aluminium oxide hydroxide mineral and gem quality specimens are extremely rare. The name diaspore also spelled diaspor or diasporite originally came from the greek word which meant to scatter and it relates to the way that the mineral scatters when it is heated. Zultanite csarite and diaspore what is the difference. Join our mailing list below to download a free gem id checklist tutorial.
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Gem quality transparent color change diaspore zultanite was discovered in the early 1970s. Despite the large turkish material this is a very rare gemstone indeed. Diaspore was actually discovered in the ural mountains of russia in 1801 but it wasn t faceted as a gemstone until the early 1980s. High quality specimens have excellent transparency and a color change from a kiwi green to champagne and pink depending on the lighting. The gemstone diaspore diaspore as a mineral has been around since its discovery as a species in 1801 but it wasn t until the 1970 s that this mineral was first faceted for gemstone use.Though most forms of this mineral are not of much interest to the collector large exceptional crystals unlike any others were found in turkey in the 1950 s in a commercial bauxite deposit. From the greek diaspeirein meaning to scatter because it falls apart in the hot flame of a blowpipe. Diaspore mineral specimen 18 65 cts cg 1701 gc. Though most forms of this mineral are not of much interest to the collector large exceptional crystals unlike any others were found in turkey in the 1950 s in a commercial bauxite deposit. Gem quality transparent color change diaspore zultanite was discovered in the early 1970s.
Diaspore mineral specimen 18 65 cts cg 1701 gc. Diaspore is hard enough to make a durable jewelry stone but the typical light brownish color is not easy to sell. It is also called empholite kayserite or tanatarite and trademarked gem quality stones from turkey are called csarite and zultanite by the gemstone trade. The color change gemstone has only recently been mined on a commercial level and although it can be found in various locations around the world the only major commercial source is mugla turkey.
