Gemmy Tanzanite (27.93 carats) with painting

Merelani Hills, Manyara Region, Tanzania
Thumbnail, 1.9 x 1.8 x 1.0 cm
Start Time: 09/03/2017 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 09/07/2017 6:31:15 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

A beautiful, very sculptural, parallel-growth thumbnail pair of gemmy tanzanite crystals. The blocky, tabular crystals have interesting striated rounded terminations, that add pizzazz. The larger crystal is nearly all gem, with the smaller crystal being a bit more included. The base is translucent. The glassy beauty has classic pleochrosim characteristic of an untreated crystal. The A and B faces are blue and blue-violet and the C face shows flashes of red. Complete all-around. A contact on a back edge with a bit of bruising is out-of-sight in in the primary display view. 27.93 carats or 5.5 grams mass. From the private collection of internationally known wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira (http://www.gaminiratnavira.com), who started collecting small mineral specimens many years ago after exposure to the mineral community in his residence of Fallbrook, California. For a number of years, Gamini made mineral watercolors for private collectors on commission for $500 each. For his own enjoyment, he also made watercolor paintings of all of his pieces, and the painting is included here with the specimen (7 x 7 x cm paintings set in custom 14.5 x 14.5 cm frames). This is a fine example of this painting skill.

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