Most Expensive Emeralds Ever Sold

Emeralds are one of the most valuable and rare gemstones in the world, prized for their beautiful green color and high level of durability. Over the years, some emeralds have sold for extraordinary prices, reaching into the millions of dollars. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the most expensive emeralds ever sold, who bought them, and where they came from.

Emerald	Price (USD)	Buyer	Origin	Current Location
Teodora	$12.6 million	Unknown	Zambia	Private Collection
Rockefeller Emerald	$305 million	Laurence Graff	Colombia	Private Collection
Mogul Mughal Emerald	$2.2 million	Anonymous	Colombia	Unknown
Gachala Emerald	$1.5 million	Harry Winston	Colombia	Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Duke of Devonshire Emerald	$1.3 million	Unknown	Colombia	Private Collection

As you can see, the most expensive emeralds ever sold have all come from Colombia, which is known for producing some of the finest emeralds in the world. These emeralds are highly prized by collectors and investors alike, and are often sold at auction houses around the world.

Facts about Kyanite

 

Kyanite Information

Kyanite is a mineral that is typically blue in color and is used as a gemstone, although it can also be found in other colors such as green, orange, and black. Kyanite has a unique and interesting crystal structure that is highly valued in the gemstone industry.

Physical Properties

• Color: Blue, Green, Orange, Black
• Hardness: 4.5-7.0
• Luster: Vitreous to pearly
• Streak: White
• Transparency: Transparent to translucent
• Cleavage: Perfect, parallel to the length of the crystal
• Fracture: Splintery to fibrous
• Specific Gravity: 3.53-3.65

Optical Properties

• Refractive Index: 1.712-1.734
• Birefringence: 0.018-0.029
• Optic Character: Biaxial negative
• Pleochroism: Strong

Localities

• United States: North Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia, Montana, Virginia, Wyoming
• Brazil
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Myanmar
• Kenya
• India
• Australia

Ranking in Rarity

Kyanite is considered a rare gemstone, with the most prized specimens being those that are blue in color and have a high degree of transparency. Other colors of kyanite, such as green and orange, are less common but can still be considered rare depending on the quality of the specimen.

Uses

Kyanite is primarily used as a gemstone, but it also has a number of industrial applications due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Some of the most common uses for kyanite include:

• Heat-resistant ceramics and refractory materials
• High-temperature electrical insulators
• Raw material for porcelain and other ceramics
• High-strength abrasives

Healing Properties

Kyanite is believed to have a number of healing properties, both physical and emotional. Some of the most commonly attributed healing properties of kyanite include:

• Helps to balance the chakras and promote overall well-being
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves communication and self-expression
• Helps to alleviate physical pain and inflammation

Where to Buy

Kyanite can be purchased from a variety of sources, including gemstone dealers, jewelry stores, and online retailers. Some popular online retailers that sell kyanite include:

1. Etsy

2. Gem Rock Auction 

Favorite Color

The most popular color of kyanite is blue, followed by green and orange. Black kyanite is also highly prized for its unique appearance and properties.

Images of Kyanite

 

Yellow Topaz from Germany

According to a recent report in the Spring 2022 issue of Gems & Gemology, yellow topaz from Germany has been found to have high levels of the trace element chromium. This discovery has important implications for gemological research, as it may help to distinguish German topaz from other sources.

The researchers who conducted the study found that yellow topaz from Germany typically contains 200 to 500 parts per million (ppm) chromium, while topaz from other sources typically contains less than 100 ppm chromium. The researchers also noted that the chromium in German topaz is likely to be in the form of Cr3+, which is responsible for the gemstone's yellow color.

In addition to its scientific significance, German topaz is also highly valued by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts for its unique color and clarity. The gemstone is typically found in small sizes (less than 5 carats), but is prized for its intense yellow hue and brilliant sparkle.

If you are interested in learning more about yellow topaz from Germany, be sure to check out the full report in the latest issue of Gems & Gemology.

Topaz , meaning of topaz, its chemistry, crystal system, varieties , physical & optical properties, treatment and identification

Facets about Vesuvanite

Vesuvanite Information

Types

Vesuvianite, also known as idocrase, is a mineral with a complex chemical formula. It can have various colors, including green, yellow, brown, and blue. Some varieties include:

• California Jade - a green vesuvianite found in California, USA
• Chrome Vesuvianite - a green vesuvianite colored by chromium
• Magadi-type Vesuvianite - a blue variety found in Tanzania
• Wiluite - a yellow vesuvianite found in California, USA

Localities

Vesuvianite can be found in various locations around the world, including:

• Canada
• Italy
• Japan
• Kenya
• Mexico
• Tanzania
• USA

Physical Properties

Vesuvianite has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 3.3-3.5. It has a vitreous to resinous luster and can be transparent to opaque. Its crystal structure is tetragonal.

Optical Properties

Vesuvianite has a uniaxial positive optical character and a refractive index of 1.700-1.750. It can exhibit pleochroism and dispersion.

