Gem: Gahnite (zinc) Spinel
Weight: 0.375 ctw.
Dimensions: 4.3 x 4.05mm, and 3.1 mm
Clarity: VS+
Origin: Kaduna State, Nigeria
Treatments: None
Comments:
Gahnite is an extremely rare variety of spinel. Gahnite has zinc in the position within the crystal structure that is usually for Manganese.
Gahnite is a dense, bright, blueberry colored gem, that is highly sought after for it's beauty and rarity.
It's been found in Nigeria a couple of times in quality good enough for the lapidary industry, but it's occurrence elsewhere in the world is usually as dark black or brown crystals.
That makes these all the more special. These are my last two, from a very small purchase of these that I was able to make back a few years when they were being mined at Kaduna.
These are a great size to allow for good color to be visible. This type of gem tends to be on the darker side, but these two are able to show quite nicely.