Ruby on Zoisite . Mundarara Mine, Arusha Region, Tanzania. ...

Description

RUBY & ZOISITE

Ruby on Zoisite
Mundarara Mine, Arusha Region, Tanzania

Over sixty-five years ago, a couple of prospectors searching the "bush," not far from Mt. Kilimanjaro, stumbled upon a weathered outcrop littered with loose Ruby crystals. After exposing the surface of the deposit, it was determined that where you were in the deposit affected the type of Ruby you could expect to find. Rubies of various sizes, shapes, and levels of color and transparency, were subsequently discovered and their relative positions noted. Most of the material that has been recovered, since that time, has been of carving and cabochon grade with a much smaller percentage being suitable for faceting, but when the production is as significant as this deposit has proven to be, even a small percentage adds up to unreal levels of value. Production from the deposit can literally be measured in tons. That being the case, the tonnage recovered is still only made up of individual crystals, frozen in their bright green Zoisite matrix. Out of all the crystals mined only a very few weighed more than a couple of kilos. The single crystal in matrix, offered here, weighs an astounding 100.5 pounds (45.6 kg). Great weight aside, the giant, 16 inch (40.6 cm), crystal shows the deep and even color consistent with the highest grade of lapidary Ruby, and accordingly has been carefully hand-shaped and polished, into a shining, unique example of lapidary art. To properly display the gorgeous aesthetics of the piece, a bespoke wrought metal stand was commissioned by the owners. It is included in the lot. Overall condition is pristine for the Ruby and the stand.
Overall Measurements: 16.0 x 7.0 inches (40.6 x 17.8 cm)

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