Search
Diaspore
Ken Larsen
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Diaspore | NMNH G10560 | Turkey | 9.66 ct |
Gift of Mr. Yoshi Kirsch in 2008.
Gem quality diaspore only occurs in the mountainous region of Anatolia, Turkey. The gem exhibits the optical property called “color-change.” Diaspore gems turn from yellowish-green to purplish-pink depending on the light source. Sizes over five carats are very rare. Gem quality crystals were first discovered in the early 1980s, but have only been commercially mined since the early 2000s. Gem color-change diaspore is completely natural; it has not been enhanced or treated. This 9.66ct modified cushion cut diaspore was donated to the National Gem Collection by Zultanite Gems, LLC, under the tradename of Zultanite™.