Untreated African Iolite 0.59 (PIOI059)

0.59 Carat
Deepest Violet
Medium Dark 75
Lightly Included

GRADING REPORT PIOI059

- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Iolite
- Carat: 0.59
- Shape: Pear
- Measures: 6.80x4.90x3.50 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Excellent
- Tone: Medium Dark 75
- Color Zoning: None (see comment)
- Clarity: Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Excellent (precision cut)
  > Brilliancy: 50%
  > Depth: 71%
- Origin: Madagascar
- Treatment: None

Certificate No: BGL M21174 (copy)

Overall Grade: Very Good+

Comment: Picked-out as a single gem from a selection of pairs, because of some lens-only inclusions (while the others were free of inclusions). Therefore, it comes with only with a copy of the lab-report and on sale. Nevertheless, a precision-cut ideally meeting the color-axis in which iolite fascinates with the most beautiful rich violet imaginable, adding purple and Kashmir blue depending on light conditions. Size, shape, or specific location of these pear-shapes minimize the pleochroic effect, meaning the beautiful hue holds its tone even when the gem is tilted. Only a 90+degree-turn begins to show a minimum change of tone and hue, surprisingly holding color even in the opposite direction. Though this minimal pleochroism is of more scientific interest, I will need to investigate why or how some iolites are so much more pleochroic than others, e.g. the 1.04. Perhaps a more scientific versed gemologe with iolite know-how drops me a line? For the casual gem-lover it is enough to know that this pear shape does not leak color when tilted and so could be used even in a open ring-setting since the sideview is as colored as the main axis. Durable in caring jewelry settings, similar to tanzanite (also in color) but far less costly. Inclusions only under the lens, a.k.a. 'eye-clean'. Great alternative also for a seriously expensive untreated sapphire in 7x5mm of similar color. Discounted for a copy-only report but other than that presented with all WildFish extras: free global shipping, grading papers, a plot of rainforest protected in your name and an animal represented in the court of human rights. Color as shown in hanshot below is just as in person, remarkable intense.