GRADING REPORT TRTA324
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Tanzanite
- Carat: 3.24
- Shape: Trillion
- Measures: 9.25x9.22x5.85 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good+
- Tone: MD60
- Color Zoning: Visible, shifting and gradual
- Clarity: Free of Inclusions
- Cutting Grade: Very Good (chip on table)
o Brilliancy: 95%
o Depth: 63%
- Origin: Tanzania
- Treatment: None
Certificate No: IGI 329861896
Overall Grade: Very Good+
Comment: Zoisite has made a remarkable story in gem-land. After its discovery a half century ago, Tiffany elevated the heat-treated blue variety to international fame with a well-financed and -coordinated marketing campaign, a la DeBeer's diamond, probably with a similar monopoly-status in focus. Unfortunately, or luckily depending on where you stand, the gamble failed, because, other than white diamonds, tanzanite ARE in fact rare and supply will end in ten years with very little geological chances for new mining areas besides the current few square kilometers near Kilimanjaro. I could not deduct any information about the financial result of Tiffany's investment but the market has splintered and, most importantly for us, many gem-lovers have turned to appreciate the unheated multicolored type of zoisite rather than the uniform blue-only treated tanzanite. And, oh girl, oh boy, are they pretty! The ultra-strong trichroism of zoisite produces a colorplay which may be unparalleled in the gem-universe (opals out). See this 3.24 in luster-maximized trillion-cut and try to count the colors; it is like counting stars. In addition, as shown in one extra image under tungsten light, they may also be called color-changers, here blue-green to purple-red, though this is not documented in the lab reports or perhaps they define it as part of the trichroism. These type of gems are very new to the labs. Enough said, let the images speak, and the facts: Full size, no window, no inclusions, unheated (green and purple as proof), well cut though with a little chip on the table (lens only), comes with original IGI report and all WildFish perks.
