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Let's Rock => Identifications of Materials => Topic started by: Kosbare on May 02, 2018, 12:08:41 PM

Title: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: Kosbare on May 02, 2018, 12:08:41 PM

During my trip to Namibia I picked up some gold sheen sapphire from a local miner. I know there was only one mine in Kenya that produced this type of corundum but it is now depleted. Might have found something really cool but I haven't been able to drum up much useful info online. Anybody have any experience with this stuff? It is very cool regardless.

J.P.

Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: lithicbeads on May 02, 2018, 01:40:36 PM

Unfami9liar with it but I have cabbed sapphires and they are much harder than agate. Did they mention what mineral is included?

Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: gemfeller on May 02, 2018, 02:25:25 PM

FYI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB9bunJCLXA

Pretty interesting material; good luck with your cutting!

Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: rocks2dust on May 03, 2018, 10:52:14 AM

Quote from: lithicbeads on May 02, 2018, 01:40:36 PM

Did they mention what mineral is included?

I bought a few pieces of the Kenyan stuff in golden (more of a bronze look IMO) and silver several years ago. According to GIA report (https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2016-labnotes-update-spectroscopy-gold-sheen-sapphires), the needles are ilmenite (and/or hematite). Can undercut slightly. I really like the pieces that show the corundum growth patterns, over those that have plain sheen. Hadn't heard about this second source :smiley:

Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: gemfeller on May 03, 2018, 05:29:03 PM

The material reminds me a lot of some black star sapphires from Idaho.  Many display a gold sheen instead of a star and differ visually only because they tend to have a darker body color.  I don't know kind of inclusions cause the sheen in those stones but suspect they're much the same as the African gold sheen material: ilmenite, rutile, hematite and magnetite

Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: Kosbare on May 05, 2018, 07:25:01 AM

Quote from: rocks2dust on May 03, 2018, 10:52:14 AM

Quote from: lithicbeads on May 02, 2018, 01:40:36 PM

Did they mention what mineral is included?

I really like the pieces that show the corundum growth patterns, over those that have plain sheen. Hadn't heard about this second source :smiley:

It sounds like this is some of the first stuff out on Namibia... hopefully I got lucky and ahead of the curve! These have cool hexoganal rings...it should make some interesting pieces.

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Title: Re: Gold Sheen Sapphire
Post by: Kosbare on May 05, 2018, 07:27:54 AM

Quote from: gemfeller on May 03, 2018, 05:29:03 PM

The material reminds me a lot of some black star sapphires from Idaho.

I looked up the black star saphire and it is really similar. I would like to look at some next to my pieces and compare in person. I'm appreciating all the insight!

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