Very Rare Gemstone: Pezzotaite - 9.81 Ct.. Sakavalana Mine, Ambatovita, Mandrosonoro Commune, Ambatofinandrahana District,...

Description

PEZZOTAITE

Very Rare Gemstone: Pezzotaite - 9.81 Ct.
Sakavalana Mine, Ambatovita, Mandrosonoro Commune, Ambatofinandrahana District, Amoron'i Mania Region, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

Not too long ago (2002) the Beryl group, which includes Emerald, Morganite, Heliodor, Aquamarine, etc., gained a new cousin in the Cesium and Lithium rich mineral: Pezzottaite. It was found near Ambatovita in central Madagascar. All of the material mined showed a purplish pink coloration different from the Morganite it could conceivably be confused with. At most, only 150 kg of this mineral was produced and, of that, less than 25% had any pretense of being lapidary material of cabochon grade or better. With the Pezzottaite zone of the deposit mined out, the potential for further recovery from this locality is grim. The largest faceted stone known was said to be 11.31 cts, which would make this one at 9.8 cts a very significant example of this exotically rare gemstone. It is cut in a cushion shape and shows the typically high level of inclusions seen in Pezzottaite. What little material that has come onto the market, has not been treated or enhanced. The stone was cut in Bangkok, Thailand, from material found in the original 2002 discovery.
Measurements: 12.50 x 10.98 x 10.31 mm, 9.81 cts.
Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Rainbow of Africa Collection

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