Giant Crystals found at Tanzanian Gem Fields

Chaos Reigns as Giant Red Crystals are Unearthed.

by Richard W. Wise

©2007

According to my writing partner, globe-hopping gemologist Vincent Pardieu, a new strike of giant red spinel crystals has sparked a gold-rush mentality in the gem fields of Mahenge, Tanzania. Hundreds of miners have abandoned other gem producing areas and descended en mass on the area where red spinel crystals weighing 20-50 kilograms have recently been unearthed.

Pink spinel has been mined in this area since the early 1990s. A few reds have been found but up until now the most notable stones have been the pink-orange stones, with a color similar to that of some “padparadscha” sapphires. The material is found in alluvial deposits. The rough typically consists of small octahedral crystals or fragments that weigh 0.1–2 grams about 30% of which is facetable. (photo: Jeff Scovil)

This latest find located this August consists of a primary deposit of spinel found in marble. They are finding decently formed crystals topping off at 275,000 carats about 5% of which is clean top faceting material. Highly saturated red stones between 20-50 carats have been cut.

Stay tuned, a detailed report by Vincent and myself should appear on the Colored Stone website: www.colored-stone.com within the week.

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