Healing Properties

Vesuvianite is said to have various healing properties, including:

• Enhancing creativity and self-expression
• Bringing calm and balance to the mind and emotions
• Stimulating the immune system and metabolism
• Helping with depression, anxiety, and stress
• Aiding in spiritual growth and transformation

Uses

Vesuvianite has various uses, including:

• As a gemstone for jewelry
• As a decorative stone
• For metaphysical and spiritual purposes
• As a mineral specimen for collectors
• In industrial applications such as refractories and ceramics

Facets about Rhodonite

 

Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a mineral with the chemical composition MnSiO3 and a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. It is found in metamorphic rocks and is often used as a gemstone.

Localities

Rhodonite can be found in many countries around the world, including:

• Australia
• Canada
• Madagascar
• Mexico
• Peru
• Russia
• Sweden
• United States

Physical Properties

Rhodonite has the following physical properties:

• Color: rose pink to brownish red
• Luster: vitreous to dull
• Streak: white
• Transparency: opaque to translucent
• Specific Gravity: 3.57 to 3.76

Optical Properties

Rhodonite has the following optical properties:

• Refractive Index: 1.734 to 1.766
• Birefringence: 0.032 to 0.036
• Pleochroism: weak to strong

Healing Properties

Rhodonite is believed to have the following healing properties:

• Helping to heal emotional wounds
• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Improving confidence and self-esteem
• Enhancing intuition and spiritual awareness

Uses

Rhodonite is primarily used as a gemstone, but it also has other uses:

• Decorative carvings and sculptures
• Jewelry-making
• Metaphysical healing practices

Taaffeite Details . The most rare mineral

Taaffeite Details 

History

Taaffeite was first discovered in 1945 by a gemologist named Richard Taaffe. At the time, he thought the mineral was a spinel, but it was later identified as a new mineral species. Taaffeite is a rare mineral and was only found in a few locations around the world. It was first discovered in Sri Lanka and later found in Tanzania, China, and Madagascar.

For many years, taaffeite was considered to be one of the rarest gemstones in the world. Its rarity and beauty have made it a popular choice for collectors and jewelry designers.

Physical and Optical Properties

Taaffeite has a chemical composition of Mg3Al8BeO16 and a Mohs hardness of 8.5, which makes it a durable gemstone. It has a refractive index of 1.719-1.720 and a specific gravity of 3.60-3.62. Taaffeite is usually found in colors such as lavender, mauve, and violet.

Under ultraviolet light, taaffeite can show a strong fluorescence. It can also show pleochroism, which means that it can appear different colors when viewed from different angles.

Rarity Rank

Taaffeite is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. It is estimated that less than 50 cut taaffeite gemstones exist. The rarity of taaffeite is due to its limited occurrence in nature, as well as the fact that it is very difficult to identify. Taaffeite is often mistaken for other gemstones, such as spinel and sapphire, which has led to many unconfirmed reports of its discovery.

Use

Taaffeite is primarily used as a gemstone due to its rarity and beauty. It is a popular choice for collectors and jewelry designers. However, due to its limited availability, taaffeite is not widely used in the jewelry industry.

Azurite Mineral History , Properties and Uses

 

Azurite Mineral

History

Azurite is a copper carbonate mineral that has been known since ancient times. The name "azurite" comes from the Persian word "lazhward", which means blue. It was used in ancient Egypt and Greece as a pigment for painting and in jewelry making. Azurite was also used by the ancient Chinese and Native Americans for ornamental and medicinal purposes.

Discovery

Azurite is found in copper deposits worldwide, especially in areas with arid climates like Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah in the United States. It is often found in association with malachite, another copper carbonate mineral. Azurite was first described scientifically in 1824 by the French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant.

Chemical formula & Physical Properties

Chemical Formula	Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Color	Azure blue
Crystal System	Monoclinic
Hardness	3.5 - 4
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	Light blue

Optical Properties

Azurite is a pleochroic mineral, which means that it shows different colors when viewed from different directions. It has a refractive index of 1.730 - 1.838 and a birefringence of 0.108 - 0.146. Azurite is also fluorescent under shortwave ultraviolet light, appearing bright green.

Uses

Azurite is a popular mineral for collectors and lapidaries due to its beautiful blue color and interesting crystal formations. It is also used as a pigment in painting, although it is not as stable as other blue pigments like ultramarine. Azurite is sometimes used in jewelry making, but it is not very durable due to its softness. In addition, azurite is sometimes used in alternative medicine for its supposed healing properties.

Pictures 

https://www.mindat.org/gm/447

Tawmawite Information's

 

Tawmawite Properties

Tawmawite is a rare mineral that has several unique properties. It is a silicate mineral and has the chemical formula of Cu6Hg3As4S12. It was discovered in 1974 in the Tawmaw mine in northern Shan State, Myanmar. Tawmawite is a member of the enargite family, which is composed of copper arsenic sulfides. It is named after the Tawmaw mine where it was first discovered.

