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Lot 1379
Superb Tanzanite of Impressive Size
27 May 2010, 13:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$18,300 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistSuperb Tanzanite of Impressive Size
Arusha, Tanzania
This gem variety of zoisite was first reported in 1967 when first found about 40 kilometers southeast of Arusha, Tanzania and was named for the country of origin by Tiffany’s Vice President Henry Platt. Until the late 1980s, it was at first too rare to achieve much popularity. Though still much rarer than the “big three” gems—diamonds, rubies and emeralds—tanzanite has become very fashionable and actually exceeded emeralds in total dollar volume in the last few years. This is particularly remarkable since most tanzanites being produced are in the two-carat or less range, have visible inclusions and demonstrate only medium or pale depth of color. Tanzanite combines the rich blue of fine sapphire with a tint of red-violet to produce gems of exceptional attractiveness. With the status of mines in doubt due to flooding and the export of rough to the West completely halted as of 2006, good material is getting harder to find.
The present gemstone is characterized by a rich, deep bluish-violet color, excellent clarity and luster and exhibits the classic trichroic qualities of the species—and a deep blue down one axis. Weighing approximately 71.98 carats and measuring 24.2 x20.3 x 17.0 mm
This gem variety of zoisite was first reported in 1967 when first found about 40 kilometers southeast of Arusha, Tanzania and was named for the country of origin by Tiffany’s Vice President Henry Platt. Until the late 1980s, it was at first too rare to achieve much popularity. Though still much rarer than the “big three” gems—diamonds, rubies and emeralds—tanzanite has become very fashionable and actually exceeded emeralds in total dollar volume in the last few years. This is particularly remarkable since most tanzanites being produced are in the two-carat or less range, have visible inclusions and demonstrate only medium or pale depth of color. Tanzanite combines the rich blue of fine sapphire with a tint of red-violet to produce gems of exceptional attractiveness. With the status of mines in doubt due to flooding and the export of rough to the West completely halted as of 2006, good material is getting harder to find.
The present gemstone is characterized by a rich, deep bluish-violet color, excellent clarity and luster and exhibits the classic trichroic qualities of the species—and a deep blue down one axis. Weighing approximately 71.98 carats and measuring 24.2 x20.3 x 17.0 mm