
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM

All auctions / Ethnographical / Extremely Rare Pleochroic Tanzanite Crystal GEMME Quality...


Exceptional natural rough 2.80-carat tanzanite from Tanzania, unheated and in its natural state. This superb piece stands out for its intense blue with blue-violet hues, its beautiful transparency, and above all the spectacular expression of its pleochroism, one of the most fascinating optical features of tanzanite. This is a specimen particularly interesting for a high-end collection: a natural tanzanite that has not been shaped by cutting and whose color has not been altered by heat treatment. Technical characteristics - Stone: Natural tanzanite – gem variety of zoisite - Weight: 2.80 carats - Dimensions: 8.6 × 6.4 × 5.0 mm - Origin: Tanzania - Color: Intense blue to blue-violet - Optical phenomenon: Pronounced pleochroism - State: Natural rough - Treatment: Unheated - Naturalness: 100% natural - Quality: Premium selection - Interest: Gemmological collection / natural specimen An intense blue and remarkable depth This tanzanite has a particularly captivating visual presence. Its color shifts between bright blue, deep blue, and violet-blue tones depending on the crystal orientation and lighting. Some areas appear extremely bright while others take on a much deeper blue. This contrast gives the specimen a vivid, three-dimensional appearance that is especially spectacular. The various natural surfaces of the crystal act as windows and mirrors, showing electric blue and silvery flashes when the stone is moved under light. A fascinating pleochroism Tanzanite is famous for its pleochroism, an optical phenomenon allowing the crystal to display different color expressions depending on the axis from which it is observed. This property is especially meaningful on a rough crystal: unlike a faceted stone whose orientation has been deliberately chosen by the lapidary, the specimen here retains several of its natural surfaces and orientations. By simply rotating the stone, its appearance can evolve significantly. It is precisely this interaction between crystal structure, orientation, and light that makes rough tanzanite a particularly exciting material for collectors. Unheated: the natural expression of the crystal This piece has a particularly sought-after feature: it is unheated. Thermal treatment is extremely common for commercial tanzanites to steer their appearance toward the blue and violet hues traditionally valued in jewelry. A tanzanite naturally retaining a charming blue expression without heat treatment is therefore of special interest: its color and character have not been artificially achieved by heating. For a collection focused on natural gemstones, this feature adds an extra dimension to the piece. An exceptional gemological story Tanzanite is a relatively recent gem in jewelry history. Its commercial discovery dates back to the 1960s in northern Tanzania, not far from Kilimanjaro. This blue-violet zoisite variety was subsequently named “tanzanite” in honor of its sole origin. Since then, it has become one of the world’s most famous modern gems, notably due to an extraordinary geological feature: significant commercial tanzanite deposits are concentrated in a very small area around Merelani in Tanzania. An extraordinary geological rarity Tanzanite is often described as being up to about 1,000 times rarer than diamond in geological availability. This comparison is not an official gemological value scale, but it perfectly illustrates the extreme geographic concentration of this gem. Diamonds are mined in many countries and continents. Tanzanite depends on a minuscule mining area on a planetary scale. Production fluctuates and high-quality crystals naturally represent a fraction of this output. The arrival on the market of beautiful rough, strongly colored, and unheated specimens is therefore particularly limited. This situation gives natural tanzanites for collections a character that very few gems can claim: their history is tied to a single, extremely restricted geological territory. A true collection specimen With 2.80 carats and dimensions of 8.6 × 6.4 × 5.0 mm, this piece has a very nice balance between volume, depth, and color expression. Its rough morphology preserves irregularities, reliefs, planes, and growth traces from its natural formation. These characteristics are not only aesthetic: they also physically testify to its geological history. It will be especially suitable for a collection of rare natural gemstones, Tanzanian minerals, untreated crystals, or specimens displaying remarkable optical phenomena. Collection and patrimonial interest The combination of Tanzanian origin + intense blue color + pleochroism + rough state + unheated + 2.80-carat weight makes this piece particularly appealing to collectors. Tanzanite also has obvious patrimonial value tied to the extreme concentration of its deposits. As with any gemstone, no future value guarantee can be made and a gem should not be presented as a guaranteed investment. Nevertheless, fine natural, unheated specimens constitute a particularly interesting category to retain in a long-term collection. A magnificent unheated rough tanzanite, with intense color and remarkable pleochroism, offering the chance to own in its natural state a fragment of one of the most singular gem environments in the world. General Terms of Sale – MineralsOpals: At MineralsOpals, your satisfaction is our top priority. All orders are processed with the utmost care, from stone selection to final shipment. - Shipping & timelines: Dispatched within 1 to 3 working days maximum, usually the day after the order. Shipping Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and holidays). Each package is sent via La Poste with a tracking number provided. Careful packaging: every stone is individually protected, then placed in a rigid secure carton. - Guarantee & customer service: 100% of shipments are guaranteed: if there is an issue, we always find a solution. You buy with complete confidence: full refund, replacement, or a goodwill gesture in case of loss or proven problem. If you have questions, doubts, or a specific request, you can contact me at any time; I will respond gladly as soon as possible. Trust & commitment Each stone is photographed with care to reflect its natural beauty. You benefit from personalized tracking. My goal: to offer you a reliable, human, and transparent purchasing experience. Thank you for your support. Feel free to browse our reserve-auctions to discover other exceptional products and follow us to stay informed of our new offerings.
Estimate:£0.84
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographical
Estimate:
£0.84
A rare opportunity to acquire an item of Cuban historical importance:
09/22/2026
£850
Est: £500

OCT 17 | 10:00 PM

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