Physical Properties

• Color: black, dark brownish-black
• Luster: metallic
• Streak: black
• Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale
• Density: 5.95 g/cm3
• Cleavage: {100} good, {010} fair, {001} poor

Optical Properties

• Transparency: opaque
• Refractive Index: n = 2.58 - 2.88
• Birefringence: none
• Pleochroism: none

Ranking of Rarity

Tawmawite is an extremely rare mineral and is considered to be one of the rarest minerals in the world.

Occurrence (countries)

Tawmawite has only been found in the Tawmaw mine in northern Shan State, Myanmar. It has not been found in any other locations around the world.

Healing Properties

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that tawmawite has any healing properties.

Uses

Tawmawite is a rare mineral and is not used for any commercial purposes. It is mainly collected by mineral collectors and museums for its rarity and unique properties.

Clinozoisite Information's

Clinozoisite

Overview

Clinozoisite is a mineral that belongs to the epidote group and has the chemical formula Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH).

Varieties

Clinozoisite has a few different varieties, including:

• Clinothulite
• Thulite

Chemical Formula

The chemical formula for clinozoisite is Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH).

Physical Properties

• Color: Green, brown, gray, white, pink, red, blue
• Crystal System: Monoclinic
• Hardness: 6.5 - 7
• Cleavage: Good in one direction
• Luster: Vitreous
• Streak: White

Optical Properties

• Refractive Index: 1.707 - 1.725
• Birefringence: 0.018 - 0.019
• Optical Character: Biaxial positive
• Dispersion: Weak

Ranking of Rarity

Clinozoisite is not a particularly rare mineral, and can be found in many locations around the world.

Occurrence (Countries)

Clinozoisite can be found in the following countries:

• Switzerland
• Italy
• Germany
• Austria
• USA
• Canada
• Chile
• Peru
• Russia
• China
• Japan

Healing Properties

Clinozoisite is said to have the following healing properties:

• Helps to reduce stress and anxiety
• Encourages positive thinking
• Can help to alleviate physical pain

Uses

Clinozoisite is used as a gemstone and a mineral specimen, and is sometimes used as a source of aluminum. 

Zoisite information's

 

Zoisite

Zoisite is a mineral belonging to the sorosilicate family. It has the chemical formula Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH), and it is often found in a variety of colors and forms. Here is some more information about zoisite:

Varieties

Zoisite comes in a variety of colors and forms. Some of the most well-known varieties include:

• Tanzanite - blue to violet-blue zoisite, first discovered in Tanzania in 1967
• Thulite - pink to reddish-pink zoisite, first discovered in Norway in 1820
• Anyolite - green zoisite with ruby inclusions, first discovered in Tanzania in the 1950s

Discovery

Zoisite was first discovered in Austria in 1805 by the mineralogist Sigmund Zois. Since then, zoisite has been found in many locations around the world.

Physical Properties

• Hardness: 6.5 - 7
• Density: 3.15 - 3.36 g/cm3
• Color: Typically brown, green, or pink, but can also be blue, violet-blue, or colorless
• Luster: Vitreous to subadamantine
• Streak: White

Optical Properties

• Refractive index: 1.69 - 1.70
• Birefringence: 0.008 - 0.012
• Pleochroism: Weak to moderate

Ranking of Rarity

Zoisite is not considered a particularly rare mineral, but some of its varieties, like tanzanite, can be quite valuable.

Occurrence (countries)

Zoisite can be found in many locations around the world, including:

• Austria
• Canada
• India
• Madagascar
• Norway
• Tanzania
• United States

Healing Properties

Zoisite is said to have a number of healing properties, including:

• Helping to soothe the mind and emotions
• Stimulating creativity and self-expression
• Assisting with detoxification and purification of the body
• Boosting the immune system

Uses

Zoisite and its varieties have a number of uses, including:

• Tanzanite is often used in jewelry
• Thulite is sometimes used as a decorative stone
• Anyolite is used in carvings and other decorative objects
• Zoisite in general is sometimes used as a gemstone or for ornamental purposes

 

Piemontite Information

Piemontite is a mineral species that belongs to the epidote group. It was first discovered in the Piedmont region of Italy, and was named after its place of discovery. Here is some information about piemontite:

Physical Properties

• Chemical formula: Ca2Fe3+Al2(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
• Color: brown, reddish brown, greenish brown, black
• Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale
• Luster: vitreous to subresinous
• Streak: yellow-brown to orange-brown

Optical Properties

• Refractive index: nα = 1.734 - 1.743, nβ = 1.735 - 1.745, nγ = 1.745 - 1.755
• Birefringence: δ = 0.011 - 0.012
• Pleochroism: weak, yellowish brown to reddish brown

Ranking of Rarity

Piemontite is a relatively rare mineral, and is not commonly found in large quantities. It is ranked as a 7 out of 10 on the rarity scale.

Occurrence (countries)

Piemontite can be found in several countries around the world, including:

• Italy
• Switzerland
• USA
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Tanzania

Healing Properties

Piemontite is believed to have healing properties for the heart and circulatory system. It is also thought to help with emotional balance and stability.

Uses

Piemontite is primarily used as a mineral specimen for collectors. It is also sometimes used as a gemstone, but is not commonly used in jewelry due to its rarity and high cost.